News Articles - Wine Industry Digest

Michel Rolland, Pioneering Winemaker Who Shaped Global Tastes, Dies at 78

You might also like Bloomberg Sep 18, 2026 News

Tibet's wine industry is quietly taking off, with vineyards now producing fruit in a region that's rarely made headlines in the wine world. Bloomberg reports on how the high-altitude terrain and favourable growing conditions are enabling this unlikely venture to gain traction. It's a fascinating example of how wine production is expanding into unexpected corners of the globe.

Ukraine winemakers defy war to make a splash at home

You might also like New Age Sep 15, 2026 News

Ukrainian winemakers are continuing to produce wine despite the ongoing war, refusing to let conflict derail their industry. The story showcases their determination to maintain production and market their wines domestically, demonstrating remarkable resilience in challenging circumstances. It's an inspiring example of how the wine sector is adapting and persisting through extraordinary adversity.

2026 Young Winemaker and Young Viticulturist of the Year announced

You might also like The Shout Aug 30, 2026 News

New Zealand has announced its 2026 Young Winemaker and Young Viticulturist of the Year. Nick Lamain, 30, from Isabel Estate in Marlborough, took the winemaking title after competing in the programme for five years, whilst 24-year-old Kris Godsall from Cloudy Bay was named Young Viticulturist. The competition tested candidates on technical skills, wine judging, lab work, and sustainability practices, with one competitor notably competing in both categories.

Western Australia’s Dark Horse: Frankland River Claims First Decanter Best in Show

You might also like Vino Joy News Aug 27, 2026 News

A Shiraz from Frankland River in Western Australia's Great Southern region has won Best in Show at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards, marking a breakthrough moment for the lesser-known wine area. The winning wine is priced at AU$40, making the achievement particularly significant as it shows that quality and prestige aren't confined to premium price points or famous regions. The win puts a spotlight on Western Australia's emerging wine areas and offers a compelling story for importers and retailers looking for distinctive, award-winning wines.

‘Pretty bleak’: More than half of Gisborne’s vineyards ripped out

You might also like NZ Herald Aug 21, 2026 News

More than half of New Zealand's Gisborne vineyards are being pulled out, according to the NZ Herald. Described as 'pretty bleak' by those affected, the mass vineyard removal signals serious distress in one of the country's major wine regions. This represents a significant reshaping of global wine production capacity and reflects the broader challenges facing vineyard operators worldwide.

2026 Delivers Record Early Harvests

You might also like Wine-Searcher Aug 20, 2026 News

Winemakers across the northern hemisphere are experiencing record-early harvests in 2026, signalling a significant shift in climate patterns that's forcing the industry to rethink production timelines and practices. The reset in growing conditions means vintners will need to adjust their traditional approaches to picking, fermentation, and vintage management. This is a developing trend that will likely affect everything from fruit quality to cellar operations for producers worldwide.

SA govt moves to strengthen state’s wine industry amid global challenges

You might also like Winetitles Media Aug 14, 2026 News

South Africa's government is taking steps to bolster its wine industry as producers face mounting global pressures. The move underscores the challenges facing wine exporters worldwide and shows how state support is becoming increasingly important for maintaining competitiveness in key producing regions. For those importing from or trading with South African producers, this is worth keeping an eye on.

US write-down hits Treasury Wine Estates hard as it reports AU$1 billion loss

You might also like Harpers Wine & Spirit Aug 13, 2026 News

Treasury Wine Estates has reported a AU$1 billion loss in its latest financial results, driven largely by a significant write-down in its US operations. The Australian wine giant, which owns brands including Penfolds and Beaulieu Vineyard, faces mounting pressures in one of its key markets. This will have ripple effects across UK and EU importers and retailers who stock TWE's extensive portfolio.

Extreme heat compresses the 2026 wine harvest worldwide

You might also like Vinetur Aug 12, 2026 News

Extreme heat is compressing the 2026 wine harvest worldwide, bringing forward vintage dates and potentially creating ripple effects across production and supply chains. This early harvest comes as the industry grapples with climate volatility, affecting everything from winemaking decisions to inventory planning. Producers, importers and retailers will need to adjust their strategies as the growing season accelerates globally.

More than £374 million wiped off Endeavour Group profits

You might also like The Drinks Business Aug 5, 2026 News

Endeavour Group, one of Australia's largest wine and liquor retailers, is making a dramatic strategic pivot. The company plans to divest most of its Australian wineries and vineyards, cutting its own grape growing by 80% and shifting instead to buying in bulk wine and grapes from external growers. The restructuring has triggered AU$311 million in asset writedowns, pushing annual profits down from AU$426 million to just AU$52 million, signalling a major shift away from vertical integration in Australian wine production.

An Israeli Partnership Helps Tanzania Grow Its Wine Industry

You might also like The Media Line Aug 3, 2026 News

Tanzania is developing its wine industry with help from Israeli agricultural expertise and partnership. The collaboration highlights how wine production knowledge is spreading to new regions and shows the potential for African wine markets to grow beyond traditional producing nations. It's an interesting signal of emerging opportunities in the global wine trade.

Gabb Family Wines appoints Julian Grubb in global expansion

You might also like Harpers Wine & Spirit Jul 23, 2026 News

Gabb Family Wines has appointed Julian Grubb to spearhead its global expansion strategy. Grubb, an experienced wine industry executive, will lead the producer's push into new international markets. The move signals the company's ambitions to scale beyond its current footprint.

Australia's 2026 wine harvest fell to its lowest level in 25 years

You might also like Vinetur Jul 20, 2026 News

Australia's 2026 wine harvest has hit its lowest level in a quarter century, marking a significant disruption to one of the world's largest wine-exporting nations. The sharp decline will likely reverberate through UK and EU import markets, affecting availability and potentially driving up prices on Australian wines in the coming months. Industry professionals should monitor how this shortage reshapes competition between regions and impacts their sourcing strategies.

Australia's Winegrape Harvest Fell to Its Smallest Level in More Than 25 Years

You might also like Vinetur Jul 15, 2026 News

Australia's winegrape harvest has hit its smallest volume in over 25 years, marking a significant contraction in the country's wine production. The collapse will likely have ripple effects across global wine supply chains, affecting importers, distributors and retailers who rely on Australian fruit and finished wines. This is important context for anyone sourcing from or doing business with the region.

Actor and wine champion Sam Neill dies aged 78

You might also like The Shout Jul 13, 2026 News

Sam Neill, the acclaimed actor and founder of Two Paddocks winery in Central Otago, has died aged 78. Neill was a passionate advocate for New Zealand wine for over 30 years, consistently promoting Central Otago as a world-class Pinot Noir region comparable to Burgundy. Just days before his death, he was named a Fellow of New Zealand Winegrowers in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the industry.

To make wine is to believe in the future: the Ukrainians growing grapes on the frontline

You might also like The Guardian Jul 12, 2026 News

Ukrainian winemaker Mykhailo Molchanov is tending his organic vines at Steppe Wines in southern Ukraine, doing what he can to keep his business alive despite ongoing military conflict nearby. Growing grapes directly into the region's biodiverse steppe grassland, Molchanov represents a wider determination among Ukrainian producers to maintain their vineyards and protect the country's emerging wine sector through the war. It's a striking example of how geopolitical disruption affects wine producers in real time.

Thieves stole $320,000 in rare Burgundy from a Milan restaurant in under three minutes

You might also like Vinetur Jun 30, 2026 News

Thieves made off with approximately £250,000 worth of rare Burgundy wines from a Milan restaurant in less than three minutes, highlighting the ongoing security challenges faced by fine dining establishments across Europe. The brazen heist underscores the vulnerability of premium wine collections and the high stakes involved in storing and serving rare vintages. It's a stark reminder of why restaurants and wine merchants investing in robust security measures is critical to protecting valuable inventory.

International Wine Challenge announces new global regional structure - theshout.co.nz

You might also like The Shout Jun 22, 2026 News

The International Wine Challenge has announced a new global regional structure for its operations. This restructuring from the prestigious London-based competition could affect how European wines are evaluated and categorised in the competition, making it of interest to UK and EU producers who regularly enter.

News

Michel Rolland, Pioneering Winemaker Who Shaped Global Tastes, Dies at 78

Pompeii Revives Ancient Vineyards in Archaeological Park to Reconnect with Its Cultural Heritage

📺 Watch Tibet’s Unlikely Wine Industry Is Bearing Fruit