This Week in Wine: Updates and Highlights for July 26, 2026

Hello and welcome to this week’s roundup of interesting wine stories that caught my attention.

• Highway to Hella Chenin: A review highlights a remarkable event celebrating Chenin Blanc.

• Remembering Italian Winemaker Franco Bernabei: Though not widely recognized in the U.S., his impact on Tuscany’s wine scene has been significant.

• Livermore Wine Families Feud Over Concannon Ownership: A local legal drama unfolds among prominent wine families.

• Monarch Tractors Promised to Save American Wine With AI. Then, It Closed. What Happened?: A look into the unfulfilled promises of AI in the wine industry and the realities of manufacturing.

• Forget Franzia—Boxed Wine Went Bougie. Now Sales Have Surged More Than 144 Percent: Boxed wine is experiencing a renaissance, now with a more upscale image.

• Sonoma County Begins One of Its Earliest Winegrape Harvests in Years: This year’s grape harvest is breaking records for its earliness.

• California’s Next Big Wine Craze is Breaking All the Rules: Explore how unconventional approaches in the wine market are stirring excitement, despite some reservations about the term “blouge.”

• Here’s How Much Regulations Add to a Napa Small Winery’s Costs, per Cal Poly: A study reveals staggering regulatory impacts on costs for small Napa wineries.

• The Champagne Fallacy: Jay McInerney discusses misconceptions surrounding Champagne.

• Fire Nears Bordeaux, a City of Wine and History: A serious situation as wildfires threaten the region, though reports indicate controls are being established.

• Wildfires Threaten Wine City of Bordeaux as France and Spain Battle Blazes: An ongoing disaster leads to the evacuation of 250,000 people.

• Wildfires Threaten Historic Vineyards in Sierra de Gredos: A wider impact is felt as historic vineyards are also at risk.

• Inside The French Laundry’s Wine Program: How Wine Is Selected For Every Guest: An insider’s look at the careful selection process behind wine pairings for guests.

• There’s a Chablis for Every Kind of Chardonnay Lover: A variety of Chablis options to satisfy different palates.

• China’s White Wine Boom Has Triggered a Marlborough Price War: Rising Chinese demand for white wine leads to competitive pricing in New Zealand.

Feel free to explore these fascinating stories to stay updated on the wine world!

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!