New year, new trends! Let’s take a look at some of the wine trends expected to define 2026 and how we’re approaching them.
Crisp Whites & Chillable Reds
People are taking a more relaxed approach to wine. The days of the heavily oaked & full-bodied reds are fading. The average wine consumer is looking for something refreshing. Enter in crisp whites (we’ve already talked about the rise of white wine here) and chillable reds. They’re more approachable, tend to be more affordable, and easier to pair with a wide variety of dishes. Wine can seem an intimidating and sometimes elitist hobby, but with these easy-to-drink options, it doesn’t have to be.
Our approach: We have a wide range of delicious easy drinking whites from Albariño to Sauvignon Blanc to Riesling. Chill, pour over ice, or serve with frozen jalapeno slices – we can almost guarantee there’s an option for you. We recommend that most of our red wines are served around room temperature but currently we have two available that are perfect for chilling: Lambrusco and our Red Sangria. Fruity and lighter bodied, these are two reds that fall under the “refreshing” category.
No/Low Alcohol Options
The health & wellness industry is booming. People are more health conscious than ever before and that has leaked into the beverage industry. An increased emphasis on moderation means that people (especially the younger generations) are drinking less and looking for lower ABV options, especially for day to day. Enter in no alcohol (less than .5% ABV) and low alcohol wines (6-10% ABV). These are perfect for the consumer who wants to drink socially without indulging on the weekday night.
Our approach: Zero and low alcohol wines are something we have begun to think about but we’ll admit that we have had trouble finding a good quality zero alcohol wine that compares to that of a traditional wine. Low alcohol wines may be on our radar in the near future but for now, please enjoy our delicious alternative in the form of our wine-based seltzers! Less than 1 gram of sugar per serving and only 7% ABV!
Bubbles for Everyday
Champagne and Prosecco are no longer only for celebratory events! People are buying bubbles for every day. This ties back in with people looking for more approachable options. Sparkling wines are fun & delicious and there are no rules that say you can’t enjoy them whenever you want!
Our approach: We’re hoping to offer more sparkling wines in the future but currently have two options: Black Magic – a sweet and tart 100% black currant wine – by the bottle & Sauvignon Blanc on tap in our tasting room.
Experience > Status
Wine as a status symbol is no longer as important as it once was. People care less about the wine itself and more about the moment & the experience they’re sharing with other people.
Our approach: We want to make wine fun! We offer so many different options: casual flights for those who just want to sample a bunch of wine, formal tastings if people want to learn more about the winemaking process, and casual dinners & DIY nights so our customers can create memories with their friends and family over a glass of wine. Enjoying wine doesn’t have to include tech sheets and tasting notes (unless you want it to!) and we want to meet you where you’re at!
Learn more
People’s expectations of wine are changing, and these are only a few of the trends expected to define the wine industry in the coming year. Of course, micro-trends will pop up on social media as the summer wine season nears and we’re excited to see what they are!
For anyone interested in a more in-depth analysis, check out the State of the US Wine Industry Report.
