The Wine Knows

Hey Everyone!

I know there are a lot of wine industry people reading this forum on a regular basis, so I wanted to ask how local wineries are doing during the recession. I have spent 21 years in real estate, and have never seen my industry this slow. I have had to cut back on my wine purchases, and have stuck to buying wines I know and love versus taking chances with new wineries or wines I have never had before. Am I alone in this?

I have heard on national news that California wineries are doing ok in terms of sales, but that more people are buying the "value" bottles and spending less money on overall wine purchases. Over the winter, as we discussed on this site, several wineries were offering free shipping and other deals to sell wine. I haven't received very many e-mail updates from Washington wineries lately, but I receive at least one per week from California wineries. There seem to be less "sales" going on right now and I haven't received any free shipping offers lately, either. Too bad, because I often buy from a winery I like if there is free shipping involved!

So... any winery folk here have any insights?

Cheers!
Tim