The California wine industry is looking for answers as tariff threats add to the problems that the industry already faces. On March 13, the Trump administration was dedicated to imposing a 200% rate on all alcoholic beverages of the European Union. Then, on April 9, an import tax of 20% on the tok effect articles of the European Union, then invested and stopped for 90 days.
We recorded with a trio of the bay area, several owners of wine stores to see how they remain with uncertainty, and what national wines for customers looking for alternatives for their favorite European wines.
Harrison Fong, Vintage Wine Merchants, San José
For Harrison Fong, owner of Vintage Wine Merchants in San José, uncertainty is scary. “It is disseminated to plan and direct our businesses in this wild environment,” he says, and points out that imports represent more than half or their business.
A 20% tariff on EU imported goods could hurt, but it would be manageable, he says. It is similar to what was imposed by Trump’s first administration. “We didn’t like it, but we overcome it. And we will overcome it again.”
But with 200% rate? “I have a lot of prepaid inventory in the water on the road from France and Italy,” he said in an email. “If 200% of the proposed rate passes and the wine arrives at the wrong time, it could be the end of us.”
Besids, he points out, the hospitality business is already fighting due to inflation and post-pandemic habits of consumers to leave less.
His strategy is at this time pivoting and focusing on selling more American wines.
Recommendations: From the mountains of Santa Cruz, I LOOK TO LOCAL CABERNETS in the European style of Kathryn Kennedy Winery, Mount Eden Vineyards, Ridge Vineyards and Tatalsa Winery, he says. If you like French Burgundy wines, explain Oregon Bodegas as Eieio & Company, Walter Scott Wines and Oo Wines.
Details: Open from 10 am to 9 pm from Monday to Saturday and 12-6 pm in 377 Santana Row #1135, San José; Vintagewinemercants.com.
Jim meyers, wines thieves, Lafayette
Jim Meyers, who has been running Wine Thieves, a more budgeted wine store in Lafayette, for 26 years, seems less concerned about the imported import tax in European wines. Yes, sales will be affected, but in general, wine consumers in California have many high quality alternatives to Europeans, often at lower prices, he says.
The biggest challenge is to address the decrease in consumption, which is the work to address through consumer education, one tasting at the same time. Having a tasting room greatly contributes to allowing curious visitors who show wines before buying, he adds.
“Use independent retailers to find those hidden gems that will prevent you from spending a lot of money,” he says. “There are so many good wines in the market at this time, more than ever before, worldwide. Keep an open mind.”
Recommendations: If you like Rhône style wine, Meyers breaks the Cochon wines of Sonoma County. If you like a straight booming header, choose the Cabernet Sauvignon by Brady Vineyards by Paso Robles, just $ 17 per bottle. Do you prefer a mixture of burgundy? Try Novelty Hill wines from the state of Washington, he says.
Details: Open from 10 am to 6 pm Monday, 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday from Saturday and 11 am to 6 pm from Sunday to 3401 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette; Winethieves.com.
John Graham-Taylor, The Bottleshop Wine Bar + Kitchen, Redwood City
Even beyond tariff threats, wine stores face existential challenges, according to John Graham-Taylor, who is currently in the process of closing his business, Bottleshop on Redwood City.
He began to close his store the day before the import tax of 20% on the articles of the European Union (then stopped) was announced. The five -year -old wines and bits store had seen difficult times. The store opened in 2018 under a different property and was fighting when Graham-Taylor Tok ended in March 2020, a few days after the COVID-19 blocks began.
At that time, federal loans for small businesses helped him stay at Rating until things began to recover. And at first, they really seemed: 2023 was a fantastic year. Then 2024 arrived, and it was “a fiscal cliff,” he says.
His store had a relatively high proportion of European wines, which prefers to combine with food on California wines, which “tend to be more a cocktail wine”, since they are appealed to be alone with food pairings, he says.
“This has been a five -year romance, and the hardest, saddiest and better thing I have done in my life,” he says, “I am depressed but I’m not bankrupt. I’m just closing.”
Recommendations: Graham-Taylor is in the process of selling its removating inventory with a 30%discount.
Details: Open 12-7 pm every day in 2627 Broadway, Redwood City, over the next weeks or until the inventory has left; TheBottleshoprwc.com.