Stephen Gilberg

We chat with Samuel Filler, Executive Director of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation on NYWGF's key achievements, programs, and future goals of the foundation. Sam Filler, as the Executive Director of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation (NYWGF), has spearheaded various initiatives to elevate the state's wines and grapes. From promoting sustainability to expanding global markets, Sam's leadership has been instrumental in advancing New York's wine industry. In this interview, Sam shares growth and success with our editor Malvika Patel of USA Ratings and Beverage Trade Network. "I am most proud of our export program, which is funded through a grant from the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service. They have underwritten an export program for New York Wines for over 30 years." - Sam Filler. Here are some questions we ask: Sam, as Executive Director of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, you've overseen various initiatives to promote the state's wines and grapes. Can you share some of the key achievements and programs you're most proud of during this time? Sustainability is a key focus in the grape and wine industry. How has the New York Wine & Grape Foundation supported sustainability efforts under your leadership, and what do you see as the future of sustainability in the industry? The wine industry has seen significant changes over the past few years with DTC and e-commerce gaining importance. How has the New York Wine & Grape Foundation adapted its strategies and programs to support wineries and growers in navigating these changes? Could you share some insights into the key initiatives the New York Wine and Grape Foundation is currently focusing on, and how these initiatives contribute to the overall goals of the foundation? Millennials are emerging as a significant audience for wine consumption. How is the New York Wine & Grape Foundation adapting i How do you think the trend of moderation among Gen Z drinkers in the US, particularly their embrace of no- and low-alcohol beverages? Read the full story on USA Ratings wine website by clicking on below link.

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Tequila!   Many large players such as White Claw, and The Boston Beer Company (maker of Truly) are expanding their offerings and releasing tequila-flavored ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails as consumers are increasingly turning to tequila offerings in the beverage alcohol sector.   I had the opportunity to share my insights and thoughts on this surging trend with The Food Institute. In the article, I emphasized how innovations in ready-to-drink (RTD) formats, including tequila-based seltzers and margaritas, are meeting consumer demand for novel flavors. Additionally, I pointed out that tequila production has remained stable despite global supply chain disruptions and highlighted the increasing consumer preference for high-quality artisanal spirits.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gB9f-3Ci   #Tequila #BeverageIndustry #MarketTrends #ConsumerInsights #RTDCocktails

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An Honest Conversation about Making Money in Wine: "Most wineries in the U.S. are tiny.... profitability is almost unheard of." "For us, image is more important than profitability" Just two of many potent quotes from this revealing article by ARENI Global. Such transparent truths about the state of winery financial health, and how a re-focus on driving sustainable, healthy businesses is overdue. Some key takeaways: 💠 More often than not, lack of financial stability --> lack of strategy --> lack of focus 💠 Reputation has come before profitability for many wineries 💠 Wineries try to do everything, and as a result, without specificity, they can't scale and the business isn't sustainable 💠 Younger generations are taking over without the financial backing of their predecessors from other lucrative businesses, and they're unwilling and unable to operate at a loss 💠 Wineries need to stay on top of the numbers and be transparent with management on where they're overspending to better manage costs 💠 Focus on building relationships with essential sales partners and top customers to drive sustainable growth 💠 Invest in your team by paying them more than living wage Incredible proof points that wineries need to operate like real businesses, driving towards cash flow positive, be honest about their financials, come to terms about their long-term financial health, and prioritize improvement. This is why InnoVint has designed the Healthy Winery Framework - to help wineries become more informed to drive change! https://lnkd.in/gxV3tcdn https://lnkd.in/e4_T5RGc

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There is still a pervasive fear of change within the #wineindustry Last week I visited three renowned wineries in Napa. They all had the same fear: transitioning from familiar practices to new, unfamiliar ones. Why is this especially interesting? These are modern, sophisticated brands that convey progressiveness and innovation. Yet they operate the same way they did two decades ago 🤯 This dichotomy fascinates me. Wineries are losing ground to other products, not just more strategic competitors but alternative beverages and spirits as well. These companies are often new brands, under highly strategic leadership, know how to run efficient operations, know how to use data to their advantage, and are highly profitable. To stay relevant and survive, wineries must operate with the same mindset. Embrace change. Lean into better ways of doing business, not shy away from it. Not miss out on opportunities to increase profits or acquire new customers. Can the wine industry find a way to retain and honor its beautiful soul AND support sustainable, advanced businesses? I believe so. Many wineries on InnoVint showcase the beauty in striking the perfect balance of tradition and innovation everyday. And that gives me hope.

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Here is the video of our latest webinar with USA's wine buyers: How to Pitch Wine Brands Effectively to USA Wine Buyers. This session features industry leaders Bob Paulinski, MW, Michael Mighetto Hoefling, Dejah S. Overby CS, CSWS, WSET ll and Paul Baldi. The call is a Q and A format call where we answer more than 15 questions directly from winemakers and brand owners. Watch the video on USA Ratings website here.

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Everyone is talking about Foxtrot and rightfully so. I could talk about a lot of things on this subject. How raising too much growth capital leads to irresponsible spending that is hard to control, or how small format grocery is just tough even though enticing, or the pressures of retail that have been happening since well before the pandemic. All would great topics to cover. But I don’t want to talk about any of that. I want to talk about innovation. I think back to maybe 2008, when my friends Alejandro Vélez Ramírez and Nikhil Arora walked into a single Whole Foods store with a 5 gallon bucket of organic oyster mushrooms they grew in their fraternity house, and sold it in immediately, and how that led to a gardening revolution educating millions of kids on growing your own food. The power of retail embracing the new and the bold, and being equipped to do so. Reflecting on a recent conversation with Michael Besancon who spent so many years in a VP of purchasing role, who brought in SAMBAZON when nobody knew what Açaí was. What makes this so tough, is that Foxtrot started to represent that first step in retail, a validator, an important endorsement of the new and bold, and more importantly in a way that works for new and small brands. Yes you can launch your brand D2C, and you should if you can, but retailers are the ultimate influencers. They have a lot of followers, and we need that route to market in a way that works for brands. Daniela Wong who founded Senor Mango is a great example of a new brand that should have a platform, end caps, in store signage, shelf talkers, anchored distro. Why? Because her products are great, her brand is fun, and she is representing her family heritage and a unique variety called Kent that her family has grown for generations. She is also one of the most genuine and creative people I have met, and a bad ass woman founder based in Mexico City. That’s enough to take a chance on, and some are thankfully, but more should hop on and in a big way. There are so many great stories of founders putting everything on the line to make it happen, and bringing true innovation to the table. There are plenty of me too products to filter through also, but when we see the real new, the bold new, we need the retail platform to endorse. Discovery will always be the biggest advantage you have as a retailer, so let’s go! If Foxtrot demise could lead to more off cycle innovation in other massive platforms, it would all be worth it. #innovation #emergingbrands #groceryretail Victor Guardiola Max Kabat Will Ahearn Adam Spriggs Emily M. Lindsay Robb Carlotta Mast Jessica Rubino Katrina Tolentino Kathryn Flouton Isabella "Bella" Hughes Candice Choi

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A very BIG change in retail coffee is coming and espresso machines aren’t invited to the party. The increase in ultra-high premium coffee concentrates that can emulate a shot of espresso are growing into a category no one saw coming. More and more retailers are experimenting and finding it works. Will the espresso machine be the center of attention of retail coffee menu items in retail coffee.? Do you have questions about this? You should. I would love to hear comments from anyone on this. Will espresso machine sales tumble and RTS (ready to serve) high coffee concentrated replace the “shot”? A change is coming… are you ready? #coldbrewconcentrate #coffeeextract #highconcentratecoffee #espressoconcentrate #coldbrew #espresso

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Keurig Dr. Pepper - CORE? Consumer distrust of sugary beverages is at an all-time high, pressuring soda giants to pivot away from their flagship soft drinks and embrace healthier beverages and snacks instead. Rather than reach for soft drinks, today’s consumer is looking for healthier alternatives including tea, coffee, juice and varieties of water. In fact, the bottled water industry expected to surpass sales last year, according to Beverage Digest data cited by Bloomberg, driven by health-conscious consumer demand. Although soda remains a large part of the beverage industry’s revenue, consumers continue to cut back on carbonated beverages, with volumes dipping for 15 years in a row. - - - - #corehydration #drpepper #beverage #food #consumers #sports #lifestyle #marketing #branding #marketshare #growth

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Here's all that you need to know about the USA wine, spirits, and beer Ratings, and how your brands are awarded on Quality, Value, and Packaging. The USA Wine, Beer Spirits Ratings event, is scheduled for July 2024, in San Francisco and it's time to register your wines for the 2024 competition. The final submission deadline is June 20, 2024. With Masters of Wine, top national and regional buyers, and some of the finest wine directors in the country, the competition is set to have the top panel of trade judges for its 2024 competition. The USA Wine Ratings competition, which is organized by Beverage Trade Network prides itself on working with preeminent judges that have direct buying responsibility in their roles. This competition that happens every year in San Francisco will see buyers assess wines by their quality, value, and package. Now in its 7th year of operation, the competition continues to add new partnerships to give winners increased awareness and has grown rapidly with both domestic and international entrants. The goal of this competition is to recognize high-quality wines, beers and spirits that consumers are looking to buy in retail stores or order when they visit a bar or restaurant. The judging panel will consist of prominent industry individuals with a strong commercial buying focus. Whether they are purchasing for hotels and restaurants or a retail chain of liquor stores, these buyers know the types of brands and products that will resonate with consumers.

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🤔 Naked Brand unveils Lower Sugar Smoothies. Innovative formula leverages citrus fibers to reduce sugar. The new Naked Lower Sugar Smoothies offer 50% lower sugar in an array of vibrant flavors including Berrylicious, Glorious Greens and Tropical Sunrise, the company says. Made with real fruit, the smoothies also include a blend of natural, upcycled citrus fibers to deliver a sweet taste, and the added benefit of 9 grams of fiber, including 6 grams of prebiotic fiber in each bottle to support digestive health. 😎 DM me if you're ready to start your D9 or 🍄 Mushroom Shots or Beveages. 🍄 #beveragebook #beveragemagazine #beveragenews #bev #drink #drinks #beverageformulation #drinkbusiness #beverageindustry #beveragenews #beveragebiz #newbusiness #startup #cpg #fmcg #retail #merchandising #wholesaler #wholesale #distributor #distribution #wholesaler #wholesale #wholesalemba

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Calling RI food entrepreneurs. Do you have a product and are ready to scale but need help? Complete our survey and we'll connect you with the best mentor(s) to meet your business needs. Tap into the amazing Branchfood network of experts and angel investors. https://lnkd.in/edWM3f9E #foodentrepreneurs #foodstartups

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🎙️ Exciting News! I had the pleasure of discussing the fascinating intersection of platform companies and emerging chains on the latest Restaurant Business podcast. Huge thanks to Jonathan Maze, Editor-in-Chief at Restaurant Business, for having me on the show. It was an insightful conversation about why platform companies like WOWorks are increasingly acquiring emerging chains in the restaurant industry. 🔗 Listen to the podcast here: https://buff.ly/3XTDmy1 I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my perspectives and contribute to the dialogue around these crucial industry trends, cost savings and the future growth of WOWorks. Let's keep the conversation going! 🚀 #RestaurantBusiness #JonathanMaze #Podcast #IndustryInsights #PlatformCompanies #SmallChains #Acquisitions #BetterForYouBrands #ULE #FranchisingSuccess

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Great read via Beverage Daily #DonnaEastlake centered around how to succeed where others fail when it comes to launching a food and beverage startup.   One thing the article was missing and a key factor in my opinion that helps startups succeed is having a good network of partners to work with…   Who you know vastly influences what you know – in my own experience, having come into the beverage startup world with a broad network of great resources and connections has made the world of difference out the gate.   To read the full story click the link below: https://lnkd.in/gw5p5wu5 #Beverage #CPGStartup #FunctionalBeverage

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As we all know sales are cyclical. Things that go up, go down, and things that trend down can go back up. As I've said before, the panic over Gen Z and why they are not drinking is not where we should be focusing our efforts in #sales and #marketing. In the words of many a sales rep, you have to "Fish where the fish are." In other words focus efforts on the segments that are showing interest, that are purchasing and more importantly have the purchasing power. These are the people to whom we should be spending money and efforts against. #Gen Z will mature as will their tastes and eventually like #Millennials, they will start drinking wine. Next panic demographic will be #GenAlpha but that's a long way away; so let's not worry about why not but focus on how to! This is a great article in Wine Industry Network with research done by the WINE MARKET COUNCIL - always a reliable source for industry information.

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The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) recently published the wine statistics for 2023. Although the United States, France, and Italy were the top three countries in total wine consumption, the findings reveal an intriguing detail about American drinking habits. Despite leading global wine consumption with a staggering 33.3 million hl last year—significantly more than France’s 24.44 mhl and Italy’s 21.88 mhl —the U.S. did not rank as highly on a per capita basis. #news #wine #wineconsumption #oiv OIV - International Organisation of Vine and Wine #uas #percapita #winedrinking #portugal #france #italy #china #industrynews

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New sales channels for NA brands & accessible purchasing locations for consumers is a plus for retailers, consumers and brands. Even with the existence of supermarkets & the concern that stores will eat into each other's sales, a lot of folks in NYC will keep their local stores they find enjoyable or convenient alive. There's CVS all over the place, bodegas still thrive. There's an abundance of both mass chain and small business restaurants. There are more than enough consumers in this city for multiple formats to survive. https://lnkd.in/g6ZYvSmx

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In light of some.conversations I've been having in different circles about the state of plantbased foods, acceptance, perception, growth, etc. https://lnkd.in/gYQp9veN

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"We want to focus on a mordern tech stack that is meant to power the future of the entire wine industry" New OFFBounds episode is live with Sommsation's CEO Danielle Diliberti 🍷 Danielle shared her incredible journey from CPA to tech-driven entrepreneur, explaining how she built Sommsation with a legacy-free architecture designed for sustainable growth which is their competitive advantage. We also talked about Sommsation's innovative approaches, such as the Rebel Wine Club and digital tasting experiences, which enhance accessibility and foster a vibrant community of wine enthusiasts. To watch the full episode head to offbounds.tv #retail #retailtechnology #digitalcommerce #marketplace

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