New York, NY – December 1, 2025 – Wine Market Council (WMC), in collaboration with Wine Enthusiast, announced today that registration is now open for its upcoming research seminar, “Inside the U.S. Wine Consumer: What’s Driving Demand in 2026?” The two-hour program will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, the morning after the 26th annual Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards gala.
“We are delighted to partner with Wine Enthusiast on this timely seminar,” said Liz Thach, MW, President of Wine Market Council. “Jacki Strum, President & Publisher of Wine Enthusiast Media, and a valued member of our Board of Directors, recognized that many global wine businesses would be in New York for the Wine Star Awards and encouraged us to create this synergistic session. We are grateful for her support and that of her team.”
The seminar will highlight the latest consumer insights, sales data, and innovative strategies shaping the future of wine in the United States—the world’s largest wine-consuming and purchasing market. With the global wine industry facing ongoing challenges, including fluctuating sales and heightened competition, the session is designed to provide attendees with actionable intelligence to strengthen engagement, increase sales, and adapt to emerging consumer trends.
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
- Time: 9:00–11:00 a.m. (Registration & breakfast from 8:30 a.m.)
- Location: Sofitel New York, Manhattan
- Registration Information: Click Here
Expert Panelists and Topics
The seminar will feature a lineup of leading voices from across the wine sector who will share exclusive data, market intelligence, and practical strategies:
- Liz Thach, MW (President, Wine Market Council)
Overview of the U.S. wine consumer, featuring findings from WMC’s new Benchmark Study and other recent research, with strategic insights for connecting with evolving consumer segments. - Zachary Poelma (Senior Vice President – Commercial Intelligence, SGWS)
Analysis of U.S. wine market sales trends and distributor perspectives on how producers can sell more effectively within the three-tier system. - Dan Kleinman (Chief Brand Officer, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits)
What it takes to succeed in today’s market as an importer and producer, with emphasis on innovation and adaptive business practices. - Alexandra O’Gorman (Vice President of Community Relations, Foley Family Wines & Spirits
Success strategies for selling wine through direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels and innovative methods to attract new wine consumers. - Ben Aneff (Owner, Tribeca Wine Merchants)
Retail perspectives on shifting demand and purchasing behaviors, plus recommendations for wineries seeking to improve performance in retail settings.
Agenda
- 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. – Registration & Continental Breakfast
- 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. – Inside the U.S. Wine Consumer – Presentation by Dr. Liz Thach, MW
- 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. – Panel Discussion & Q&A: What’s Driving Demand in 2026? – Zachary Poelma, Dan Kleinman, Alexandra O’Gorman & Ben Aneff
Who Should Attend
This seminar is designed for:
- Wineries, importers, and distributors
- Wine business professionals and trade partners
- WMC members
- Attendees of the Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Awards gala
- Wine industry stakeholders based in the New York area
Cost & Registration
- $39 per person, including continental breakfast
- Complimentary for WMC members, Wine Star Awards guests, and media
Registration: Click Here
About Wine Market Council
The Wine Market Council (WMC) is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the U.S. wine industry through high-quality research, education, and actionable consumer insights. WMC conducts annual studies and delivers resources that help members understand shifting consumer behavior, market dynamics, and new growth opportunities.
Membership benefits include access to cutting-edge research on the U.S. wine consumer, member webinars, newsletters, data files and statistics, and complimentary attendance at WMC’s annual research conference. Membership starts as low as $400 per year for access to webinars and reports, and $1,000 per year including data files (pricing varies by organization size).
Members include wineries, distributors, growers, importers, regional, national, and international trade associations, and affiliated businesses. For more information on membership and costs, visit: https://winemarketcouncil.com/join/
