Farm Bill: Here We Go. The most consequential piece of legislation for the grape and wine industry is now on its way, and WineAmerica has already begun weighing in. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) have officially invited comments from anyone interested in this bill, which sets agricultural … Read more

Florida is the third largest state in terms of wine’s economic impact—after CA and TX, and ahead of NY—not because of its wine industry, but rather its large population and wine consumption, which boosts the wholesale and retail sectors. For perspective, the wine industry’s impact in CA comes in at $88.1 B, TX at 20.3 … Read more

National Vineyard Survey Alas, the wheels of government turn very slowly, which in some ways is good but may also be frustrating. Specifically, the national vineyard survey that was “encouraged” in the 2022 Omnibus spending bill, thanks to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, can’t even get started until there’s money specifically earmarked for it. So … Read more

Delaware Profile Delaware is a tiny state in the middle of everywhere, bordering three other states as well as the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. The Delmarva Peninsula combines Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, and to the north is Pennsylvania. In fact, Harvest Ridge Winery straddles Maryland and Delaware right at the Mason-Dixon Line, with a … Read more

2023 Government Affairs Agenda The 2023 legislative year is now fully underway, and  promises to be a busy one for WineAmerica. Our newly released 2023 Government Affairs book details nearly a dozen legislative and regulatory issues which will be tracked by Michael Kaiser, Executive Vice President and Director of Government Affairs.   The legislative issues … Read more