Why is Wine PR Struggling So Much?

Adam, Joanna, and Zach debate whether extensive non-alcoholic cocktail programs at bars are actually making these bars any money. More to the point, if they're not, why do bars still feel compelled to invest time, labor, and money into this section of their menus: is it impress a relatively small cadre of other bartenders and members of the media who are particularly keen on N/A? Do they feel like guests will look at their menu askance, even if those guests will end up choosing a drink with alcohol in it? Or are most not willing to look at that critically at what has become a trendy way to signal...something? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Zach is reading: The Rise of the 'Convertible' CocktailJoanna is reading: More Bourbon Distilleries Are Closing. So What Happens to the Whiskey?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach ponder the question of why the wine industry is struggling so bad with PR and communications. Does the industry just not pay well enough to consistently attract top talent? Why is it so difficult to understand that different journalists and publications have different standards and priorities? Plus - can we please put an end to "spray and pray" PR blasts? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Zach is drinking: Tai Dai at Zig Zag CafeJoanna is drinking: N/A Negroni Sbagliato from Bitter MonkAdam is drinking: Transmitter Brewing B5NY Pale AleInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by VinePair contributing editor Dave Infante to discuss his most recent reporting surrounding national wholesaler RNDC's plans to sell off their business in seven states to up-and-comer Reyes Beverage Group. Will this move potentially stanch the bleeding for RNDC, which pulled out of California entirely in 2025 and has been losing suppliers left and right, or is this a sign that even more sell-offs are in the forecast? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Zach is reading: Stop Asking Your Bartender for Less Ice in Your CocktailJoanna is listening to: The Buildout Podcast: Double Chicken PleaseAdam is reading: Anheuser-Busch Is Selling Cutwater Like Crazy — and Keeping Quiet About the Viral #ChallengeInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach address the recent changes to America's dietary guidelines as issued by the Department of Health, in particular the removal of any particular limit on the number of alcoholic beverages considered safe. While the drinks industry is clearly viewing this a big win, and perhaps it is when compared to the much more anti-alcohol language that some feared would be used, will this actually halt the industry's overall slump? Do all that many people actually use these guidelines as, well, guidelines? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Zach is drinking: 2008 Domaine André Brunel "Les Cailloux" Châteauneuf-du-PapeJoanna is drinking: Malivoire Wine Company Gamay NoirAdam is drinking: Château Peyrassol RoséInstagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam, Joanna, and Zach respond to a listener question about recent news that the popular reservation platform OpenTable is providing algorithmically-derived information about users to restaurants: notes that a given guest might frequently be late, linger over their table, or have certain preferences. Does this make anything better for anyone, or does it crudely recreate the earned knowledge and relationship that a restaurant might have with a frequent diner? Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Zach is reading: Welcome to Alcohol’s Slop EraJoanna is reading: The 20 Best Non-Alcoholic Beers for 2026Adam is reading: Is This the American Version of Ichiro’s Malt Card Series?Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To ring in 2026, Adam, Joanna, and Zach continue a yearly tradition on the podcast, offering their predictions for what 2026 will bring for the drinks industry. Will red blends have their moment in the sun again? What will happen to "funky" wines? Will the "total beverage" trend continue? All that, and much more. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In another preview of VinePair's latest podcast "The Buildout," Adam sits down with Maison Premiere co-founder Joshua Boissy to discuss his early career in the hospitality industry, how he and co-founder Krystof Zizka made Maison Premiere a reality, and what it's like keeping a bar vibrant and exciting 15 years in. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a yearly tradition, Adam, Joanna, and Zach are joined by members of the VinePair staff to share some of their favorite and most memorable drinking experiences in 2025. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium inSacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an episode from VinePair's newest podcast series "The Buildout," Adam sits down with The Dead Rabbit co-founder Jack McGarry to talk about his early career as a bartender in Ireland, what brought him to New York, and how The Dead Rabbit remains a vital and vibrant part of New York's drinks scene. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium inSacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a yearly tradition, Adam, Joanna, and Zach discuss some of the biggest stories, trends, and changes in the world of drinks in 2025. From the ongoing tumult surrounding tariffs and the general economic situation, to significant sales and business collapses, to potential bright spots with drinking habits more generally, it was a chaotic, confusing, and confounding year to be sure. Please remember to subscribe to, rate, and review The VinePair Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your episodes, and send any questions, comments, critiques, or suggestions to [email protected]. Thanks for listening, and cheers!Join us for a live podcast recording at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, California on Wednesday, January 28, 2026Instagram: @adamteeter, @jcsciarrino, @zgeballe, @vinepair Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.