A Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Wine Symposium will be held in Prosser, Washington next month. The one-day event will take place April 28 at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center.
Story at Northwest Wine Report.
Mercer Wine Estates has purchased Matthews and three related brands. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“They’ve got some great strengths, and we’ve got some great strengths. Put them together, and it makes the whole stronger,” says Rob Mercer, owner of Mercer Wine Estates.
Taste Washington is coming up later this month! At Northwest Wine Report, 20 must-try wines, including wines from Avennia, Bartholomew Winery, Cadence Winery, Cairdeas Winery, Cor Cellars, Eight Bells Winery, Force Majeure, Grosgrain Vineyards, Hoquetus Wine Company, itä wines, Lawrelin and more.
“There’s a formula in the wine business when you look at branding. There’s stuff that’s been done 1,000 times,” says Steve Wells at Time & Direction. “I’m not saying I have all the right answers, but I’m trying to do something different with my branding, my labels, and my story.”
50+ new wines reviewed at Northwest Wine Report, including the latest from Browne Family, DeLille, Echolands, Fidélitas, Garageland, Iterum, Karvalé, and Love & Squalor.
Enjoy!
Oregon’s 2025 growing season was warm and otherwise uneventful. The result was a relatively stress-free growing season with high quality, approachable wines that are expected to be well-received by consumers.
At Northwest Wine Report, a look at the 2025 growing season in Oregon.
At Northwest Wine Report, three things that you can do to get more out of every bottle of wine.
At Northwest Wine Report, a list of what I consider to be the signature varieties for six Columbia Valley appellations.
“Sagemoor Estates is a vineyard-focused winery because that’s what we are and that’s who we are,” says brand ambassador Kent Waliser. “The winery is all built around vineyards.”
Sagemoor is a collection of 6 sites. With Sagemoor Estates, the company is looking to showcase fruit by its own hand.
Here is a primer on the Facebook page recommendation suspension issue.
Woodward Canyon, one of Walla Walla Valley’s founding wineries, has named Marcus Rafanelli winemaker. The move is part of a planned, generational transition at the winery.
“What an opportunity,” says Rafanelli. “I’m excited to continue telling that story, but I’m also excited for the next chapter.”
At Northwest Wine Report, 40+ wines reviewed, including the latest from Amos Rome, Avennia, Balsall Creek, Devison, Frank the Tank, Itä, Kevin White, Reali, Ridgecrest, Sagemoor, and Tsillan.
Earlier this month, a large number of businesses – particularly many in the wine and beverage alcohol industries – were notified that Facebook would no longer be recommending their pages. Almost three weeks later, the issue has resolved for many but not all.
MaraBela is a new, alcohol-free sparkling tea produced in Walla Walla. The company is the brainchild of Jesús Martínez Bujanda and his sister Ana, the family behind Bodegas Valdemar in Rioja and Valdemar Estates in Walla Walla. The goal was to create a non-alcoholic beverage to pair with food.
The 2024 Kevin White Winery Blue Label is particularly noteworthy for a number of reasons. One of them is that this is the last Blue Label wine that the winery will make. Ever.
Businesses that have been impacted by Facebook's page recommendation issue, I am currently running a poll on my Northwest Wine Report Facebook page to see where things stands.
If you've been impacted, please take a moment to fill out the poll. Thank you!
www.facebook.com/share/p/1AZd...
The Orr Wines Royal Slope Red gives back to Stillwater Creek Vineyard workers by providing money for healthcare. Story at Northwest Wine Report.
The hit Netflix series Stranger Things wrapped up recently after five seasons. The good news is that wine plays a prominent role in the show’s final season. The bad news is that its portrayal is, at times, a little uncomfortable.
Here are six times that wine is featured in Stranger Things Season 5.
At Northwest Wine Report, my latest article on Facebook page recommendation suspensions. The company has provided an avenue for resolution. Maybe.
Meta has remained silent about the widespread issue it created with Facebook page recommendation suspensions.
At Northwest Wine Report, the latest on Facebook ceasing recommendation of alcohol-related business pages and the pages of numerous other business sectors. It appears that the issue might have impacted "millions" of pages.
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Washington’s largest winery, has announced a series of leadership changes. David Bowman has been appointed CEO. Bowman was previously co-CEO with Anna Mosier. Mosier will now serve as president and chief financial officer.
Full story at Northwest Wine Report.
Peter Dow, founder of Café Juanita in Kirkland, Washington as well as Cavatappi Winery and Cavatappi Distribuzione in Seattle, passed away December 22nd after a series of stroke-related issues. He was 80 years old.
At Northwest Wine Report, a look at Dow's extraordinary life.
