The 2018 Farm Bill includes three provisions that are important to specialty crops such as vineyards and wineries and that had been part of the previous bill passed in 2014: the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI), the Market Access Program (MAP) for export trade promotion, and Specialty Crop Block Grants (SCBG)

Thousands of Sonoma County residents who rely on groundwater will likely see new fees on their property tax bill next fall, helping pay for a legally required groundwater regulatory plan.

On Thursday, December 13, 2018, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) will publish a proposed rule in Federal Register proposing the establishment of the approximately 1,246 square-mile "Eastern Connecticut Highlands" American viticultural area in Hartford, New Haven, Tolland, Windham, New London, and Middlesex Counties in Connecticut.

the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) will publish a final rule in Federal Register expanding the 18,240-acre "Arroyo Seco" American viticultural area in Monterey County, California, by approximately 90 acres

On Friday, December 14, 2018, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) will publish a final rule in Federal Register establishing the 59,871-acre "Van Duzer Corridor" American viticultural area in portions of Polk and Yamhill Counties in Oregon

(TTB publishes a final rule in Federal Register expanding the 1,320 square-mile "Monticello" American viticultural area in portions of Albemarle, Greene, Nelson, and Orange Counties in Virginia by approximately 166 square miles, into Fluvanna County. The Monticello viticultural area and the expansion area are not located within any established viticultural area.

Global wine supply has moved from a short to a long position. Prices are being adjusted downward as a result. Only Australia's and South Africa's bulk wine prices remain higher now than this time last year

Holden has an extensive background in the luxury wine and spirits industry. Most recently, he was Chief Sales Officer at Huneeus Vintners and prior to that he held similar leadership roles at Treasury Wine Estates, Francis Ford Coppola, and Diageo, among others. In his three decades in the business, he has built and led sales and marketing teams that have achieved significant growth domestically and internationally.

Tom's history in the beverage alcohol community has revolved around launching new sales divisions that better align with distributor networks and driving unique channel strategies through his sales teams. He has developed brand and distribution management skills in executive roles at Treasury Wine Estates and Crimson Wine Group Brands.

Garth will be taking on responsibility for the sales and strategy of all domestic distribution of Accendo's Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc wines. For the past five years, Garth worked with Krug as United States brand ambassador for the prestigious Champagne house.

The Alpha Omega Collective, the umbrella brand for Alpha Omega, Tolosa and Perinet wineries has announced its partnership with Master Sommelier Bob Bath

The Bordeaux Wine Council, or CIVB, last week celebrated ten years of improving the area's environmental profile. The region's growers have been at the forefront of the French wine sector's clean-up efforts, particularly in terms of reducing CO2 production and the chemicals used to fight vineyard pests.

World trade in wines packaged in 2 to 10-litre bag-in-boxes totalled 4.3 million hectolitres worth €588.9 million in the twelve months ending June 2018. This represents an increase of 4% in volume and 9% in value respectively compared with the previous year, according to customs data compiled by the Spanish Wine Market Observatory (OeMV). Trade in boxed wine has been differentiated since 2017 by the customs code 220422. The figures show that bag-in-boxes have continued to grow, now accounting for 2% of the volumes and 4% of the value of wines traded worldwide.

Want a great vintage of a great wine? Move sideways and you'll find an absolute bargain.

The Colorado Department of Revenue (DOR) announced that it is extending the grace period through May 31, 2019, to in-state AND out-of-state retailers to comply with new sales tax collections rules. These new rules would have required wineries with "substantial nexus" to begin collecting Colorado state, local and special district sales taxes on sales shipped to consumers in Colorado beginning Dec. 1, 2018.

What bottles do Americans purchase, drink and serve to their friends? What are winemakers, sommeliers, and importers focused on in order to put forth a better product for consumers? How does the environment shape the wine industry? Experts from around the field weigh in on how we'll drink in 2019.

Water managers from seven Southwestern states that depend on the Colorado River for drinking and irrigation water are getting closer to finalizing an unprecedented drought contingency plan they may have to enact in 2020, officials said Thursday.

The plan under consideration by the Water Resources Control Board would alter management of the Lower San Joaquin River and three tributaries to address what environmental groups say is a crisis in the delta that empties into San Francisco Bay.

The legislation removes hemp from the list of federally controlled substances, including products made with derivative extracts such as cannabinoid, or CBD, oil.

U.S. sales of self-propelled combines gained 9.2% in November compared to last year, and U.S. sales of 4-wheel-drive tractors increased 60.7% month-over-month. November year-to-date U.S. sales showed a 16.6% growth for combines and 15.9% growth for 4-wheel-drive tractors.

Wine consumption in China is expected to rise by more than a third to $23 billion in 2021, when it will reach a volume of 192 million cases, according to Vinexpo. That's a growth rate of 30%. Noticing this trend, Hein Koegelenberg, chairman at the South African wine producer L'Huguenot Vineyards, saw an opportunity. In 2013, together with Chinese distribution company Yangzhou Perfect China, the company created a range of wines specifically for the Chinese market. The result was Perfect Wines of South Africa and the brand now accounts for 25% of all South African wines sales in China.

Liv-ex 100-a benchmark for the fine wine market-has eluded the roller coasters experienced by global equities, trading within a 2% range throughout 2018, according to a report by London-based Liv-ex released Thursday.

President and CEO of Banfi Vintners, Cristina Mariani-May, joins Yahoo Finance's Dan Roberts, Myles Udland, and Melody Hahm as they discuss a recent study showing that people who drink moderate levels of red wine are less likely to get sick. Mariani-May also shares samples of a couple wine varieties with the panel.

Ontario government launches online consultations with vow to improve 'customer convenience'

At this time it's unclear if the threats -- which have been received in San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Miami, Washington, DC and other locations nationwide -- are connected. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said they are aware of the threats and are working with law enforcement to provide assistance.

Pernod Ricard has an activist investor in its midst - Amy Hopkins asks what the move means for the French drinks firm, which is standing by its plan for long-term growth.

Outside Nashik, a city around 160 kilometres north-east of Mumbai, dozens of billboards advertise wineries along the country roads. At Sula, the biggest and oldest of the farms, some 350,000 people visit each year for tours and wine tastings, which happen on the hour. A majority, say staff, will never have tasted wine before.