Cal Fire releases new hazard maps for the Bay Area and wine country // Azur Associates Wine Market + M&A review 2024 Summary + 2025 Outlook

Cal Fire added more than 360,000 acres in coastal Northern California to its fire hazard zones where heightened fire safety regulations will apply. New Southern California maps come out March 24.

We believe there will be more decline over the next couple of years; however, certain segments and price categories will fare better. Understanding where you fit, using facts and data, and then applying acute focus will improve your ability to participate in the long game.

Reyes Beverage Group has handled the distribution of the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD in California since 2022.

On Thursday, a judge granted a preliminary injunction against Hoopes, which prohibits the small winery from selling and serving wine from its premises and hosting events. It also forces the winery to relocate its animal sanctuary, a popular attraction for visiting families, within two weeks.

For regenerative viticulture to make a meaningful impact on the wine industry, it needs to be adopted by both boutique wineries and high-volume producers—can it be done?

The 29th Annual Premiere Napa Valley trade-only wine auction, debuting the 2023 vintage red wines, concluded this past weekend on an optimistic note with a record number of lots auctioned and with US$3.3 million in sales, a 10% increase over last year’s total.

One of the most striking findings in the report is the continued expansion of the spirit-based premixed cocktail category, which now represents 14.2% of the total spirits market, up from just 3.2% five years ago.

IWSR data shows rise in light consumption, single-category occasions and temporary abstinence.

“Product diversification” and a short crop are helping balance continuing oversupply.

Aside from the 2020 Covid-induced blip, Champagne shipments have dropped to a level not seen since the turn of the century – so what are the causes of decline?

We live in a time when problems we face are complicated but many of the answers proposed to address them are very simple. 

While it's routinely sunny in Paso Robles in the winter, at least between rainstorms, the warmth that we saw last week and which is forecast to intensify this week is less common.

The governor vowed to clear the way for more groundwater recharge. Has it worked? “We’re still tinkering around with small numbers,” one expert says.

This event remains profoundly important for Napa's future.

Q&A with Rocky Pond winemaker Elizabeth Keyser on her first Washington vintage.

Last week at Wine Paris, the new Cru Bourgeois ranking was announced that will be in place for the next five years.

After total winery DtC shipment volume fell 10% in 2024, the new year didn’t bring much improvement.

Using data sourced from the “2024 Wine Handbook”, AAWE compiled a list ranking the top 25 wine producers and distributors based on sales and market share in 2023. Digging into the data, it’s clear that the top suppliers dominate the market.

FRAME Network expands to cover research for improved methods to battle fungal diseases.

Research is not finished with esca, the main cause of Grenache decline in the South of France. New trials will be launched on pruning and disbudding methods to help winegrowers fight the disease.