Episode description

Today in Wine News

Silicon Valley Bank released its annual State of the U.S. Wine Industry report last week, and while there was some expected news about the continuing slump of American wine sales, other numbers are starting to trend upwards. Notably, the current downturn in wine consumption was likened to a similar downturn in the early 1990s, when Baby Boomers started bumping up their wine spending and thwarting the anti-alcohol messages pushed by organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

What patterns have Baby Boomer oenophiles created in today’s American wine industry? As wine starts looking to a newer, younger audience, how can Millennials and Gen Z wine drinkers use their influence to maintain a new golden era for well made and well priced wine?

Keep listening to learn more.

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Further Reading

* “State of the U.S. Wine Industry Report 2025” (Press Release/Silicon Valley Bank)

* “2025 SVB Report: Pulling No Punches” (Jeff Siegel/Wine Industry Advisor)

* “Good Times Ahead for U.S. Wine Consumers” (W. Blake Gray/WineSearcher)

* “California wine is in crisis. But for consumers, it could be a ‘golden era’ of deals” (Jess Lander/SF Chronicle)

* “‘We Can’t Be Passive Anymore’: Silicon Valley Bank’s 2025 Wine Report” (Courtney Schiessl Magrini/SevenFiftyDaily)

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In Other News

Here are some additional highlights from the week in wine news:

The Old Vine Registry is making serious headway on its registration goals. Over 4,000 vineyards from 39 countries have now been enlisted in the Old Vine Registry, a project that started in June 2023 with just over 2,000 entries. The Old Vine Registry has set a goal of registering 10,000 entries into its database by 2027.

* “Old Vine Registry Passes 4,000 entries: Vineyards planted in 1990 now eligible for inclusion” (Press Release/The Old Vine Conference)

It’s a great week to be a woman in wine! The Court of Master Sommeliers has announced the 10 women who have been selected to participate in the 3rd Annual Women’s Sommelier Symposium.

There’s some more good news for another woman in the highest ranks of the Court: Master Sommelier Laura DePasquale has been appointed as the new chair for Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America’s Women’s Leadership Council.

* “Women’s Sommelier Symposium Set to Inspire in Sonoma” (Press Release/Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas)

* “WSWA Women’s Leadership Council Announces Laura DePasquale, MS as New Advisory Board Chair” (Press Release/Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America)

And finally, because our favorite season is awards… Wine Enthusiast celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Wine Star Awards at a black tie gala in San Francisco. Held at the Westin St. Francis hotel on Union Square, Wine Enthusiast gathered the best and brightest minds in wine alongside the Wine Star Award winners for 2024.

A quick note:

A few listeners have asked about ways to donate towards wildfire relief for Los Angeles-based friends in the wine industry. United Sommeliers Foundation is currently accepting applications for emergency specific aid due to the L.A. wildfires, and they are a 501(c)3 non-profit doing incredible work to make sure that no somm is left behind. To make a donation, go to UnitedSommeliersFoundation.org, listed below in the show notes. Fellow wine writer and movie lover Dave Baxter has also compiled a fantastic list of resources, also available below.

* “Wine Star Awards 2024” (Wine Enthusiast)

* United Sommeliers Foundation website

* “Los Angeles Wildfire Wine Relief” (Dave Baxter/Wine And…)

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That’s all the news this week. Thank you for listening to The Wine Press!

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We’ll be back next week with a new crop of wine news. Until then, cheers, and happy drinking!