NEWS FETCH — February 15, 2018

TOP NEWS

• Silicon Valley Bank Predicts the US Wine Industry is at the Tail End of a 20-Year Growth Period
• Millennials way behind Boomers & GenX for wine consumption says Silicon Valley Bank
• For Australian winemakers, Chinese relationships are bearing fruit
• Drought Conditions Spread Across the West – Are We Ready?
• Here’s how to avoid costly mistakes by managing your barrel inventory with bar codes – Click now to learn how. *Sponsored Link*

ICYMI (IN CASE YOU MISSED IT)

• Constellation Brands names Bill Newlands President/ COO; Rob Sands Remains CEO
• Looking for wines to import into the U.S.? Find international producers on “Route USA” at the ProWein 2018 trade fair. Click to lean more. *Sponsored link*

WINE SUPPLY & CONSUMPTION

• Lodi’s grape crop lags slightly behind state
• Wine grape production on Central Coast increases
• Chile to overtake France, Italy, and Spain as UK’s second biggest importer
• Save now! — Vinexpo New York: March 5 & 6 – Register to Attend with Wine Industry Insight Discount Code: WII100 & Save $50 *Sponsored Link*

CALIFORNIA BRIEFS

• Loose Lips Sink Ships—And Can Cost Employers Lots Of Money
• Saint Helena Winery Announces New Winemaker Lindsey Wallingford
• Silverado Vineyards announces new sales directors
• Napa Valley’s Burgess Cellars promotes winemaker to GM
• Wine Women Launches 2018 Events Schedule
• TSG Promotes Adam Hemmer to Vice President
• All-women winery thrives in Paso Robles (video)
• Become an Exhibitor By Feb 10 and Meet Distributors, Retailers and Importers at the 2018 USA Trade Tasting and Get 2 Day ABID Conference Ticket Included *Sponsored Link*

CA WILDFIRES

• Sonoma, Santa Rosa set April 9 deadline for private fire debris cleanup

TAKING THE HIGH ROADS

• Cannabis Drinks Expo Launched By Beverage Trade Network will bring the global Cannabis drinks industry into one roof. Get more information here. *Sponsored Link*

AMAZON

• Amazon + Clover Is Likely A Blessing And A Curse

DROUGHT/WATER

• Santa Barbara’s Drought Upgraded from ‘Moderate’ to ‘Severe’
• Cloud Seeding Really Does Work to Artificially Induce Snowfall
• Study: California’s Delta Tunnels Plan Makes Economic Sense

RECYCLED WASTEWATER

• Research finds treated winery wastewater can be used to irrigate cash crops

CONSUMER SALES: DTC, ON- & OFF-PREMISE

• Online marketing training for wineries launches with social media strategy course *Sponsored link*

REAL ESTATE – What’s this new section about?

PUBLIC COMPANIES

• Molson Coors reports sales of over $11 billion in 2017

FINANCE, INVESTMENT, M&A

• The price of everything from wine to college tuition keeps climbing in the US. How worried should you be?
• Moldovan winemaker pivots away from Russia, lists shares

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

• Trump administration signals progress on NAFTA

DISTRIBUTORS

• The Winebow Group Appoints Master Sommelier Ron Edwards as Director of Wine Education (PDF)
• Looking to grow your distribution in the US? Here is how USATT can help!*Sponsored Link*

INVESTING IN WINE, COLLECTING & AUCTIONS

• iDealwine update: Thirsty work pays off
• Mystery collector’s HK$60M cellar to be auctioned for charity
• How Bordeaux 2008 wines taste now

HEALTH

• Getting alcohol from mom or dad doesn’t prevent risky drinking

WINE SELECTION AND RECOMMENDATION

• There are Reasons Why Good Wine is Expensive
• Alaska Airlines expands Wine Flies Free program along the West Coast

MARKETING & SALES

• Curb appeal: Are you ready for Click & Collect?
• Online marketing training for wineries launches with social media strategy course *Sponsored link*

PACKAGING, LABELS & CORKS

• China’s wine drinkers embrace cork, to Portugal’s delight
• Amcor Capsules opens new facility in Scotland
• Enough with the Champagne glass conspiracy already – can’t we just drink and enjoy?
• OZ: Soaring wine exports to China boosts bottle-maker Orora

TRADE SHOWS & CONFERENCES

• Underdog Varieties – Wines that deserve a second chance *Sponsored link*

PAYMENTS

• Bitcoin is testing $9,000, but Litecoin is the one to watch
• As Stripe backs away from crypto payments, Coinbase offers a new solution for e-commerce

IT: INFORMATION [AND] TECHNOLOGY

• Virtual Bar Start-Up QYK Plans to Use Patented Blockchain Technology to Disrupt the Alcohol Industry

MANAGEMENT & EMPLOYMENT

• Employer and Employee Know Your Rights Training: workshop on March 3 in Sebastopol (PDF)
• California employers get clarity on Immigrant Worker Protection Act
• 3 Strategies For Work-Life Balance In The Wine And Spirits Industry

MEDIA MATTERS

• So Neal, What Can I Expect?

WINE PEOPLE

• Unfiltered: Stephane Giornal, Vinoteca
• Three wine industry entrepreneurs
• Anne Parent of Domaine Parent in Burgundy (podcast)
• Dave Nakaji – Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery (podcast)

WINE TOURISM

• Tasting Room Design that is Redefining the Winery Experience

NORTH AMERICAN REGIONAL WINE NEWS

• Vintner creates scholarship for N.H. women
• Work ‘ongoing’ as federal, Pa. officials start plan to control the spotted lanternfly
• April declared BC Wine Month to counter Alberta wine boycott
• NY: Business enhancement program offered to farmers

AG, GROWER & CELLAR NEWS

• Problems with herbicide-resistant weeds become crystal clear

EUROPE & THE UK

• Opinions Split Over Pommard Promotion
• Courts raise Mallya’s weekly spending limit to £18,000
• The Wine Society CEO McMillan steps down
• Sparkling wine, Chile and premium spirits forecast to continue to buck UK downward consumption trend

ASIA & PACIFIC RIM

• Sparkling wine ready to break through in Chinese market

SOUTH AFRICA

• South Africa: Winemaker Charles Back survives brutal crow bar attack and still makes it to work the next day
• The Cape Winelands Three Ways: Delaire Graff, Boschendal, Thokozani

CRAFT BEVERAGES: BEER, CIDER, WINE & SPIRITS

• Craft Beer sues Big Beer, Craft Wine wants in on the drama
• New York state says it now has record number of breweries