Rhonda Kallman

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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This article provides a well-done analysis of global wine trends, offering data-based summaries of the challenges and insightful solutions. Well done Tina Caputo. Check it out for a comprehensive overview: https://lnkd.in/gBheBHxN

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Maximizing Sales and Customer Satisfaction with the Best Pinot Noirs of 2024. From a revenue perspective, a strong Pinot Noir selection will boost sales. By offering a range of Pinot price points and styles restaurants will appeal to different customer segments, encouraging both casual and celebratory purchases. We survey the best Pinot Noirs of 2024 for restaurant wine programs. Including a good selection of Pinot Noir on a restaurant's wine list is crucial due to its versatility and appeal across a wide range of diners. We have, therefore, curated eight top Pinot Noirs for 2024 wine lists based on judging at the London Wine Competition. London Competitions

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We chat with Sandro Sartor, President of Wine in Moderation (WiM) Association on his vision for Responsible Drinking. Sandro Sartor, President of Wine in Moderation, has been a driving force in promoting responsible drinking since assuming the presidency in 2020. With a deep-rooted belief in the program's potential to shape the wine sector's approach to moderation, Sandro has steered Wine in Moderation towards a results-oriented path, focusing on education and awareness among professionals and consumers alike. As President of Wine in Moderation, Sandro brings a unique perspective to the table, combining his role as CEO of Ruffino Group with his commitment to promoting responsible drinking. This dual role allows him to leverage his experience and expertise to drive Wine in Moderation's initiatives, aligning them with the current needs and challenges of the wine sector. Education has been a cornerstone of Wine in Moderation's efforts, with a focus on empowering wine professionals to educate consumers about moderate drinking. Initiatives such as the Responsible Service training program have been instrumental in equipping professionals with the knowledge and tools to promote responsible consumption. While often mistaken for a lobbying organization, Wine in Moderation remains action-oriented, collaborating with stakeholders to enhance its effectiveness. Partnerships with trade fairs and other stakeholders have been key in disseminating the program's message and reaching a broader audience. Looking ahead, Wine in Moderation under Sandro's leadership is poised for further growth and impact. Initiatives such as the "Lifestyle, Diet, Wine & Health" Congress and the International Wine in Moderation Day demonstrate the program's commitment to promoting responsible drinking worldwide.

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Labelling , standards , confusion and funny readers comments, more on booch news ! Ian Griffin thanks for sharing and adding into the #boochnews publication. . really interesting to see ehat comes from this approach 👍 #kombucha #quality #industrystandards

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A huge thank you to Wine Industry Network for featuring my article on the rising demand for premium and artisanal wines. 🌟 In the article, I delve into the trends and consumer preferences driving this dynamic segment of the wine industry. Check it out to learn more about the trends shaping our industry! #WineIndustry #PremiumWines #ArtisanalWines #WineTrends #winenews #winebusiness

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Our editor Charlie Leary (李嘉立) PhD interviews Stephanie Gallo, GALLO's VP of Marketing, about business strategy and the wine industry's landscape, emphasizing the "total alcohol" business and efforts to democratize wine. For Stephanie Gallo one primary objective seems clear: democratize the enjoyment of wine. Another is to make GALLO, as a company, into a “total alcohol beverage supplier.” This requires an “intrapreneurial mindset” within a very large family-owned firm, which has never lost contact with its strong roots and traditions in California. The direct descendent of Ernest Gallo, Stephanie recently told her alma mater, Northwestern University, that additional “consumers in the United States and throughout the world” should be drinking wine. She added that the potential for expanding the overall market for wine remains substantial. “Only 33 percent of Americans drink wine on a regular basis, and of that 33 percent, 80 percent of the volume is done by 11 percent of the population,” she stated. “So I would argue that our quest to democratize wine still has not been met.” What some might view as dismal numbers regarding the wine market, Stephanie views as yet unconquered territory for expanding sales. As Vice President of Marketing, Stephanie Gallo has tremendous influence in that regard. Gallo produces up to 3% of the world’s wine (that’s a lot). With over 7500 employees, the company accounts for an estimated 13%+ of total US wine industry revenue. As Richard Hemming MW noted several years ago, “It is often said that the world’s largest wine producer” only makes a very small percentage of “the total annual production of wine, which is illustrative of wine’s highly fragmented market structure.” It is within this market environment that Gallo has thrived, but never dominated the wine sector. “By comparison,” writes Hemming, “Coca-Cola owns about 50% of the global soft drinks market, while Anheuser-Busch has a 28% share of the global beer market.” Hemming believes this shows how “the industry [is] highly fragmented, with millions of smaller wine producers around the world each accounting for just a minuscule fraction of total global production.” Read the full story on USA Ratings (USA Wine Ratings blog) by clicking on the link below.

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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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Among the report’s other findings: - Price discounting is still not common in direct sales. More often, incentives center around discounted shipping; free shipping has lost popularity among producers. (Everyone I know is discounting, so?) - Internet and web sales, after peaking at 16% of sales during the Pandemic, have retreated to 8%, more or less what they were in 2016.  - Wineries are lagging behind their customers in social media use. Just three-quarters use Facebook and Instagram, and the figures are barely into double digits for Twitter/X, YouTube, and the like.  - Lifetime wine club membership value, which rose almost two-thirds from 2014 to 2021, has flattened. Meanwhile, wine club churn rates remain high, with some as much as 25%, and conversion rates fall within a narrow band of 8% to 10%. - DtC prices have increased slightly since 2017, around 2% per year, with a drop in 2020 during the Pandemic and an almost 5% increase the following year. - In 2023, DtC case sales growth generally remained smaller than dollar growth, even in some of the regions where case sales declined. The average for the nine regions in the study was a 0.7% dollar boost and a 1.48% decline in cases sold. Sonoma and Virginia were the two regions with the highest reported DtC sales growth rates. https://lnkd.in/gHumZvM4

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USA Ratings interviews Stephanie Gallo, GALLO's VP of Marketing, about business strategy and the wine industry's landscape, emphasizing the "total alcohol" business and efforts to democratize wine. For Stephanie Gallo one primary objective seems clear: democratize the enjoyment of wine. Another is to make GALLO, as a company, into a “total alcohol beverage supplier.” This requires an “intrapreneurial mindset” within a very large family-owned firm, which has never lost contact with its strong roots and traditions in California. The direct descendent of Ernest Gallo, Stephanie recently told her alma mater, Northwestern University, that additional “consumers in the United States and throughout the world” should be drinking wine. She added that the potential for expanding the overall market for wine remains substantial. “Only 33 percent of Americans drink wine on a regular basis, and of that 33 percent, 80 percent of the volume is done by 11 percent of the population,” she stated. “So I would argue that our quest to democratize wine still has not been met.” What some might view as dismal numbers regarding the wine market, Stephanie views as yet unconquered territory for expanding sales. As Vice President of Marketing, Stephanie Gallo has tremendous influence in that regard. Gallo produces up to 3% of the world’s wine (that’s a lot). With over 7500 employees, the company accounts for an estimated 13%+ of total US wine industry revenue. As Richard Hemming MW noted several years ago, “It is often said that the world’s largest wine producer” only makes a very small percentage of “the total annual production of wine, which is illustrative of wine’s highly fragmented market structure.” It is within this market environment that Gallo has thrived, but never dominated the wine sector. “By comparison,” writes Hemming, “Coca-Cola owns about 50% of the global soft drinks market, while Anheuser-Busch has a 28% share of the global beer market.” Hemming believes this shows how “the industry [is] highly fragmented, with millions of smaller wine producers around the world each accounting for just a minuscule fraction of total global production.”

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Let me know your thoughts on this analysis.

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We're witnessing the democratization of high-quality cocktails. Is this even a hot take?🔥 The surge in RTD cocktails and "Beyond Beer" beverages isn't just about convenience or flavor variety—it's a strategic response to a seismic shift in drinking culture. Younger consumers are redefining what it means to enjoy a drink, prioritizing premium experiences without the hassle. This trend pressures traditional beer and spirits brands to innovate or risk obsolescence. Brands must evolve rapidly or be left behind in a market that craves instant, yet sophisticated, gratification. Are you ready for the future of drinking? #Innovation #BeverageIndustry #RTDCocktails #GenZ #Millennials #MarketTrends

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16 sentences of wisdom from bond trader turned restaurateur, Sean Feeney, that will make you a better person, friend, and leader. 1. The most important ingredient is the one that’s left out. 2. The greatest gift is courage. Give someone the courage to be themselves. 3. Success is doing something every day for the rest of your life, happy to do it. 4. Everyone has genius inside them. 5. Truly showing belief in others will buy them a ticket to someplace they never knew. 6. Hospitality is creativity plus compassion. 7. “That’s just the way it is,” tells you there’s money to be made. 8. It is tempting to have something for everyone but there is preciousness in not filling demand. 9. Create a brand that people chase, don’t chase people with your brand. 10. Make others feel a part of something. 11. You are one of us, whether you work with us or you're dining with us. 12. Treating others well is good for business. 13. Finish the day, asking, “How did I impact someone in a positive way?” 14. Know what works and be honest with what doesn't and don't do that. 15. Block out all the noise and keep it simple. 16. Believe every day is a good day. But don’t think it’ll be easy.

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When you have a new arrival or a product launch, lean on impulse buyers. … and maybe throw on a limited-time offer if you really want to seal the deal. New arrivals and product launches are SURPRISINGLY underutilized in the wine industry, imo. I can’t tell you how many wineries I’ve talked with who have new wines or experiences on their website that they have NEVER told their subscribers about. Very few of your customers will visit your website on their own to seek out your wines - send a new arrival or product launch email campaign to get more awareness and ultimately, more ecommerce! Missed our recent video and blog post about this? Watch or read here: https://lnkd.in/gJ5ZDm8b :: :: :: #emailmarketingisourjam #emailmavens #emailmarketingforwineries #sellmorewineonline #productlaunch #newarrival

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Is There Such Thing as Bad Wine? Our founder, Greg Martellotto, one of only 415 Italian Wine Ambassadors WORLDWIDE, dives deep into this question! Greg spills the tea (or should we say the vino?) on what really matters when choosing a bottle. Hint: it's not just about the price tag Watch now and learn how to avoid the grocery store duds and experience wine like a true connoisseur. 🇮🇹 #winewisdom #italianwine #winetasting #supportlocal #ditchthegrocerystorewine #wine #bighammerwines #bhw #winelover #winetasting #winetime #winery P.S. Want to know where to find amazing wines Greg recommends? Stay tuned!

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What are some of the macro trends that are likely to impact the U.S. wine marketplace over the next several years? That's the question I explore in this issue of the Fermentation Substack Newsletter. As a hint, think birthrate, Muslims, Ozempic, Cities v Rural and inflation. #wine #winebusiness #inflation #demographics

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