March 17, 2025 — U.S. wineries are already feeling the effects of tariffs on Canada, which have led to the cancellation of U.S. wine orders and the removal of American wines from Canadian shelves. Now, with a looming 200% tariff on EU wines, the U.S. wine industry is left questioning whether this will ultimately help or hurt their businesses.
According to Francis Creighton, CEO of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA.org), the outlook leans strongly toward the latter.
“These tariffs would disrupt supply chains, increase costs for consumers, and put American businesses at a competitive disadvantage. Rising retail prices may also reduce consumer spending at bars and restaurants, impacting workers who rely on customer traffic for tips and hours,” he reported, in an online interview.
There are also other risks if the tariffs go into effect. “The risk of retaliatory tariffs could further harm U.S. exports, making this a significant concern for the industry,” he continued.
Francis will be the keynote lunch speaker at the upcoming Wine Market Council Research Conference on April 2 in Napa, CA. During his presentation he plans to provide some solutions and recommendations for the U.S. wine industry regarding the changing tariff situation.
In his presentation, entitled “Working Together: Partnering with Wholesalers in a Dynamic Market and with Policymakers,” Francis will not only discuss tariffs, but will address industry efforts on dietary guidelines, WSWA’s advocacy on cannabis, and other hot topics.
He will alsoshare strategies for wineries to secure distribution during this time of declining wine consumption, and how to build effective partnerships across on- and off-premise channels.
“Industry collaboration is key to stability and growth,” he stated.
Registration is now open to attend the lunch and hear Francis Creighton’s keynote presentation. The cost for the 3-course family style lunch with wine is $75 per person. Seats are limited, so please register soon at this LINK.
The complete WMC Research Conference is also open for registration at the same LINK. For questions or additional information, please contact to email Janet Becker, WMC Administrative Assistant, at admin@winemarketcouncil.com.
About Wine Market Council
Established in 1996, Wine Market Council (WMC), is a non-profit organization, supported by members with an interest in advancing the U.S. wine market and industry. The mission of WMC is “to conduct forward-looking market research on U.S. wine consumer buying habits, attitudes, and trends.’
Each year WMC conducts 3 to 4 national research studies on the U.S. wine consumer, tapping into motivations for wine in their lives. The information is shared with members to develop successful wine marketing strategies. WMC’s database of research, spanning over 27 years, is one of the deepest and richest in the nation regarding motivations of U.S. wine consumers.
In addition to access to research study reports, members also benefit by receiving invitations to member-only webinars, complimentary attendance to the annual research conference, quarterly newsletters, and networking opportunities. Members include wineries, distributors, growers, importers, regional, national, and international trade associations, and affiliates. Membership dues start as low as $400 per year depending on the size of the organization. For more information on membership and costs, please see https://winemarketcouncil.com/join/.
