Survival of the Small Wineries

Jan 25, 2021 | 5 min read

Sebastopol vintner at the helm to ensure survival of small wineries amid consolidation.

Written by Jeanette Tan | Photo by Chad Surmick/The Press Democrat

“I think there’s going to be a shakeout…It’s going to be big, medium and small [wineries] that are affected.” Anisya Fritz

The Press Democrat newspaper featured an article that highlights many of the challenges the small wineries face. 

Some folks are already feeling the pinch, however, these challenges are threatening to cause some fundamental shifts that will make it almost impossible for the small wineries to operate and to make a reasonable profit. The large wineries not only hijack our story (we are a family-owned winery making small lot, hand-crafted wine, bla, bla, bla) but they are increasingly controlling the supplies and misdirecting the consumers. 

Anisya Fritz of Lynmar Estate and Sonoma State Wine Business Entrepreneurship program was featured in the article, and a few others were interviewed (including myself). Anisya is also spearheading a discussion that we hope will create a movement to benefit the small wineries. If you want to learn more, email us and say “put me in coach”.