Marc Sarrazin

The Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA) represents the New Jersey wine community annually at the New Jersey Agriculture Convention. Joining over 90 delegates and agricultural leaders from across the state for insightful panels, meaningful conversations, and collaboration, we focused on the future of New Jersey agriculture and wine. Our friends at Farm Credit East have provided generous support and education during our monthly GSWGA meeting held at the convention, and we look forward to their impactful Wine Benchmarks Program. Farm Credit East provides significant support to the Northeast wine and grape industry through its specialized Winery Benchmarks Program. This program helps winery and cidery businesses compare their financial and operational performance against industry peers, offering in-depth analysis to improve on many fronts. Cheers to all that's ahead for the NJ wine community and our partners! #farmcrediteast #agconvention #newjerseywine #newjerseywines #agritourism Farm Credit East, ACA Jersey Fresh New Jersey Department of Agriculture

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Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits is expanding in the New York market, agreeing to acquire Anheuser-Busch’s owned wholesale operation in New York City for an undisclosed sum. With the deal, the company will launch Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company of New York, covering Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx, and marking a big move for the company in the beer and RTD category. New York is already the fourth-largest market nationwide for Southern Glazer’s at a projected $2.5 billion this year, according to Shanken’s Impact Newsletter, with the company leading the wholesale wine and spirits market in the state. Now the leader in wine and spirits distribution nationwide is positioning itself as a major player in the New York City beer and RTD market as well. #wineindustry #beerindustry #spiritsindustry https://lnkd.in/eHw4EizK

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Why Marketing AVAs in New Jersey Reveals a Bigger Problem for the U.S. Wine Industry Having recently served as Chair of the New Jersey wine industry association, I follow the industry’s marketing very closely. In recent weeks, I’ve noted recent emphasis on promoting the state’s four AVAs (American Viticultural Areas), featured prominently in both print and social media campaigns. For context: an AVA is a federally designated grape-growing region defined by specific geographic or climatic features. There are more than 270 AVAs across the U.S., from Napa Valley to small, lesser-known areas in emerging wine states. And let’s be honest: if you can identify more than ten of them, you’re likely a wine writer — or a Jeopardy champion. 🎯 On paper, promoting AVAs seems like a smart move — they carry legitimacy, signal terroir, and align with how the global wine trade talks about place. But here’s the reality: outside of AVAs like Napa and Willamette, AVAs don’t mean much to consumers. And marketing them in New Jersey points to a bigger problem across the U.S. wine industry: too often, we’re telling stories consumers don’t care about. The New Jersey case study: 🍇 No recognition. “Outer Coastal Plain” or “Warren Hills” don’t resonate with visitors. What they connect with is Hunterdon wineries, Central Jersey wine weekends, or simply New Jersey wine. 🗺️ Confusing geography. The largest wineries in Hunterdon County, including Old York Cellars, sit just outside the Central Delaware Valley AVA, which awkwardly extends across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. That’s hardly a clean marketing story. 🚚 Mismatch with production reality. Many wineries source grapes from growers outside their AVA or even outside their state. Old York Cellars, for example, leases a portion of a vineyard in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA. The overwhelming majority of guests don’t care about the technical boundary. They care about the wine, the food, the music, and the overall experience. 📉 Increasing irrelevance. In 15 years of running Old York Cellars, I’ve encountered virtually no consumer interest in New Jersey’s AVAs. Millennials and Gen Z, in particular, aren’t looking for AVAs on a label. They’re looking for authenticity, fun, and shareable experiences. This isn’t just about New Jersey. Across the country, some smaller wine regions are leaning on AVAs to give themselves credibility. But when AVAs are put front and center in consumer marketing, it doubles down on a story only the trade cares about — while younger audiences tune out. 👉 AVAs have their place in trade conversations and on labels. ❌ But they’re not what will bring the next generation of drinkers to tasting rooms. If the U.S. wine industry wants to grow, the story has to be simpler, prouder, and more relatable: 🍷 Drink Local Wine. 📍 Discover [State/Region] Wine Country. ✨ Make the Experience the Brand. At the end of the day, AVAs don’t sell the story — experiences do.

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Raising the Bar for NJ Wine: Clear Standards and Respect for Consumer Preference Every emerging wine region faces the same challenge: how to build real and lasting credibility. New Jersey is producing some genuinely exciting wines. Growers are improving vineyard practices, winemakers are refining techniques, and the quality of fruit and finished wine continues to rise. The potential here is real. But potential alone does not create trust, and trust is the foundation of any respected wine region. Over the years, different efforts have tried to elevate New Jersey wine. Some focused on curated tastings, others on enthusiastic declarations about quality. These efforts come from a place of strong belief in what our state can produce. Passion is important, but passion by itself does not create legitimacy. The term “world class” is a powerful phrase, but when it is applied too broadly or too casually, the meaning becomes diluted. If a single, subjective evaluation leads to a world class designation, the term quickly loses its meaning. It becomes marketing language rather than an earned distinction. True world class wines achieve that status through rigorous evaluation, consistent excellence, and comparison with global benchmarks. History proves this point. Napa Valley’s breakthrough came during the 1976 Judgment of Paris, where California wines were blind tasted against top French wines and won based on quality. New Jersey had its own version decades later with the Judgment of Princeton, where our wines were evaluated alongside respected international bottles. These events strengthened credibility because the wines earned their recognition in transparent comparison. The regions that have earned global recognition built their reputations through clear standards, open methods, and consistent evaluation. They defined what quality means, communicated their expectations, evaluated wines blind, and let the results speak for themselves. If New Jersey wants to reach the next level, we need to follow the same principles. Another truth that mature wine regions understand is that not every wine needs to be considered world class to be successful, appreciated, or respected. New Jersey produces a wide range of wines, including dry vinifera, hybrids, sparkling wines, and fruit wines. Each style has a different audience and purpose. At Old York Cellars, our Double Gold medal Peach Wine is a favorite among wine drinkers who enjoy sweeter styles. But we would never describe it as “world class.” That does not diminish its quality or its appeal to the consumers who love it. This is why both standards and consumer preference matter. Clear criteria give the industry credibility. Respect for diverse palates gives the industry reach. When we communicate honestly about what each wine is and who it is for, confidence grows. If we combine high standards with respect for consumer taste, the future of New Jersey wine will be stronger than ever.

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A Bryn Mawr wine distributor’s legal challenge against the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is drawing attention to long-standing issues in how wine reaches local restaurants. Click here to read 👉 https://ebx.sh/vmJha9

🍷📢 Big news for New York wine lovers and small producers! On April 15, Senator George Borrello introduced legislation (S. 7398) that would allow grocery stores in New York to sell wine—but only wine produced in New York State. This targeted proposal is designed to boost local wineries and protect small producers from being pushed out by big national brands. With nearly $15B in economic impact, NY’s wine industry deserves shelf space—and support. Senator Borrello’s bill is all about smart modernization: making local wines more accessible while respecting the role of independent liquor stores. He’s also working on legislation that would let wine & liquor retailers sell complementary food items like cheese, meats, and crackers—another win for small businesses. “New York wines are world-class,” Borrello said. “It’s time to bring New York’s alcohol laws into the 21st century, because our small producers and retailers deserve a system that works for them, not against them.” 📰 Source: WineBusiness Monthly Read the full article here → https://lnkd.in/dP2VF64B. #LiquorLawyer #AlcoholCompliance #LabelingRegulations #SpiritsIndustry #NYWine #SupportLocal #ShopSmall #WineLegislation #NewYorkWineries #DrinkNY #GeorgeBorrello #WineNews #NYPolitics #SmallBusinessSupport

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The Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council, in partnership with the Northeast Beef Promotion Initiative (NEBPI), a subcontractor to the Beef Checkoff, and the New Jersey Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, hosted its first-ever “Meat Me in the Kitchen” Culinary Masterclass on Tuesday evening, May 20th at Ninety Acres Cooking School in Peapack, New Jersey. The event welcomed an exclusive audience of New Jersey-based registered dietitian nutritionists from a variety of specialty areas for a hands-on culinary workshop designed to highlight the versatility and nutritional value of pork and beef. Attendees worked in groups under the direction of the Ninety Acres culinary team to prepare and enjoy two featured recipes: Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Pecan Mustard Sauce and Beef Filet Steak with Roquefort Rosemary Sauce. In addition to the cooking experience, attendees engaged in a lively discussion about pork and beef’s role in a balanced diet. This was conducted through an “icebreaker” style activity where participants were asked a question and had to reflect upon their perceptions and experiences. Representatives from the PA Pork Producers Council and NEBPI were on hand to answer questions, share insights and facilitate the conversation.  PA Pork Producers Council would like to thank NEBPI and the New Jersey Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for their collaboration in making this event a success. The “Meat Me in the Kitchen Culinary Masterclass marks a continued effort to build trust in animal agriculture and create engaging educational experiences that connect nutrition and health professionals with the people and processes behind their food.  Follow along as we promote pork and pig farmers throughout the year on Facebook and Instagram or on our website.

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Best estimates say there are now about 1,400 wineries and 50,000 acres of vineyards in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York—the five states where East Coast fine winemaking is concentrated. While Pennsylvania might still be considered “emerging,” the state’s once-maligned wines are earning respect from top sommeliers. Even New Jersey has plenty of wines worth paying attention to. “The East Coast has the climate for wine growing,” says Ed Boyce, co-founder of Black Ankle winery in Maryland, “but you have to find the best spots. Once we find those spots, you can make great wines.” Read more 🔗 https://enth.to/4fT8DrI

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Mark Foods, a New York City-headquartered importer, processor and marketer of seafood products, on July 14 announced that it will acquire Bristol Seafood, a Portland, Maine-based company known for premium scallop, groundfish and value-added marine product offerings.

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Our executive director Adam Acampora, WSET3 was recently a guest on #TheWineProPodcast. Where wine industry professionals go to listen to other industry professionals talk about their roles, best practices, and provide insights on what’s working for them. Make sure you take a listen to this episode as it talks about the importance of regional wine associations and what their role in the wine world looks like.

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On this episode of Uncorked: Wine-Business-Life, Dr. Larry Coia shares why New Jersey is poised for major growth in the wine industry. With over 9 million people, world-class growing conditions, and access to major markets like Philadelphia and New York, the future looks bright — as long as we stay open-minded. 🍷 🎥 Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/ekYpP6N6 #DrLarryCoia #UncorkedPodcast #WineBusinessLife #NJWine #NewJerseyWineries #EastCoastWine #WineIndustryGrowth #LocalWine #SupportLocalWineries #WinemakingFuture #WineLovers #Saddlehill #BillGreen #JerroldColton

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Panera Bread has unveiled a strategic plan aimed at "returning to its apex." During an interview at RFDC, CEO Paul Carbone said "Panera RISE" focuses on Refreshing the menu; Igniting value; Serving guests with excellence; and Expanding the network, with heavy investments in food quality and "returning labor to restaurants." He said the brand has stagnated and even lost its way a little bit in recent years. “Much of this was our own doing,” he said. "We need a transformation. We’ve seen negative transactions for the last 10 years. This is truly, unfortunately, death by 1,000 cuts," he said. "This is an amazing, amazing brand and it can be that again.” Panera's objective is to reach $7 billion in systemwide sales by 2028, from $6.1 billion at the end of 2024.

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According to an announcement from the city of Frederick, Md., Bakery de France has broken ground on an $87 million expansion of its production facility there. The current facility produces artisan, par-baked bread products in 110,000 sq. ft., and the expansion will add 176,000 sq. ft. to the bakery. By 2027, the expansion is expected to create 80 new full-time jobs for the company, which produces breads, rolls and baguettes using premium ingredients, its signature levain and a traditional European long-fermentation process, according to its web site. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gFC2XZWJ #FoodProcessing #FoodMfg #FoodManufacturing #FoodIndustry #FoodAndBev #Bread #Bakery #PlantExpansion #FoodProduction

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CRÚ Wine Bar & Bistro Appoints New Board of Directors to Guide Next Chapter of Growth https://lnkd.in/e3YmaPxv CRÚ Wine Bar & Bistro, famous for its sommelier-curated sips and modern American cuisine, has appointed a savvy new Board of Directors - including Certified Sommeliers - to guide its national expansion and enhance the guest dining experience.

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TZG’s Eric Orlando, Director of Government Affairs for the Brewers Guild of New Jersey (formerly NJ Brewer's Association), talked with Albert Gattullo’s Craft Beer Cast to unpack the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s (ABC) proposed regulations that would undermine the hard-won legislative victories from last year. Huge thanks to Al Gattullo for shining a light on this issue and having Eric on the show. Catch Eric’s full interview here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eFAj63Ff What’s next: The ABC is accepting public comments until November 1. Email abcpublic@njoag.gov to share your thoughts and perspective. Need more information on these latest proposals or more insights on alcohol regulation in New Jersey? Contact Eric at eorlando@tzgrp.com. In the weeks ahead, Eric will be speaking about these regulations and what’s happening in New Jersey’s craft alcohol beverage industry at the NJICLE’s Liquor Licensing Update 2025 on October 28. Stay tuned.

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Assemblywoman Andrea Katz’s bill (A5718) would make it easier for retailers to sell Jersey Fresh wine, beer, cider, and spirits, boosting our farmers, supporting local businesses, and keeping our agricultural heritage thriving. At Recklesstown Farm Distillery, spirits are made with Jersey-grown ingredients and proudly wear the Jersey Fresh label. Hear more from Asw. Katz and Recklesstown Farm Distillery on this legislation. New Jersey Department of Agriculture

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ABC Fine Wine & Spirits has acquired Applejack Wine & Spirits, marking the start of the company’s national expansion and its first move out of Florida after 90 years of operations. https://lnkd.in/eAEjMx2E

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The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States has testified alongside Maryland distilleries in favour of a bill to cut the ‘discriminatory’ tax rate on spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails.

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