The global wine trade. A U.S. perspective.
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A Sotheby’s auction of 676 lots from Château Haut-Brion’s cellars brought in €3.4 million, within its overall estimate range. The October 1 sale included wines from 1935 to 2025. Several lots exceeded their high estimates, including a five-litre 1989 red that sold for €62,500.
Business & markets
A Sommelier India opinion feature examines efforts to extend rosé sales beyond summer and the rise of styles that sit between rosé and red wine. It describes Bordeaux claret and southern French blouge as examples, linking demand for fresher, lower-tannin wines to warmer conditions and changing drinking preferences. The piece also discusses chilled and ice-served wines as ways to broaden occasions for lighter styles.
Business & markets
Sula Vineyards founder Rajeev Samant says India’s small wine market remains a central growth opportunity, even as the company expands its business beyond winemaking. The Nashik-based group operates five wineries, sells about one million cases annually and has grown its hospitality capacity to around 150 rooms, according to Aabkari Times.
Business & markets
California wine businesses are confronting lower demand, export losses and pressure to sell vineyards and winery assets. SFGATE reports that McManis Family Vineyards is listed for $77.95 million, while its exports to Canada fell sharply between July 2025 and July 2026. Industry experts cited in the report point to changing consumer habits and oversupply, even as some buyers see opportunities in lower-priced properties.
Business & markets
California winery McManis Family Vineyards has put its winery and associated vineyards on the market amid weaker conditions. The report says the company’s exports to Canada fell sharply between July 2025 and July 2026, while industry figures and analysts point to trade losses and changing consumption patterns as pressures on wineries and growers.
Business & markets
Rack & Riddle has appointed Laura Webb as chief marketing officer. Webb most recently served as vice president of sales, marketing and DTC at Cakebread Cellars, and previously held roles at Brown-Forman and E. & J. Gallo Winery. The company says she will lead strategy, innovation, commercialization and marketing as it expands production capacity and its Sonoma County footprint.
Business & markets
The 2026 auction recorded R18.22 million in sales and 2,220 cases sold, up 5.9% and 16% respectively from 2025. Average bottle prices fell, while whites and Cap Classique achieved a higher average price than reds for the first time in the Guild’s history. Trade buyers accounted for 44% of purchase value.
Business & markets
U.S. wine sales and grape production are under pressure as growers reduce acreage and some wineries struggle financially. California acreage in production fell to 510,000 acres in 2025, from 590,000, while its 2025 crush was the smallest since 1999, according to figures cited in The Food Institute’s report. Experts point to lower demand alongside rising production and operating challenges.
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Business & markets
Business & markets
Sotheby’s reported €3.4m in sales at an auction of Château Haut-Brion wines and experiences in Paris. A five-litre 1989 Haut-Brion sold for €62,500, which Sotheby’s said was an auction record for the wine in that format. A barrique of the 2025 vintage with an estate visit and overnight stay fetched €162,500.
Business & markets
The Prosecco DOC Consortium is running a UK campaign on the London Underground and Prime Video through mid-October. The effort is part of broader UK marketing, consumer engagement and trade activity, as the consortium seeks to build awareness of the denomination and its production rules.
Business & markets
Marchesi Antinori says about 30,000 bottles, including Tignanello, Solaia and Guado al Tasso, were stolen from a storage facility in Tuscany. The company said seven masked men disabled the alarm. The reported theft follows other high-value wine thefts in Italy this year.