State Profile: Alaska Wine Country

Alaskan wine? Yes. While the climate is certainly not conducive to growing vinifera grapes (which are imported as juice from California), honey and several native fruits suitable for the environment thrive and are transformed into mead and fruit wines. Wineries include Bear Creek Winery and Solitude Springs Farm and Vineyard. Great Grapes: Valiant Maybe this unique red wine … Read more

Policy Perspectives

Congress did a few things this week, though none affecting the wine industry. The Senate passed a bill proposing more funding for Ukraine and Israel, but it’s likely to die in the House. Meanwhile, House Republicans impeached Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas over border issues. On Long Island, the New York seat formerly occupied by expelled … Read more

State Profile: Alabama Wine Country

Alabama has two climates making it challenging to make wine: the natural climate and the political climate. The hot, humid climate limits the grape varieties that can be grown to Scuppernong, Norton, and some French hybrid varieties. The political climate improved somewhat due to agricultural reforms in 2002 that loosened some restrictions on wineries, but … Read more

Policy Perspectives

Congress has just two joint legislative days scheduled for February, but somewhat surprisingly last week the House passed a bipartisan tax bill which then went to the Senate for consideration. In less than a month, there could be a government shutdown unless Congress and the Administration can come together. There are some legislators who would … Read more

Unleashing the Power of Magic

2024 may well be one of the most challenging years in recent history for the American wine industry. Let’s change that. Multiple Alarm Bells At the recent Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, several prominent experts in various fields sounded the alarms during the enormously popular “State of the Industry” session attended by several … Read more