In this week’s wine news, the long-dreaded wave of California winery closures has finally arrived, while the trade battles renewed tariff uncertainty. Plus, UC Davis tests a new spray against wildfire smoke, Chef Thomas Keller scolds Yountville over workforce housing, and we feature top Italian varietals and Spanish tapas.
The wine industry is currently navigating a gauntlet of structural and political challenges. In California, the predicted wave of winery closures has officially crashed into reality, forcing a major market correction and prompting growers to rethink their vineyards. Meanwhile, importers are stuck in policy limbo as unexpected new tariff threats overshadow recent Supreme Court victories. But it is not all doom and gloom—scientific innovation continues with UC Davis testing calcium sprays to combat wildfire smoke taint. We also dive into local Napa politics with Thomas Keller, explore California-grown Italian varietals in Solvang, and highlight a stellar Costa Mesa corkage deal.
Wine News Round-Up
SF Chronicle – How To Understand The Surge Of California Winery Closures
In the San Francisco Chronicle, Esther Mobley argues that California’s wave of winery closures and layoffs is no longer something the industry is bracing for — it is happening now. She points to a February cluster of shutdowns and staff cuts involving boutique labels like Ernest and Margins, as well as production facility closures and layoffs at major players including Gallo, Foley Family, and Jackson Family. Mobley’s central point is that this is not just a temporary headline cycle but a structural correction: consumer demand is too weak for an industry that spent decades building for continued growth. From the article:…