This Week in Wine: Highlights and Updates for June 15, 2025

Hello and welcome to this week’s roundup of interesting wine-related stories from across the web. Here’s a selection of what caught my eye:

• California’s Wine Communities and Immigration Raids: The human costs faced by California’s wine communities amid Trump’s immigration policies have been brought to light, revealing deep societal impacts.Read more here.

• Tragic Loss at Ruinart: The winemaker at Ruinart has sadly passed away in a tragic accident, marking a significant loss for the wine community.Full story available.

• Remembering a Winemaking Legend: A tribute to Frédéric Panaïotis of Ruinart highlights his contributions and legacy within the industry.Read the tribute.

• The Science of Yeast in Winemaking: An insightful piece explores how yeast is a vital tool for winemakers in shaping the flavor profiles of wines.Learn more here.

• Challenges Facing Santorini’s Wine Industry: Winemaker Andrew Jefford discusses pressing issues such as lack of rain, labor shortages, and dwindling tourism affecting Santorini’s vineyards.Read his insights.

• Elbling’s Comeback: A resurgence for Elbling, Europe’s oldest white wine, is discussed, suggesting its potential for renewed popularity.Discover more.

• Young German Winemakers: Profiles of innovative young winemakers in Germany highlight how they are overcoming challenges in the market.Check out the profiles.

• Givry’s Domaine du Cellier aux Moines: A study explores the debate surrounding old vines and whether they lead to better wines.Explore the findings.

• Wine Freedom Advocacy: The ongoing struggle for wine freedom is discussed, shedding light on important legislative battles.Read about the fight.

• Prison Island Wine Contract: A contract involving wine production on "prison island" has been extended until 2050, describing it as a “deeply human journey.”Learn more about this unique situation.

• Historical Winemaking: A fascinating discovery regarding potential wine scams from ancient Rome is explored, highlighting the history of wine adulteration.Read the full article.

• Bardolino as Italy’s Next Summer Red: The potential of Bardolino as a summer favorite among reds is put under the spotlight.Find out more here.

• The Rise of Māori Winemakers in New Zealand: A report discusses how Māori winemakers are integrating indigenous roots into New Zealand’s changing wine industry.Discover the cultural impact.

• Winegrowers Partnering with Nature: Innovative approaches to vineyard protection include utilizing songbirds for sustainable pest management.Read about this sustainable practice.

• Machine Learning in Wine Authentication: Advances in technology are being used to authenticate wine, with machine learning showing near-perfect accuracy.Learn more on this tech.

This week’s stories shed light on both topics that inspire and issues that challenge the world of wine.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!