Tariffs are Coming

Tariffs are coming. It’s still a guessing game because Mr Trump owns a winery so it is hard to predict what exceptions he will allow. On the other hand, imported wine could become more expensive and that could boost sales of US-produced wine.

In the meantime, these are the various ways that you will likely be disrupted:

• Barrels could increase

• Glass, corks, and capsules could increase

• European equipment like presses and destemmers could increase

• Shipping time for imports could increase

• Shipping costs could increase (as if they ever decrease ….)

• Unable to pre-order glass and store the boxes(because everyone else is doing this and there is no more space)

The packaging material is the one area that most folks are worried about. The recommendation I have heard is to begin sourcing US made glass and corks NOW so that you beat the rush before the spring and summer bottle runs.