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• Wine Shipments to Consumers Reach Record $4.2 Billion in 2021
  On the heels of 2020, a year of both record-breaking growth in direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping volume and extraordinary plunges in bottle prices, 2021 represents a return to relative normalcy, according to the latest Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report from Sovos ShipCompliant and Wines Vines Analytics.
  
  
• State of the States: More Work Has To Be Done to Ensure DtC Programs Success
  Only three states do not allow direct-to-consumer wine shipping: Delaware, Utah and Mississippi. Still, there's a constant effort to keep other states open and make sure that the wineries have access.
  
  
• WineRAMP forms to explore establishing Governmental Marketing Board under auspices of USDA
  A new initiative aimed at launching a National Research and Promotion (R&P) Program could grow demand for wine in the US market. The intention is to create demand for wine as a category, promoting wine's positive attributes to attract current and new legal drinking age consumers - and to create an industry voice and pathway for success. The organization is raising money and generating interest.
  
  
• Premium wineries rebound in 2021 but face tough sell with younger consumers, study says
  While the premium wine business enters 2022 in much better shape than it did when tasting rooms and restaurants were closed the first year of the pandemic, the industry's long-lingering challenges with adapting to change -- particularly, attracting younger consumers -- are hampering the recovery, according to a closely watched report.
  
  
• London Wine Fair response to ProWein announcement
  The London Wine Fair organisers have responded to the news issued by ProWein announcing that the event would move to 15th to 17th May, a direct clash.
  
  
• Distilled Spirits Council comments on joint UK-U.S. announcement to launch discussions on steel and aluminum dispute
  "This is a very positive development."
  
  
• Gabriel-Glas North America acquired by Jonah Beer and Kaulig Capital
  Gabriel-Glas North America has been acquired by Jonah Beer and Kaulig Capital from fellow Napa resident and founder Tempe Reichardt. Jonah Beer is an investor and Napa Valley entrepreneur.
  
  
• Vendor News: Vicard Generation 7 further expands tannin selection range with "Seduction" - A Unique Blend of French and European oak at a competitive price
  "Seduction" barrels are coopered to low, medium or high tannin and the extensive selection of toasting options.
  
  
• Vendor News: Climate Tech for Agriculture: Now is the Time to Plan for Smoke Taint, Extreme Weather and Other Climate Events
  Agrology unveils 2021 Smoke Exposure Report and discusses ways growers can begin to plan for climate change issues in 2022
  
  
• Flat Bottled Wines Make the World Go Round
  Santiago Navarro CEO, co-founder and entrepreneur of Garçon Wines, is sure of one thing: if we want to save the planet we need to dump the bottle.
  
  
• Western Square Industries Appoints Savannah Pender as Independent Sales Agent, Southern States
  Savannah and her company will transition and take over from Dan Humphries, Dan Humphries Sales Company this Spring.
  
  
• Cline Family Cellars Appoints Jeff Milburn Midwest Regional Chain Manager
  Prior to joining Cline Family Cellars, Milburn was the National Account Manager for Kobrand Wine and Spirits and has held sales management positions at alcohol producers and wholesale distributors.
  
  
• Winemaker Jaime "JJ" Dowell Releases First Wines with West Coast Wine Partners
  West Coast Wine Partners, the parent company of Sonoma Valley based Lake Sonoma Winery and Valley of the Moon, is pleased to announce the first wine releases from new winemaker Jaime "JJ" Dowell who joined the company in Spring of 2021.
  
  
• An expanded role for Kris Carey, Senior Vice President, Human Resources for Constellation
  "We believe our people are one our most valuable assets."
  
  
• Anthony Barton, Legendary Bordeaux Winery Owner, Dies at 91
  A dashing figure for decades in the wine trade, he raised Châteaus Léoville-Barton and Langoa-Barton to iconic status
  
  
• Broadbent Selections named US importer for vermouth brand Chazalettes & Co.
  Broadbent Selections, Inc. is incredibly pleased to announce its ap- pointment as the exclusive US importer for the historical vermouth brand, Chazalettes & Co.
  
  
• JaM Cellars expands Butter brand with launch of Butter Cab and Butter Bubbles.
  Made by Napa Valley vintners John and Michele Truchard (the "J" and "M" in JaM), the JaM Cellars portfolio features Butter by JaM Cellars--including Butter Chardonnay, Butter Cab, and Butter Bubbles--along with JaM Cabernet, Toast Sparkling, and Sugar Sweet White.
  
  
• Interview, Part 1: Tom Steffanci, President, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits
  Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits continues to be one of the most dynamic players in the drinks business, recruiting younger consumers into wine with Josh Cellars and stoking growth across a range of wine and spirits labels from both the domestic and import categories.
  
  
• Champagne sales recover in 2021, with cautious optimism for 2022
  The Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne announced total shipments of Champagne in 2021 rose to 322 million bottles, an increase of 32 percent over 2020.
  
  
• Untouched by Light -- the world's first sparkling wine made, sold and tasted in complete darkness
  The UBL harvest, bottle rotation and packing require the use of night vision goggles.
  
  
• Hard Kombucha Brand Flying Embers Lands $20 Million Investment Led By Beam Suntory
  "While the total beer category declined by 3% in 2021, the hard kombucha category grew by 50%."
  
  
• Napa City Council approves ordinance allowing retail sales of adult-use cannabis - napa register - paywall
  Adults will soon be able to purchase cannabis products at the city of Napa's retail cannabis stores without needing a medical use card.
  
  
• US to allow teens to become truck drivers to combat supply chain issues
  The program -- first detailed in a series of initiatives put forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) last week -- would allow 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds to drive the large vehicles across state lines.
  
  
• The 2022 Rhone Rangers Experience, Discover American Rhone Wines
  The national Rhone Rangers will host the 14th "Rhone Rangers Experience" on Sunday, February 20, 2022, in Paso Robles, CA. A full day is planned during the annual Presidents' Weekend event, including a "Rhone Essentials" seminar, Vintners' Luncheon, Grand Tasting of 200+ wines, and a Silent Auction benefitting the Rhone Rangers Scholarship Fund. Rhone Rangers from throughout the organization will be represented, including wineries from Paso Robles, Santa Barbara County, Monterey County, Napa, So
  
  
• Tickets Are Now on Sale for the 2022 Food & Wine Classic in Aspen | Food & Wine
  The 39th annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen will bring together the biggest names in food and drink.
  
  
• Seattle is courting a growing sober-curious crowd with nonalcoholic wines and booze
  Attitudes toward alcohol consumption have already been shifting, in part due to a millennial and Gen Z emphasis on health and wellness, as well as drinking changes during the pandemic.
  
  
• The Nines, an Elegant Supper Club, Opens in the Former Acme Space - New York Times - paywall
  Italian from the celebrity chef Fabio Viviani in Chelsea, counter-service tacos from Southern California, and more restaurant news.
  
  
• Trade Registration Now Open for 2022 Sonoma County Barrel Auction Presented by American AgCredit
  Never Before, Never Again Wines from Sonoma County
  
  
• NY state to allow beer, wine sales at movie theaters
  Cinemas in New York will be allowed to sell beer and wine at their concession stands for consumption while watching a movie, the board of the State Liquor Authority ruled Wednesday in a unanimous vote.
  
  
• Sonoma County supervisors, public health leaders hear alarm from hospital officials, calls from others to loosen events ban - press democrat - paywall
  A wide-ranging public meeting Wednesday hosted by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on the latest public health order banning large gatherings turned into a referendum about the merits of aggressive COVID-19 measures nearly two years into the pandemic.
  
  
• Greater Cincinnati winery, oldest in Ohio, acquired by public company for $25 million
  Read details about the deal at the Cincinnati Business Courier.
  
  
• A bottle of wine could cost $5 more this year as California winemakers grapple with a glass crisis - sfchronicle - paywall
  Imports account for 20% to 25% of the North American market. China had been the largest supplier for a few years, but deliveries shifted to other parts of Asia due to tariffs.
  
  
• Bill aims to change liquor distribution in Mississippi
  Legislature considers removing liquor distribution from state control
  
  
• Vintage Wine Estates Warrants to Begin Trading on Nasdaq
  With the initiation of the trading of its warrants on the Nasdaq, the Company plans to voluntarily delist its Common Share purchase warrants ("Warrants") from the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX"). VWE expects that the Nasdaq will provide its security holders with improved market liquidity and transparency for its Warrants.
  
  
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