California Winegrape Community Mourns the Passing of Industry Leader John Ledbetter: The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) mourns the loss of former CAWG Chair John Ledbetter, who passed away on June 23. John was a respected leader, visionary grower, and tireless advocate whose influence helped shape California’s winegrape industry for decades…

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American Wine Legislation Pulled from Agenda in California State Senate: AB 1585 (Connolly & Ransom) was withdrawn from a Senate committee hearing this morning and will not be heard this year. This means the bill is defeated for this legislative session…

A Modest Improvement on the Wine Sales Front:
The pace of decline in wine sales has moderated slightly after disappointing results in 2025. However, wine inventory levels are stubbornly high and exports are down…

Senate Committee to Hear AB 1585 American Wine – Truth in Labeling Legislation: AB 1585 (Connolly & Ransom) will be heard in the Senate Governmental Organization Committee on Tuesday, June 23. This bill, co-sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers and Family Winemakers of California…

USDA Urged to Help California Wineries Amid Pierce’s Disease Fears: Failure to act quickly carries “significant economic stakes” for California agriculture, warned Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff…

California Winegrape Growers Press Federal Agenda Across Capitol Hill, Agencies, and the White House
The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) led a delegation of growers to Washington, D.C., June 1-3 to advance a federal policy agenda aimed at restoring competitiveness, strengthening risk management tools, and supporting the long-term viability of California vineyards…

Texas Wine Grapes Launch to Space for Research Mission: Seeds bound for the International Space Station could be used to produce the world’s first wine from vines cultivated after cosmic radiation exposure…

Domaine Carneros Remembers Founding Winemaker and CEO Eileen Crane: Anyone who spent time with Eileen quickly understood that her gifts went well beyond the cellar. She had sharp wit and quiet conviction. She was elegant and tough in the same breath, a born optimist with endless creativity and a natural instinct for mentorship…

Study Guides Magnesium Decisions in Oregon Vineyards: A three-year study of Pinot noir vines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley found that magnesium sprayed on the leaves reduced visible symptoms of magnesium deficiency but did not improve vine growth, yield or fruit composition…

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Fees and Visitors Fall in Wine Country: California’s wineries are dropping their prices, but that’s not bringing back the visitors, a new report finds…

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New Study Shows No Link Between Moderate Alcohol Consumption and Cancer Mortality: The National Association of Wine Retailers (NAWR) points out that…

The Logic in Henkell Freixenet’s Interest in Pommery – And Why It Could Presage More Wine M&A: Maison Pommery & Associés is an attractive target for Henkell Freixenet – and a deal may not be the only big corporate move in wine on the horizon…

Treasury Wine Estates Unveils Future Portfolio Strategy
TWE will become a simpler and more focused luxury wine business, investing in fewer, stronger brands, while increasing its emphasis on lighter styles and no and low- alcohol wines…

Nominations Open for the 14th Annual WINnovation Awards
Wine Industry Network created the WINnovation Awards as a way to identify and honor wine industry suppliers and service providers that have developed ground-breaking products, practices, and have contributed to the advancement of the North American wine industry…

OSU Research Identifies Native Microbes That May Protect Wine Grapes: This research could help growers manage grapevine trunk diseases more effectively while supporting long-term vineyard productivity…

Republic National Distributing Company and Reyes Beverage Group Announce Successful Closing of Transaction: The completed transaction includes the following markets: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. The transaction in Hawaii is still subject to receipt of certain remaining regulatory approvals…

Demand Grows for Alternative Wines Despite Barriers: Younger drinkers are driving growth in alternative wines, but limited choice, price concerns and weak engagement among older consumers continue to hold the category back…

CDFA Responding to GWSS Found on Plants Sold at Northern California Costcos: The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Pierce’s Disease Control Program (PDCP) is working with Costco Wholesale and county agricultural officials after invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) insects were found on grapevine shipments sold at select Costco locations in Northern California between April 21 and May 19…

American Wine Truth in Labeling Bill Advances to CA Senate: Late yesterday, the California State Assembly approved AB 1585 (Connolly & Ransom), legislation that would require wine labeled “American” and sold or bottled in California to be made entirely from American-grown grapes. The bill passed with bipartisan support on a 67-0 vote and now advances to the California State Senate…