Easy Reduction Testing for Wines
The wine smells good however... By Thomas J. Payette, Winemaking Consultant Just because your wine smells good doesn’t mean it can’t smell better. Always keep this in mind as a winemaker or winery owner. The largest violation of “house palate”, a process where winemakers overlook their wine flaws because they ...
Winegrapes on High Calcium Soils
Why some high calcium soils produced excellent grapes By Neal Kinsey, Kinsey Agricultural Services One quandary that continually presents itself for vineyards as well as other crops is why some high calcium soils produced excellent grapes while others in the same vicinity (and sometimes the same variety in the same ...
A Short Primer on Exporting
For those who desire to enter the export market By Brad Berkman & Louis J. Terminello of Greenspoon Marder LLP Given the rates of consumption of alcoholic beverages in the U.S., specifically, the volume declines across all commodities, it may be wise for suppliers to consider markets abroad to sell ...
Where The Vines Grow, Nature Speaks
For the love of wine and Mother Earth By Hanifa Sekandi As sentiment that many Millennial and Gen Z consumers hold dear in a modern world where consumerist practices often lead to cutting corners to yield profits. It’s true, these wine enthusiasts value sustainable cultivation practices as much as they ...
How does the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” affect your grape crop insurance?
By Trevor Troyer, Agricultural Risk Management I have been getting asked, “How does the One Big Beautiful Bill Act affect my crop insurance?” Does it make any changes to grape crop insurance? Will it lower my premium or increase my premium? Lawmakers passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) ...
Engagement Strategy
How tasting rooms can build connection, loyalty, & increased visits By Corey Krejcik, Founder of Thirsty Bandit In the world of wine, customer engagement is more than just a marketing metric—it’s the heart of what transforms a casual visitor into a loyal guest, a repeat buyer, and ultimately a wine ...
Malolactic Inhibitors in Winemaking
Practical tools for reliable fermentation control By: Andreea Botezatu, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Extension Enology Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Malolactic fermentation plays a central role in winemaking and can be either beneficial or detrimental depending on wine style and chemistry. In some wines it contributes complexity and softness, while ...
Demystifying Wine for the Next Generation
Q&A with Winemaker Eric Martella By: Allie Nelson As both an educator and winemaker, Erik Martella has spent decades thinking about how people encounter wine, not just as a beverage, but as an experience shaped by history, hospitality, and human connection. A Lecturer and Wine Specialist in Appalachian State University’s ...
Grapevine Fungal Trunk Diseases
Prevention & management practices to avoid the propagation and spread of fungal pathogens. By: Judit Monis, Ph.D., Vineyard and Plant Health Consultant Grapevine trunk diseases occur worldwide and are caused by bacterial, fungal pathogens, or a combination of both. Trunk disease fungal pathogens can be airborne and/or soilborne. These pathogens ...
Wine Packaging with Purpose
Sustainable materials, smart design and brand impact By: Alyssa L. Ochs In the modern wine industry, packaging is much more than just a practical vessel or aesthetic flourish. Wineries strategically use packaging to communicate their brand values, shape consumer perceptions, and share their sustainability commitments. Wine enthusiasts have become increasingly ...
