TODAY'S TOP NEWS

• French wine and spirits exports hit new record in 2017
• Save now! -- Vinexpo New York: March 5 & 6 – Register to Attend with Wine Industry Insight Discount Code: WII100 & Save $50 *Sponsored Link*

• Napa County wine family sells Sonoma craft brewery to distiller
• Maceration Magic at Central Coast Group Project
• When Carl Doumani Calls ~ A Petite Master Has Answers
• Temecula wineries roll out the barrels
• Lodi Honors Longtime Farm Advisor
• Become an Exhibitor By Feb 10 and Meet Distributors, Retailers and Importers at the 2018 USA Trade Tasting and Get 2 Day ABID Conference Ticket Included *Sponsored Link*

• Santa Barbara County Farmers Report $20 Million in Losses from Natural Disasters
• After fires, Sonoma County seeks to defend landscape against next disaster

• A Trip to a Marijuana Retail Store in the LA Area
• Cannabis Drinks Expo Launched By Beverage Trade Network will bring the global Cannabis drinks industry into one roof. Get more information here. *Sponsored Link*

DROUGHT/WATER

• Dry, hot California winter closes ski resorts, stalls wildflower blooms and revives drought fears
• California’s drought restrictions on wasteful water habits could be coming back — this time they’ll be permanent
• Economic Analysis of Stage I of the California WaterFix: Costs and Benefits to Urban and Agricultural Participants (PDF)
• Advice on Voluntary Settlements for California’s Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan Part 1: Addressing a Manageable Suite of Ecosystem Problems
• Paso Robles: Winter 2017-2018 remains one of our driest ever, but at least it's gotten cold again.

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE TOP NEWS

• The Science of Whole-Cluster Fermentation
• Old love needs a Bacchus wine, not a Cupid wine.
• Does wine taste better at 30,000 feet? American Airlines wants to find out
• Floral whites celebrated in Boonville

• Meet Oregon Winemaker Blair Trathen
• Get to know these women in the wine industry
• Unfiltered: Salvatore Sicilia, Salt Yard Group
• A Q&A with Dan Nicholl: Auctioneer for The Cape Wine Auction

• Airbnb's 'Experiences' business on track for 1 million bookings, profitability

• City Winery Helps Rebuild Puerto Rico
• Effects of Alberta's B.C wine boycott already being felt by local wineries
• WV: Mon Commission says wine and liquor tax revenue data missing

• Planet Bordeaux Wines are Red, White, Rose… and Green

• Sparkling sales continue to fizz in the UK
• Portugal tourist arrivals spike 12 pct to new record in 2017
• In France, why should Wine always be demonized?
• Frédéric-Marc Burrier believes premier cru status was Pouilly-Fuissé's destiny

• Sir George Fistonich steps down as Villa Maria CEO after 55 years
• NZ Wine company, directors and staffer accused of fraud over alleged mislabelled bottles
• OZ: Doing it for the hipsters - WA liquor reform 'common sense'

• Wine corrections in 1772

• Denver Sake Maker Stuck Between Wine and Beer Laws