Wine News: What I’m Reading the Week of 8/2/26

Hello and welcome to my weekly roundup of the wine stories that I find of interest on the web. I spend each week exploring the internet for everything published about wine online, and here’s all the stuff that I think would be worth your valuable time. Sales Are So Low, California Wineries Are Burning Their Vineyards Leave it to the NYT to sensationalize the headline. The burning is incidental to the ripping out. What a Security Crisis in Guadalajara Taught Me About the Risks—and Rewards—of Travel Not wine related at all, but a really nice piece by Ray Isle. David Hirsch, 1944–2026 A serious loss for California wine. Hirsch was a true legend. David Hirsch, Who Turned Sonoma Coast Into World-Class Wine Region, Dies at 81 A lovely obit from Eric Asimov. Georgia – no lack of tension Jancis on Georgia. What We Know About New Tariffs on American Alcohol No good and very bad. We Brought Receipts A better way to offer a “where to buy” link on your website. Michelin And The Death Of The Wine Guide Guides are out, says Andy Neather. BYOB Rules: Why the Debate Is So Heated Right Now The Dottie and John guide to corkage. “There’s Always a New Wave” Today’s modernists are tomorrow’s classics. PlumpJack Pits Screwcap Against Cork A very long trial of screwcaps from a leading Napa winery. Experts see early progress in wine industry reset I’m not watching the fine signals amidst the noise, but this seems like a too-early optimism to me. US wine industry risks losing ground without collective marketing Yes, but the biggest players won’t buy in (ahem: Gallo). Can Vineyard ‘Mothballing’ Help Growers Weather Wine Market Collapse? Mothballing is a bit of a misnomer. It’s about reducing input costs. Into the fold A lovely introduction to Heaven and Earth by Malu Lambert. Why a little-known Mediterranean wine region is having a Bay Area moment Croatia on the rise, apparently. As Fires Menace Bordeaux, Winemakers See Another Blow to Their Livelihood Pray for good winds, people. Malu Lambert: Noordhoek emerges as a Cape wine destination A wine writer can’t escape wine country. Emidio Pepe, Pioneering Vintner of Italy’s Abruzzo Region, Dies at 94 THE legend of Abruzzo. RIP. The Long Way Home A family returns to their pioneering vineyard. I Studied Wine for 12 Weeks. It Taught Me the Skills AI Can’t Replace Cultivate beginner’s mind. Winery that rose from the ashes of Napa wildfire faces foreclosure 2 years after reopening Youch. That was a short-lived renaissance. Hot Weather Plagues French Harvest Prayers to the rain gods are myriad. Meet the Barolo Masters Betting Big on Barbaresco Used to be the affordable Nebbiolo. Not much longer. What Else Do We Lose When People Give Up Booze? Togetherness, for one. How Wineries Are Reinventing the Tasting Room Experience Not just bellying up to the bar anymore. An Israeli Partnership Helps Tanzania Grow Its Wine Industry Love the collaboration.