Voices
FEATURED

How Can We Create More Diverse and Inclusive Workplaces?
Leaders from across the beverage alcohol industry—and beyond—share strategic frameworks, fresh ideas, and actionable tips for effecting change
Op-Ed

Navigating the Winery Workplace with an Invisible Disability
One writer with epilepsy shares what it’s like to work in a winery with an invisible disability—and examines what the industry can do to create a more welcoming workplace

Shochu Is Japan’s Best-Kept Secret—and the U.S. Is Finally Catching On
The duo behind koji-based spirits importer Honkaku Spirits details the overlooked history of Japan’s most popular spirit—and why the U.S. is ready to embrace it

The Wine Industry Needs to View Vines as More Than Production Tools
Ahead of the first Raw Wine Alive! conference, Isabelle Legeron, MW, highlights the importance of treating plants as individual beings—and how it can transform our industry

The Alcohol Industry Is Entering a New Golden Age—Here’s Why
John Beaudette explains how increased market access, favorable tax rates, growing consumer demand, and an explosion of new products forecast a bright future for all tiers

The Joys and Painful Struggles of Bar Ownership
Lessons in building a profitable cocktail institution from Donna’s Leif Huckman—before the pandemic closed his doors for good

Why Sommeliers Are More Essential Than Ever
Understanding the wine specialist’s real impact on restaurant revenue

The Problem with Wine Terminology in the Virtual World
Bartender-turned-retailer Nat Harry makes the case for bringing back taboo descriptors like “jammy” and “smooth” to connect with customers

Terroir in Whisky? Proven, At Last
Mark Newton on Waterford’s groundbreaking—and controversial—whisky terroir project

Essay

How 4 Wine Businesses Delivered on Their Equity Goals
Jane Lopes reports on how the WINE Pledge helps businesses—including her own—cultivate a more diverse, equitable, and environmentally sustainable wine industry

Navigating the Winery Workplace with an Invisible Disability
One writer with epilepsy shares what it’s like to work in a winery with an invisible disability—and examines what the industry can do to create a more welcoming workplace

Winter Is Coming—So Why Isn’t Every State Making Cocktails-to-Go Permanent?
Jeff Carroll on how new challenges for on-premise operators—and increasing channel overlap—highlight the need to modernize an outdated three-tier system

‘Carbon Capture During Fermentation Could Make Wine a Negative-Emission Industry’
Domaine Dujac’s Diana Seysses explains how producers can become key players in the future of green fuel by working together to trap CO2 during vinification

What I Learned Starting a Wine Import Company During a Pandemic
Jane Lopes on the hard-earned lessons and unexpected benefits of launching her Australian wine business in 2020

Industry Issues

Do Wine Drinkers Really Trade Up?
It’s a more complicated question than you might think

Can Mezcal Save Its Artisan Soul?
Mezcal brand owners, importers, and experts weigh in on the growth of the mezcal category and whether there’s a sustainable path to preserving its culture and authenticity

Do We Still Need Sommeliers in Restaurants?
Restaurant operators and wine directors weigh in with wine service models they’ve found successful, and discuss the evolving roles of wine professionals on the floor

Do Wine Scores Still Matter?
In the debut of SevenFifty Daily’s Viewpoints series, we asked several top experts on various sides of the divide to tell us how scores impact their work