Wine Buyer

Decades of research has found that people who drink light to moderate amounts of alcohol enjoy better cardiovascular health than abstainers, but that benefit quickly disappears as consumption rises into heavy drinking. But in recent years, a vocal group of public health advocates has argued that no level of drinking is safe. Now, a new

Shovels went into the ground May 17 as Napa Valley College (NVC) celebrated the groundbreaking for the Wine Spectator Wine Education Center. Funded by a $10 million gift, the largest donation ever made by the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, the center will dramatically expand and update the teaching facilities of NVC and its Viticulture and

One of Burgundy’s top winemakers is striking out on his own. Pierre Vincent, the respected general manager at Domaine Leflaive since 2017, has announced that he will leave at the end of the year to pursue his own project, Domaine Pierre Vincent. Vincent purchased Domaine des Terres de Velle in Auxey-Duresses in July 2023 with

Who’s behind it: In the Historic Ybor area of Tampa, Fla., Ten Rooms is a new concept from local hospitality professional Ro Patel (formerly of Ciro’s Speakeasy and Anise Global Gastrobar in Tampa) and restaurant COO Zach Pace, previously of Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence winners Aphotic and Lazy Bear in San Francisco.

One of Washington state’s more beloved wineries has changed hands for a second time. Ackley Brands, a small but rapidly growing beverage firm, has purchased Betz Family Winery, founded by longtime Chateau Ste. Michelle winemaker Bob Betz, from Steve and Bridgit Griessel, the owners since 2011. The deal also includes Washington wine brand The Untold

Constellation Brands—the drinks giant whose portfolio includes Corona and Modelo beers as well as Meiomi, Kim Crawford and Robert Mondavi wineries—has signed a deal to purchase Sea Smoke, an iconic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay estate vineyard in Santa Barbara County’s Sta. Rita Hills, from founder Bob Davids. The sale includes 1,100 acres of land, 256

Some of Italy’s most amazing wines flowed freely in Verona on April 13 at the 13th edition of OperaWine. The gala tasting spotlighted 131 of Italy’s top names in wine. Created by Wine Spectator in partnership with Vinitaly and Veronafiere, OperaWine has become the unofficial kickoff to Vinitaly, Italy’s largest wine trade fair. “OperaWine—it’s an

In a matter of minutes on the evening of May 1, the 2024 vintage for Chablis was rewritten. A violent storm unleashed pelting hail on vineyards across the northern Burgundy appellation, known for its distinctive white wines made from Chardonnay. Vintners will not know how the vines will recover for several weeks, but the early

Who’s behind it: After closing Charlie Palmer Steak NYC in February, chef Charlie Palmer has re-envisioned the steak house as Charlie Palmer Steak IV in a new location in New York City. This is the latest steak house in Palmer’s restaurant collective, which includes Restaurant Award–winning Charlie Palmer Steak locations in Washington, D.C., and Reno,

The premise of Bordeaux en primeurs is fairly simple: The top wineries of the region sell futures the spring after harvest, while the wines are still aging in barrels. They get cash up front to help them cover production costs. The négociants—as well as the retailers, restaurants and consumers they sell the futures to—get first

The young couple in the shorts and festival shirts sped into the ballroom of the New Orleans Marriott on a mission. It was the opening night of Wine Spectator’s 2024 Grand Tour, and 235 of the world’s greatest wineries were pouring wines, all rated 90 points or higher. The pair had come straight from the