California Wine, Tariffs, and the Hidden Cost of a Glass

Exciting news — I was recently featured on Spectrum News SoCal! Read on for my insights and link to view the full segment.

Exciting news! I was recently featured on Spectrum News 1 - SoCal as a wine industry analyst, discussing a pressing issue for California’s wine community: trade tariffs and their impact on small wineries. Watch the full segment here.

When most people imagine the wine world, they picture glamour — swirling glasses at vineyard sunsets, exclusive tastings, and romantic cellars filled with French oak barrels. The truth, however, is much less glossy. Behind the scenes, most family-run wineries and independent wine businesses operate on razor-thin margins, making them especially vulnerable to shifting economic conditions.

Tariffs are just one more challenge layered on top of already rising costs: imported barrels, corks, and glass are all significantly more expensive, while labor and living costs continue to climb. For many producers, this isn’t just about profitability — it’s about survival.

That’s why conversations like this matter. The global wine industry is navigating strong headwinds, and trade uncertainty only deepens the strain on small producers who form the backbone of California wine.

I was honored to join this important discussion alongside legendary winemaker Adam Tolmach of The Ojai Vineyard and Andrew Coble of Majestic Oak Vineyard.

My heartfelt thanks to reporter Ryan Thompson of Spectrum News SoCal for shining a spotlight on this issue, and to Honest Bottle Shop for welcoming the crew on-site.

At Mindful Wine, we believe that behind every bottle, there’s a bigger story. Follow along and subscribe to stay connected with the conversations and the people shaping the future of wine.

Chiara Shannon

Mindful Wine™