As springtime brings its annual rainfall, bloom and anticipation of our vineyards’ fine fruits, I look back on the past year in winemaking with feelings of both sorrow and strong optimism. It would not be possible to reflect meaningfully without remembering the forces of nature which impacted so many of our fellow growers and producers.

Last year, the world-renowned wine regions of Northern California suffered immensely from the wildfires that raged through Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino. Dozens of wineries were damaged or destroyed, and product and property were lost to nature’s will. Just when we thought that was past us, wildfires from Ventura and Santa Barbara to San Diego endangered many others. In this time of rebuilding, we continue to support our fellow winemaking teams and families in any way we can. Cleanup can be an arduous undertaking — reach out to your friends and see how you can help. Wilson Daniels stands with those affected, and together, we’ll rise up from the ashes as a stronger wine industry than ever before.

Now, for the positives: Celebrating our 40th year, Wilson Daniels has long enjoyed the spotlight when it comes to discovering and promoting some of the finest wines from around the globe, and the coming year will see us traveling to exciting locales to expand our ever-growing reach to dynamic new markets over four continents. Planning this year’s busy line-up of multi-city portfolio tours, tastings, interviews and winemaker dinners has encouraged renewed enthusiasm and energy within the company, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it all with you. Our passion for fine wine grows stronger with each breathtaking harvest and keeps evolving with every edition of our trade publication, WDQ (Wilson Daniels = Quality).

Our recent edition includes stories and Q&A’s from all of our esteemed wine producers – to name a few, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Biondi-Santi, Bisol and Dal Forno Romano, some of our most popular offerings. Meeting with the teams and ambassadors for these producers has been a highlight of our year. From the Dal Forno sons of Val d’Illasi and Jacopo Biondi Santi of Montalcino, to TV star-turned wine sales master Elisa Dilavanzo of Maeli, we look forward to many years of partnership with new and old friends. There is always something new to learn in the business of winemaking and sales, no matter how long you’ve been in it, and we surround ourselves with colleagues who are constantly learning and educating others to bring you the best bottles available.

Of course, please follow our 40th anniversary celebrations @wilsondaniels.com and the conversation #WilsonDaniels40. We look forward to seeing you in the coming year and sharing many glasses of wine from our outstanding portfolio, from our latest discoveries to our tried-and-true stars. I thank you for your support and patronage of Wilson Daniels, and wish you the very best.