June 11th, 2020–Some state winery trade association leaders have inquired about the feasibility of holding professional wine competitions while there are still certain restrictions due to the Covid crisis. I (Jim Trezise) have judged in about 300 competitions over the years, and created and oversaw the New York Wine & Food Classic competition for 30 … Read more Suggested Changes for Covid-Era Competitions
Is it possible to safely conduct a professional wine competition during the Covid era? Yes. Do changes in procedures need to be made? Absolutely. WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries, has assembled this document in response to inquiries from winery trade association representatives in its State and Regional Associations Advisory Council (SRAAC). For some, … Read more Wine Competitions in the Covid Era: Best Practices and Considerations
July 16th, 2020–Twenty years ago, Camp Good Days & Special Times initiated the first Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition (FLIWC). The objective was to establish FLIWC to raise money for programs for children and their families impacted by cancer, and to provide a platform for finger lakes wineries to showcase the quality of … Read more Covid-Era Competition Best Practices: Finger Lakes Wine Competition
WineAmerica’s third survey of American wineries showed that many have weathered the coronavirus storm, but have lost money, and will take months to get back to pre-Covid levels. This survey focused primarily on the month of May following two previous ones covering earlier periods. Almost all states are now in some phase of reopening, so … Read more Third Covid-19 Economic Impact Survey
Washington, DC–WineAmerica, the national association of American wineries, elected new leaders at its June 3 virtual Board meeting, continuing a long tradition of leadership changes every two years. Janie Brooks Heuck, Managing Director of Brooks Wines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, ascended from Vice Chair to Chair of the WineAmerica Board. Debra Dommen, Vice President of … Read more WineAmerica Changes Leadership
