Editor

J. Stephen Casscles, better known by friends as Steve Casscles, is an accomplished lawyer and winemaker. He graduated Marlboro Central High School, attended the State University of New York, Albany, and got his law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. Ever the individualist, as a young man, rather than visit Europe, he traveled India and Nepal. He has been counsel to various New York state senators for more than 20 years. While his specialty is insurance and healthcare practices, he has also written or contributed to many of the liquor laws in New York state.

Broadway Video and IFC’s Emmy® Award-winning original sketch comedy series Portlandia has teamed up with winemaker Lot18 to produce a collection of wine based...

Subscribe to the Afternoon Brief   Trending Story: Wine’s Most Inspiring People 2018: Growing Grapes, Family, and Community in Sonoma County John and Terri Balletto planted...

John and Terri Balletto were recognized as some of Wine's Most Inspiring People 2018 and on that occasion John shared some of his thoughts...

Israel’s Golan Heights and Galil Mountain Wineries Achieve Historic Certification January 17, 2018, LODI, CA – The LODI RULES™ Sustainable Winegrowing Program, created by the...

John and Terri Balletto planted their first vineyard in the mid-nineties on a 35 acre lot in Sebastopol (now part of the potential Sebastopol Hills AVA) where they were also building their home. Back then, they were vegetable farmers, but the hill did not have enough water to grow produce, so with the advice of family friend Warren Dutton (Dutton Ranch), they planted 20 acres of Pinot, 10 of Chardonnay, and 5 of Pinot Gris.

NEW YORK, Jan. 18 – For Valentine’s Day this February 14, Yarden Inc., the importer of Israel’s leading wines, urges American drinkers to turn...

Subscribe to the Afternoon Brief   Trending Story: Wine’s Most Inspiring People 2018: The Alternative Wine Packaging Trailblazer Jordan Kivelstadt is a straight-shooter. Innovator? Check. Relationship...

For the third year running, Cognac exports grew in 2017, reaching their highest ever levels in both volume and value. Tese good results are despite...

Pioneering winemakers from all over the worlds helped to shape the Finger Lakes into a modern region. These founding winemakers began growing vinifera and raised the quality of wine, and that in turn attracted a new generation of talented individuals, who continue to push the boundaries and carry on the pursuit of excellence in the Finger Lakes.

Subscribe to the Afternoon Brief   Trending Story: Wine Sales Gain 2% on Slow and Steady Growth U.S. wine sales posted slower growth in 2017 than...

HEALDSBURG, Calif. – JANUARY 16, 2018 – Dry Creek Vineyard announces new hires in the creation of its dedicated sales team to strengthen the...

Subscribe to the Afternoon Brief   Trending Story: Announcing the 2018 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Sweepstake Winners After receiving 6,960 entries from 35 states across...

Subscribe to the Afternoon Brief   Trending Story: Silicon Valley Bank Wine Business Forecast Warns of Slowing Sales Growth Sales of premium wine will continue to...

Since purchasing his vineyard at the top of Spring Mountain in 1970, Stuart Smith has become the leading voice of the hillside grower. While Smith believed that the best grapes come from the mountains, a hypothesis had been written that vineyards on hillsides are detrimental to the land. In response, Smith began arguing in favor of hillside vineyards and land-use issues. Being the leading voice was “thrust upon me,” Smith shared. “It was not my intent. When I first got a permit to log the property from Department of Forestry, I was warned that there would be protesters once I brought out a chainsaw.”