Mary Baker of Dover Canyon Winery has a series of posts called Inside a Wine Scam in which she chronicles how a Nigerian scammer is trying to take American wineries for a ride. She describes how the scam works and what wineries and other merchants can do to protect themselves against them.
Links to all her [...]

Monterey County is placing wine maker Steve Pessagno on the county Planning Commission as replacement for rancher Miguel Errea whose term ended last month.
According to [County Supervisor Simon] Salinas, Pessagno’s expertise in the wine industry was a key element in his favor because of the industry’s growing importance to the county’s economy and the emergence [...]

GateHouse Media Inc.-owned MPNnow.com reports that Constellation Brands Inc. is denying rumors that it is looking to sell three of its wineries for about $200 million, but the quote that MPNnow.com uses isn’t really a denial:
“We do not comment on rumors or speculations,” said Mike Martin, vice president of communications. “At this point, there isn’t [...]

This past Saturday and Sunday marked the grand opening, or rather, the grand reopening of Ruby Hill Winery in Pleasanton, California. Originally built in 1887, the resurrection of this historic winery is a testament to the ongoing development occurring within the once-dominant wine region of Livermore Valley.
The story of Livermore Valley dates [...]

We went to the 17th annual Boston Wine Expo yesterday. What a tremendous event. Hundreds of exhibitors pouring wines from all across the world. Large crowds of wine enthusiasts crowding the tables. Good times had by all, I hope.
Over the next few days we will post photos and video clips from the event, as [...]

The Washington Wine Commission has released a press release that details the economic importance of the wine industry in Washington state:
The Washington wine, grape and grape juice industries contribute $3 billion annually to the state’s economy and more than $4.7 billion annually to the U.S. economy, according to a new study commissioned by the Washington [...]

As the country eases its way into February, couples in every corner of the U.S. are racking their brains for original ideas on how to surprise and indulge their loved ones come this Valentine’s Day. While flowers and chocolate may serve as an old standby for what I like to call the slackers “eleventh-hour [...]

The Shelbyville, Tennessee, Times Gazette reports that Lynchburg Cakes and Candies is teaming up with Shelbyville winery Tri-Star Vineyards to produce Tennessee Wine Drops:
Lynchburg Cakes and Candies has already had great success with its Whiskey Cakes, which went into high demand after they were featured on the Food Network and “The View” on several occasions. [...]

Erie Times-News weighs in with an article on the bill in the Pennsylvania state legislature that would ban wineries from shipping straight to consumers, a topic we mentioned in a post last week. Pennsylvania wine-makers quite reasonably fear that the proposal will hurt the state’s wineries. The ban would force wineries to sell only through [...]

Wine Business Monthly has named Willamette Valley Vineyards in Oregon the country’s “Hottest Small Brand” of 2007.
Jon Fredrikson has named Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in Washington the 2007 Winery of the Year.
Napa Valley-based blog The Cork Board visits the Sequoia Grove winery.
Cannon River Winery in Minnesota drew 134 visitors to its Night at the Winery [...]