W. Blake Gray
@wblakegray.bsky.social
Best Online Wine Columnist in the World! 2013 Roederer Award in that category, and they stopped giving out that award immediately afterward. In perpetuity!
I cannot count the number of times some fact-free food publication has written "nobody drinks Chardonnay anymore."
Leading Grape Varieties Crushed in California, 2024
With 17.8%, Chardonnay is a distant #1, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (15.4%), French Colombard (9%), Pinot Noir (7.4%), and Zinfandel (6.8%).
With 17.8%, Chardonnay is a distant #1, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (15.4%), French Colombard (9%), Pinot Noir (7.4%), and Zinfandel (6.8%).
November 15, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I cannot count the number of times some fact-free food publication has written "nobody drinks Chardonnay anymore."
Reposted by W. Blake Gray
the SF Chronicle is hiring a food reporter, I assume because Elena Kadvany took the Associate F&W Editor job that had been open a long time and this was her former gig.
eevd.fa.us6.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
eevd.fa.us6.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Food Reporter
The San Francisco Chronicle seeks a reporter to lead the conversation on Bay Area restaurant industry news, including major openings, closings and trends, and to write discourse-defining features abou...
eevd.fa.us6.oraclecloud.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
the SF Chronicle is hiring a food reporter, I assume because Elena Kadvany took the Associate F&W Editor job that had been open a long time and this was her former gig.
eevd.fa.us6.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
eevd.fa.us6.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid...
Reposted by W. Blake Gray
It’s a bloodbath. washingtonbeerblog.com/rogue-brewer...
Rogue Brewery Abruptly Ceases Operations at All of its Locations
Effective immediately, Rogue ceased operations at all its facilities, including the brewery in Newport, OR, and its pubs in Astoria, Newport, Portland, and Salem.
washingtonbeerblog.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:56 PM
It’s a bloodbath. washingtonbeerblog.com/rogue-brewer...
I interviewed 4 of the wine industry's leading analysts to ask:
When will the wine industry hit bottom? Will we know it when we get there?
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/ar...
When will the wine industry hit bottom? Will we know it when we get there?
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/ar...
Are We There Yet? Wine's Search for Rock Bottom | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
The US wine industry is hurting, but how much further down can it go before swinging back to recovery? Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
www.wine-searcher.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:27 PM
I interviewed 4 of the wine industry's leading analysts to ask:
When will the wine industry hit bottom? Will we know it when we get there?
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/ar...
When will the wine industry hit bottom? Will we know it when we get there?
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/ar...
Reposted by W. Blake Gray
U.S. Table Wine Consumption by State, 2023
November 9, 2025 at 9:59 PM
U.S. Table Wine Consumption by State, 2023
Reposted by W. Blake Gray
Honestly, the worst Bond film ever…
November 8, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Honestly, the worst Bond film ever…
They're NOT eating the dogs? They're NOT eating the cats?
Let's see if we can fix that.
Let's see if we can fix that.
BREAKING: The Trump administration seeks an emergency pause to a court order demanding full November SNAP payments.
Trump administration seeks to halt SNAP food aid payments after a court order
The Trump administration has asked a federal appeals court to block a judge’s order to distribute November’s full SNAP benefits during a U.S. government shutdown. U.S.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
They're NOT eating the dogs? They're NOT eating the cats?
Let's see if we can fix that.
Let's see if we can fix that.
Good article from Wine Enthusiast on the decline in visits to US tasting rooms.
TLDR: Wine tasting has become too expensive. Not just tasting fees, which have tripled in less than a decade. The average hotel room in Napa Valley now costs $412/night.
www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/indu...
TLDR: Wine tasting has become too expensive. Not just tasting fees, which have tripled in less than a decade. The average hotel room in Napa Valley now costs $412/night.
www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/indu...
www.wineenthusiast.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Good article from Wine Enthusiast on the decline in visits to US tasting rooms.
TLDR: Wine tasting has become too expensive. Not just tasting fees, which have tripled in less than a decade. The average hotel room in Napa Valley now costs $412/night.
www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/indu...
TLDR: Wine tasting has become too expensive. Not just tasting fees, which have tripled in less than a decade. The average hotel room in Napa Valley now costs $412/night.
www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/indu...
Reposted by W. Blake Gray
While it is great fun to grow grapes (most of the time) and to make wine as well, one is ultimately faced with the need to actually, y'know, introduce one's product into the arteries of commerce. Which is my job today, schlepping wine to the City's gastronomic places of worship.
November 6, 2025 at 3:49 PM
While it is great fun to grow grapes (most of the time) and to make wine as well, one is ultimately faced with the need to actually, y'know, introduce one's product into the arteries of commerce. Which is my job today, schlepping wine to the City's gastronomic places of worship.
Nancy Pelosi has been my representative in Congress since I moved to San Francisco.
I want to thank her for her service.
Thank you, @SpeakerPelosi.
www.sfgate.com/news/politic...
I want to thank her for her service.
Thank you, @SpeakerPelosi.
www.sfgate.com/news/politic...
Nancy Pelosi won't seek reelection, ending her storied career in the US House
Powerful Democratic former speaker Nancy Pelosi won’t seek reelection to the U.S. House. Pelosi’s announcement Thursday brings to a close her storied career as not only the first woman in the...
www.sfgate.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Nancy Pelosi has been my representative in Congress since I moved to San Francisco.
I want to thank her for her service.
Thank you, @SpeakerPelosi.
www.sfgate.com/news/politic...
I want to thank her for her service.
Thank you, @SpeakerPelosi.
www.sfgate.com/news/politic...
Wine Searcher also covers the UK wine market (I personally don't.) This story was news to me: a change in taxation in the UK is causing wealthy collectors to leave their UK homes and sell off their wine collections, driving down the price of LivEx wines.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/fi...
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/fi...
Fine Wine's Bleak Political Outlook | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
As if economic hardship wasn't already weighing heavily enough on fine wine, political issues are also dragging the chain. Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
www.wine-searcher.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Wine Searcher also covers the UK wine market (I personally don't.) This story was news to me: a change in taxation in the UK is causing wealthy collectors to leave their UK homes and sell off their wine collections, driving down the price of LivEx wines.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/fi...
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/fi...
Reposted by W. Blake Gray
Blake does a nice job covering all the main points regarding old vines. Definitely need to find a way to get consumers to care about the heritage and history of the land to keep these vines in the ground.
The Old Vine Conference this week attempts to address this: How to get people to care.
Surveys show the building matters more than the land to the wine trade, and the land matters more than the plants to consumers. Poor old vines! They get no respect.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/is...
Surveys show the building matters more than the land to the wine trade, and the land matters more than the plants to consumers. Poor old vines! They get no respect.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/is...
Is Older Better? The Great Vine Debate | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
Old vines make great wines, right? The better question is whether consumers care and would they pay for the privilege? Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
www.wine-searcher.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Blake does a nice job covering all the main points regarding old vines. Definitely need to find a way to get consumers to care about the heritage and history of the land to keep these vines in the ground.
Here is my analysis of today's Supreme Court hearing on President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Very short version: I think the Court will strike down the tariffs. Read the full story for why, and who I think will provide the deciding vote.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/su...
Very short version: I think the Court will strike down the tariffs. Read the full story for why, and who I think will provide the deciding vote.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/su...
Supreme Court Looks Like Rejecting Tariffs | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
Despite being notoriously inscrutable, it looks like the US Supreme Court could find against President Trump's tariffs. Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
www.wine-searcher.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Here is my analysis of today's Supreme Court hearing on President Donald Trump's tariffs.
Very short version: I think the Court will strike down the tariffs. Read the full story for why, and who I think will provide the deciding vote.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/su...
Very short version: I think the Court will strike down the tariffs. Read the full story for why, and who I think will provide the deciding vote.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/su...
Reposted by W. Blake Gray
Fluorescent Cerianthus anemone sway in the Coral Morphologic coral museum #coralmorphologic #miami #coralcity
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Fluorescent Cerianthus anemone sway in the Coral Morphologic coral museum #coralmorphologic #miami #coralcity
I am listening to the Supreme Court hearing on tariffs and will have a story later today on Wine Searcher.
www.wine-searcher.com/magazine
www.wine-searcher.com/magazine
Latest News and Opinion | Wine-Searcher
Everything you need to know about wine, beer and spirits. Get the latest news and opinion
www.wine-searcher.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM
I am listening to the Supreme Court hearing on tariffs and will have a story later today on Wine Searcher.
www.wine-searcher.com/magazine
www.wine-searcher.com/magazine
The Old Vine Conference this week attempts to address this: How to get people to care.
Surveys show the building matters more than the land to the wine trade, and the land matters more than the plants to consumers. Poor old vines! They get no respect.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/is...
Surveys show the building matters more than the land to the wine trade, and the land matters more than the plants to consumers. Poor old vines! They get no respect.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/is...
Is Older Better? The Great Vine Debate | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
Old vines make great wines, right? The better question is whether consumers care and would they pay for the privilege? Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
www.wine-searcher.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The Old Vine Conference this week attempts to address this: How to get people to care.
Surveys show the building matters more than the land to the wine trade, and the land matters more than the plants to consumers. Poor old vines! They get no respect.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/is...
Surveys show the building matters more than the land to the wine trade, and the land matters more than the plants to consumers. Poor old vines! They get no respect.
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/is...
What a great day for old-style anthropromorphic stock-market analysis.
"The market rose in the morning based on early returns in the NY mayoral election before plummeting after the NY Jets traded their two best defensive players."
Given that half of Wall Street are Jets fans, it's plausible.
"The market rose in the morning based on early returns in the NY mayoral election before plummeting after the NY Jets traded their two best defensive players."
Given that half of Wall Street are Jets fans, it's plausible.
November 4, 2025 at 9:25 PM
What a great day for old-style anthropromorphic stock-market analysis.
"The market rose in the morning based on early returns in the NY mayoral election before plummeting after the NY Jets traded their two best defensive players."
Given that half of Wall Street are Jets fans, it's plausible.
"The market rose in the morning based on early returns in the NY mayoral election before plummeting after the NY Jets traded their two best defensive players."
Given that half of Wall Street are Jets fans, it's plausible.
I was a guest on the Italian Wine Podcast, talking about the US wine market.
Check it out!
www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-...
Check it out!
www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-...
Ep. 2515 Juliana Colangelo interviews Blake Gray of Wine-Searcher | Masterclass US Wine Market
Ep. 2515 Juliana Colangelo interviews Blake Gray of Wine-Searcher | Masterclass US Wine Market - Italian Wine Podcast
www.italianwinepodcast.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I was a guest on the Italian Wine Podcast, talking about the US wine market.
Check it out!
www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-...
Check it out!
www.italianwinepodcast.com/Episodes/ep-...
A big wine magazine has a PR article about whiskey that is surprisingly ignorant.
‘Both our whiskey-making and our brand are inseparable from the west,’ is a great quote! The West: wide open spaces, cowboy culture, great whiskey! Except the brand in question was founded on bulk whiskey from Indiana
‘Both our whiskey-making and our brand are inseparable from the west,’ is a great quote! The West: wide open spaces, cowboy culture, great whiskey! Except the brand in question was founded on bulk whiskey from Indiana
November 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
A big wine magazine has a PR article about whiskey that is surprisingly ignorant.
‘Both our whiskey-making and our brand are inseparable from the west,’ is a great quote! The West: wide open spaces, cowboy culture, great whiskey! Except the brand in question was founded on bulk whiskey from Indiana
‘Both our whiskey-making and our brand are inseparable from the west,’ is a great quote! The West: wide open spaces, cowboy culture, great whiskey! Except the brand in question was founded on bulk whiskey from Indiana
Sandwich shop asked, "What's a good name for the order?" and I had to wrestle with whether Blake is a good name given that I use a first initial professionally, so maybe Blake isn't good enough for this sandwich? Hungry and conflicted.
November 3, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Sandwich shop asked, "What's a good name for the order?" and I had to wrestle with whether Blake is a good name given that I use a first initial professionally, so maybe Blake isn't good enough for this sandwich? Hungry and conflicted.
On Wednesday the Supreme Court will consider whether President Trump can slap tariffs on every product from Europe.
Implications go far beyond wine: it's a test of the President's power.
"This verdict could become the Roberts court's defining moment."
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/sc...
Implications go far beyond wine: it's a test of the President's power.
"This verdict could become the Roberts court's defining moment."
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/sc...
SCOTUS Gets to Grips with Wine Tariffs | Wine-Searcher News & Opinion
The Supreme Court will consider whether wine tariffs are enforceable, but it could be an expensive exercise. Read the latest wine news & opinion on wine-searcher
www.wine-searcher.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:09 PM
On Wednesday the Supreme Court will consider whether President Trump can slap tariffs on every product from Europe.
Implications go far beyond wine: it's a test of the President's power.
"This verdict could become the Roberts court's defining moment."
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/sc...
Implications go far beyond wine: it's a test of the President's power.
"This verdict could become the Roberts court's defining moment."
www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/11/sc...
I'm glad I didn't have to write this story. I had never heard of a country "seizing" shares of a stock before. Now the owners might have to sell more stock to pay their tax bill?
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Campari shares fall after tax police seize $1.5 billion worth of parent company's stake
Shares in Campari fell 5% on Monday after Italian tax police seized 1.29 billion euros ($1.5 billion) worth of shares in the Italian spirits group held by its controlling shareholder for alleged tax evasion, equal to almost a sixth of the Aperol maker's current market value.
www.reuters.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:42 PM
I'm glad I didn't have to write this story. I had never heard of a country "seizing" shares of a stock before. Now the owners might have to sell more stock to pay their tax bill?
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Interesting article on the battle over how to teach kids to read.
Uncovered in this is the battle over gifted classes, but that matters. It would be counterproductive to put kids who can already read in phonics classes. BUT kids who can't read need them.
time.com/6205084/phon...
Uncovered in this is the battle over gifted classes, but that matters. It would be counterproductive to put kids who can already read in phonics classes. BUT kids who can't read need them.
time.com/6205084/phon...
time.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Interesting article on the battle over how to teach kids to read.
Uncovered in this is the battle over gifted classes, but that matters. It would be counterproductive to put kids who can already read in phonics classes. BUT kids who can't read need them.
time.com/6205084/phon...
Uncovered in this is the battle over gifted classes, but that matters. It would be counterproductive to put kids who can already read in phonics classes. BUT kids who can't read need them.
time.com/6205084/phon...
Reposted by W. Blake Gray
Abduction of Proserpina, by Giambologna, 1579 (from the @NortonSimon Museum in Pasadena), 📸 by @nturchiarophoto
November 2, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Abduction of Proserpina, by Giambologna, 1579 (from the @NortonSimon Museum in Pasadena), 📸 by @nturchiarophoto
Dodgers pitching in game 7:
Ohtani $70 million
Wrobleski $0.76 million
Glasnow $30 million
Sheehan $0.78 million
Snell $36.4 million
Yamamoto $27.08 million
Total: $165.02 million
This is more than the ENTIRE PAYROLL of 16 of the other 29 teams.
CAN WE GET A SALARY CAP, MLB?
Ohtani $70 million
Wrobleski $0.76 million
Glasnow $30 million
Sheehan $0.78 million
Snell $36.4 million
Yamamoto $27.08 million
Total: $165.02 million
This is more than the ENTIRE PAYROLL of 16 of the other 29 teams.
CAN WE GET A SALARY CAP, MLB?
November 2, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Dodgers pitching in game 7:
Ohtani $70 million
Wrobleski $0.76 million
Glasnow $30 million
Sheehan $0.78 million
Snell $36.4 million
Yamamoto $27.08 million
Total: $165.02 million
This is more than the ENTIRE PAYROLL of 16 of the other 29 teams.
CAN WE GET A SALARY CAP, MLB?
Ohtani $70 million
Wrobleski $0.76 million
Glasnow $30 million
Sheehan $0.78 million
Snell $36.4 million
Yamamoto $27.08 million
Total: $165.02 million
This is more than the ENTIRE PAYROLL of 16 of the other 29 teams.
CAN WE GET A SALARY CAP, MLB?