O'Neill Vintners & Distillers’ Post

Check out this interview with Ann Reynolds of the Wine Compliance Alliance.

Great article covering two things I like, Wine and more importantly the growth of the B Corp Movement and how it moves the dial in creating an economic model that makes environmental, economic and social sense.

Why are wineries around the world seeking #BCorp Certification? 🍇 While organic and biodynamic certifications have long been valued in the winery scene, there's been a glaring blind spot when it comes to how workers are treated. But that’s changing. Wineries around Europe and the world are recognizing the importance of #SocialSustainability, seeking B Corp Certification to signal their commitment to people and the planet. “B Corp seemed the most complete and exhaustive commitment to our environmental and social goals.” - Saskia D., Chief Executive of French B Corp Les Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite. In his latest article for The New York Times, Eric Asimov explores how B Corp-certified wineries are reshaping the narrative of what it means to produce exceptional wines responsibly. 👉 Uncork the full story here: https://nyti.ms/3x0mN8o 💡 FACT: There are 35 B Corps in the wine industry in Europe (excluding the UK). European B Corps mentioned in the article: Champagne Bollinger, Piper-Heidsieck, Charles Heidsieck & Rare Champagne, Avignonesi, and Les Domaines Barons de Rothschild Lafite.

I have worked with B Corps and B Lab for about 15 years and one of my takeaways from this great article published by The New York Times and written by Eric Asimov is how competition among wineries has accelerated adoption of and adherence to the movement in that industry. The dynamic is familiar: when one industry player becomes certified, the pressure on their competitors ramps up thanks to healthy competition. And becoming certified is not an exercise of being 'dusted and done.' Once the values of stakeholder capitalism take root, companies thrive on continual improvement.

The key takeaway from yesterday's quarterly Craft Wine Association's Advocacy Group meeting: How easy does your winery make it for the media to write about you? Our speaker, Carl Giavanti, a winery publicist, provided valuable insights into achieving media success for wineries. My takeaways included: ▪️ Having a dedicated trade and media page on your website. ▪️ Providing a compelling story about your brand, along with background information and owner bios. ▪️ Ensuring contact details for a publicity manager are available on your website, and that this person is responsive to emails. ▪️ Building trust through consistent responsiveness and maintaining a public presence. This raises the question for all producers: Are you making it easy for your winery to be featured in the media? Do you have bottle shots, background information, trade information, and a person in charge of publicity? During the meeting, following Carl's insightful talk, Sean O'Leary, Irish Liquor Lawyer, provided an update on the Chevron Deference and Total Wines Case. Advocacy Group Chair, Steven Harrison, also shared updates on the continued support and distribution of the National Direct Shipping Bill of Rights. The CWA's next Advocacy meeting will be held in October. Please be on the lookout for the RSVP link. If you would like to join the CWA, or you are curious about what legislation we are tracking, please visit the website -

Excellent and Free Course on the Wines of the Rhone Valley offered by Napa Valley Wine Academy in conjunction with Inter-Rhone. Intermediate level done in 4 parts that does nice coverage of Cotes du Rhone AOC, CDR Named Villages, the Crus of the CDR and Other AOC's of the Rhone Valley. You are awarded a Certificate upon successful pass of the final exam at three stages. Good news is that you have unlimited attempts. Lots of info is covered, so its good that they broke it down into 4 sections. Great way to learn about this important region and a fantastic review even if you think you know it. Do you know how many CDR Villages are allowed to append their names? How many Crus North and South in the CDR? The difference between Cotes du Rhone and the Rhone Valley? What types of wines are produced in each Cru or each of the Villages with DGC? If not, you will benefit from doing this course. Hop on the NVWA website https://lnkd.in/gmiG8gkV and check it out. Membership gives you access to even more study tool, video education, webinars, WSET helps and mock exams and a free Certification course of your choice for Napa Valley, Oregon, Argentina or American Wine.

Contemplating what patience while ambling through vineyards 🌸 Patience is a virtue, especially in the meticulous craft of winemaking.  Like a fine wine, success in any endeavor requires time, dedication, and an appreciation for gradual progress. Winemakers understand that the best results come from allowing grapes to mature naturally, harvesting them at the perfect moment, and then letting the wine age gracefully in barrels. This process can take years, but the outcome—a bottle of exquisite wine—is worth the wait. Similarly, in our professional lives, we must recognize that true achievement often requires sustained effort and a willingness to wait for the right opportunities to ripen. Cultivating patience can lead to better decision-making, enhanced problem-solving skills, and more fulfilling outcomes. Just as winemakers trust in the process, so should we trust that our hard work and patience will yield the best results over time. Let’s embrace patience, savor the journey, and toast to the successes that come from waiting. Cheers! ✨ #PatienceIsAVirtue #ProfessionalGrowth #TrustTheProcess #8bridges #CareerDevelopment #LeadershipLessons

Such a good article, well worth a read!! It is guaranteed to resonate with you, wherever you are in the wine industry!! #brucejackwine #kandlwinesonline #kandlwines

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The future of wine festival customer experience is here. It doesn't matter whether you are a winery, operator, influencer, or attendee. The ability to create engaging digital experiences that support and enhance the modern wine festival experience is critical for younger, more digitally-savvy, modern wine consumers. #winefestival #winesales #winemarketing