Wine: It's what the young consumer wants. They just don't know it.

 

The beginning of change is understanding.

Each January in California, we are all enlightened by the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium, the DTC Wine Symposium, the Sovos ShipCompliant DTC Wine Shipping Report, and the Silicon Valley Bank State of the US Wine Industry Report. I'd like to say I attend them all, but some overlap. I do make it a point to attend the SVB State of the Wine Industry Videocast though. To allow flexibility, SVB records the video presentation of the SVB Report for replay. 

SVB State of the Wine Industry - what comes next?

 Click on the above picture to use the QR Code, or try this link: State of the Industry 2025

How Long Will This Last?

Now it feels like it's 2025. The new year's cobwebs are clearing, and the events are starting, including the release of the Annual SVB State of the Industry Report, the DTC Wine Symposium, and next week, the Unified Wine Symposium will be in full force.

The main goal of presenting the SVB State of the Industry Report is to provide a forward view and be as transparent as possible. I understand that many in this industry don't like to hear 'doom and gloom.' Who does? But that is exactly the comment I received several times over in the 2019 report when I said:

US Government Recommending Lowered Alcohol Guidelines and Enhanced Cancer Warnings

 

The Political Tug-of-War

The title of this post reflects the actions the Surgeon General is promoting. It's part of a long-term, well-thought-out, and well-funded campaign against consuming alcohol - any amount of alcohol. The campaign runs circles around anyone wanting to point out the other positive health science behind moderate consumption. But this report shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.