Sonoma County Winegrowers said on October 19 that the county harvest is complete, ending a season that opened with the first pick on July 16 and produced an estimated crop 35 to 40 percent below average, with growers across five AVAs reporting small berries, strong acidity and whites finished weeks ahead of normal.
Preliminary state figures released October 16 put Napa County's unemployment rate at 4.2 percent, the North Bay's lowest, with Sonoma County at 4.3 percent, even as both counties counted fewer people working or looking for work than a year earlier. Napa payrolls gained 700 farm jobs while beverage manufacturing, which includes wineries, shed 300.
The winery announced on October 14 that it has bought the three East Napa Street buildings that hold its tasting salon and offices, the first property it has ever owned, and unified its hospitality and headquarters under one roof just off the Sonoma Town Square.
The Carneros sparkling wine house unveiled its 2026 holiday gift collection on October 14, pairing estate wines with chocolates, fondue, a chateau puzzle and a sommelier saber, with club pricing, corporate gifting for lists of 5 to 500, and shipping deadlines that start November 17.
The Napa Valley Cabernet house has paired with Los Angeles game maker Throwing Doubles on 100 handmade leather backgammon sets, each bundled with a bottle of its 2022 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and on sale October 15, a holiday gift play that sells the occasion as much as the wine.
The winery announced on October 14 that it has bought the three East Napa Street buildings that hold its tasting salon and offices, the first property it has ever owned, and unified its hospitality and headquarters under one roof just off the Sonoma Town Square.
Sonoma County Winegrowers said on October 19 that the county harvest is complete, ending a season that opened with the first pick on July 16 and produced an estimated crop 35 to 40 percent below average, with growers across five AVAs reporting small berries, strong acidity and whites finished weeks ahead of normal.
The Carneros sparkling wine house unveiled its 2026 holiday gift collection on October 14, pairing estate wines with chocolates, fondue, a chateau puzzle and a sommelier saber, with club pricing, corporate gifting for lists of 5 to 500, and shipping deadlines that start November 17.
Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits settled the FTC's 2024 Robinson-Patman suit without admitting wrongdoing. For six years, an independent monitor will watch what it charges small shops versus big chains in 26 states, California included.
The top quartile grew revenue 22 percent while the bottom fell 13 percent. SVB's verdict: too big for DtC, too small for distributors, is the place to avoid.
Benessere's $9 million auction open, after a $19 million ask, looks like honesty to this column. The trade should want more of it.
