Hello Wine Sisters,
I think of this as my predictions and hopeful manifestations of wine trends in 2025. I share them with the hope that whatever transpires in 2025 helps foster more fun, greater passion, inspiration, joy and connection among wine-lovers and the wine-curious worldwide.
“You can’t covet something you don’t know exists.” – Katy Long, 2024
Knowledge is power, but education may not be the only answer for attracting and expanding wine appreciation in 2025 (says the gal studying for MW Stage 2 exams in June 2025). Sometimes it feels overwhelming like you need to know a lot before you get started enjoying wine. I invite those feeling a lack of inspiration due to overwhelm to just jump in, try something. When you’re inspired, sparked, engaged you ask questions and want to gain more knowledge, not because you need it before you order your first glass, but because knowing more about something that makes you curious inspires a desire to know more, to understand it better to appreciate it more fully – this is true whether the pursuit is golf, wine, hiking, and being a fan of a sports team. Sure, you can walk up a hill, play a round, or watch a game on TV, but when you know what the sites, the par of a hole, or the inside out of a play you become more engaged. At least I do…
Predict:
In 2025, wine education will pivot from a focus on facts and certifications to igniting passion and storytelling. Courses will inspire through immersive experiences, personal discovery, and creative narratives, blending tradition with innovation. The emphasis will shift from learning to connecting—making wine education about emotional resonance as much as technical mastery.
“Despite how you might feel in this moment, I did NOT wakeup today trying to screw you over.” – Katy Long, 2024
Well, duh. But, stay with me. I know “feel” isn’t a business word, but it has a lot to do with customer sentiment, employee loyalty, and business success. If we don’t feel welcome or appreciated, we are less likely to repeat the experience and continue our patronage –a restaurant, a bottle purchase, a winery visit, an employer, etc. When the ‘dynamic is off’ it’s a good time to strike up the good feels and practice the platinum rule, who knows, you may just make your own day a little bit better, too.
Predict:
Kindness and empathy will drive transformative change in the wine industry by fostering collaboration over competition. Prioritizing fair labor, inclusivity, and sustainability will strengthen communities and consumer trust. Empathetic leadership will inspire innovation rooted in respect—for people, the environment, and tradition—ushering in a future where ethics and excellence thrive together.
When did life get so gosh darn expensive? – everyone, lately (and probably for a lot longer than that)
Arghhh. Paying more for the same amount or less is the worst. Ain’t nobody got time for that.
Predict:
Inclusivity and affordability will make wine accessible to diverse audiences, breaking down barriers of class, culture, and geography. By offering quality wines at approachable prices and celebrating underrepresented voices, the industry can cultivate a broader, more engaged community. This shift will foster equity, growth, and a richer, more vibrant wine culture.
Red rover, red rover, bring your friends and come on over. – KL’s take on a childhood playground game invitation.
Oh, hear ye, hear ye, winos among us! Let’s call the other team on over to brace the chain of our metaphorically linked arms and get down to the business of the very realistic cork popping, screwcap cracking, seal breaking, top popping… you get the idea.
Predict:
Increasing access and diverse packaging formats will revolutionize the wine industry by meeting consumers where they are. Single-serve cans, eco-friendly boxes, and lightweight bottles will make wine more convenient, sustainable, and affordable. This inclusivity will attract new demographics, reduce waste, and modernize the perception of wine for a broader audience.
Mind your P’s and Q’s. - A 17th Century English idiom of bartenders telling customers to be mindful of their pint and quart consumption. And like a well cellared gem, even advice that is Four Centuries matured is not without relevance in the 21st Patterns of consumption are changing for new entrants to wine consumption and those of us with longer tenure. We’re redefining our relationship to alcohol, and that’s okay.
Predict:
No- and low-alcohol wine styles will inspire positive change by promoting inclusivity and wellness. These options cater to health-conscious consumers and expand wine's appeal across diverse lifestyles. Their innovation drives better quality, ensuring authenticity and flavor while fostering a mindful drinking culture, making wine more adaptable and relevant in 2025.
“I get by with a little help from my friends.” - John Lennon and Paul McCartney 1967.
As long as there has been advertising, we’ve been told that technology will improve our lives. Afterall, few of us grind grain to make our own bread, nor build our own houses, nor make our own clothes. Freed from the things we need to sustain life, shelter and safety we can embrace creativity, expression and freedom to discover greater meaning and connection. Wine has been around long enough (thousands of years) to benefit from our human desire to innovate, improve conditions and strive for better. Spoiler alert – we are lucky to be alive in this time of high wine quality, availability and relative affordability, let’s embrace innovation in 2025 to keep the good times rolling.
Predict:
Technology and automation will inspire efficiency and sustainability in the wine industry by optimizing vineyard management, reducing waste, and enhancing production precision. AI-driven tools will improve quality control, while blockchain ensures transparency. Automation will reduce labor strain, allowing winemakers to focus on creativity and storytelling, elevating wine's cultural and economic impact.
Whatever 2025 brings, may it usher in peace, joy, love, happiness, fun, and whatever good you’re hoping to bring more of into your life. And, may wine be a positive part of that.
Cheers!
Katy is a winemaker, trained chef, and industry sales, marketing, and education professional. She is also a wine judge and holder of several industry certifications including WSET Diploma and is currently a Master of Wine candidate. Katy is passionate about the global wine business and philanthropy.
