Silicon Valley Bank’s 2025 Direct‑to‑Consumer Wine Report is here.
In an industry where equal numbers of wineries are growing and shrinking, Silicon Valley Bank finds that the long‑anticipated tipping point has arrived: direct‑to‑consumer (DtC) sales now account for 73% of the average winery’s revenue—a level of control that is crucial in the wake of wholesale pressure. The 70-page report shows that DtC is no longer just a pandemic pivot, but a central—and evolving—pillar of winery strategy amid shifting consumer behaviors, Tariffs, and other economic pressures.
Times Union – Legislature Approves Retail-To-Retail Alcohol Sales
The Bottom line here is this: You own a bar or restaurant, you run out of say… Gin. You can now legally go across the street and buy a bottle of Gin. Yep, that is illegal in most states, but New York is addressing the issue. From the article:
While its effect may not be especially visible to the public, advocates say the change helps bars and restaurants, many of which currently rely only on weekly or bimonthly deliveries from wholesalers, to avoid disappointing customers by running out of a product. It would also legalize a not-uncommon practice that can result in fines of $1,500 or more if the State Liquor Authority catches a violator. The bill permits a business licensed for on-premises alcohol consumption to buy up to six bottles per week of wine and/or spirits from an off-premises licensee (e.g., liquor store).
Wine-Searcher – Navigating Wine’s New Benchmark Regions
Kathleen Willcox, writing for Wine-Searcher, examines how shifting consumer values, climate pressures, and pricing volatility are redefining what we consider the world’s “benchmark” wine regions. In this forward-looking piece, she highlights the rise of new global standouts that prioritize sustainability, distinctiveness, and value over legacy status. This is a long read, but here is one quick takeaway from the article:
The Next Next Big Thing – For many of the regions that are on their way to becoming benchmark material, remoteness in geography, tempered by a relaxed approach to hospitality (read: the opposite approach of typical wine regions) is also a factor. Perhaps counterintuitively, amid an era of declining visitorship to major wine regions, being difficult to get to can make a place seem more destination worthy. These regions also showcase a more diverse range of grapes and styles – and a more accessible price point.
Wine Enthusiast Podcast – Will Gen Z Ever Drink Wine?
Let me answer that… Yes. They will. Seems like the love of wine comes later in life for all generations (in the USA anyway. From the article:
In 1998, The New York Times said, “Young people, the 21- to 29-year-olds, are turning away from wine…For the $13-billion-a-year wine industry, the loss of so many potential consumers couldn’t come at a worse time.”
In 2016, The New York Post ran a headline, “Millennials are ruining the American wine industry.”
Fast-forward to the current generational panic in the wine industry—this time, regarding the 13- to 29-year-olds that make up Generation Z.
Flying Goat Cellars in Lompoc, CA
Flying Goat Cellars has been crafting wine in Santa Barbara County since 2000, with a special focus on méthode champenoise sparkling wines and vineyard-designated Pinot Noir. While the Pinots are solid, the real standouts here are the sparkling wines, proving that Santa Barbara bubbles can hold their own.
2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont”
You know those wines that make you raise an eyebrow the moment they hit your glass? Not because they’re flashy or trying too hard—but because they’re quietly, unmistakably composed? The 2016 Pinot Gris Grand Cru “Florimont” from Kuentz-Bas is that kind of wine. With its deep amber hue and delicate aromas of orchard fruit and honeysuckle, it invites a slower pace and a more generous pour. And once it’s in the glass, it unfolds like a well-told story—layer by layer, never in a rush, and always with something just a little unexpected. It’s the kind of white that makes you reconsider what Pinot Gris can actually do when it’s treated with care, grown on the right slope, and given a little time to mature.
Nestled in the heart of Paso Robles at 1845 Spring Street, in bloom has quickly become a standout in the local dining scene since its opening in 2022. With a commendable 4.3-star rating from 141 Google reviews, this establishment has garnered praise for its commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients and innovative menu offerings.
In Bloom has earned significant recognition in the culinary world despite being a relatively young establishment. It was featured in the Michelin Guide in both 2022 and 2023, a testament to its refined yet approachable farm-to-table concept. Additionally, Wine Spectator has honored the restaurant with its “Award of Excellence” in 2023 and 2024, highlighting its impressive wine program and dedication to pairing outstanding dishes with exceptional wines.
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