Susan DeMatei | President, WineGlass Marketing
Every year, the Wine Business Monthly “Wine Industry Leaders” list lands in my inbox, and I always pause to read it. It’s easy to treat awards like these as just another round of applause for familiar names, and it’s always good to see that so many of them have been involved in speaking at the DTC Symposium. But this year’s felt different. Maybe it’s the moment we’re in—sales are flattening, the market feels heavy, and it can be hard to feel inspired. But as I read through this year’s honorees, I found myself thinking that the selections said something deeper about what the wine industry actually needs right now.
So, three things stood out to me.
First, legacy doesn’t have to mean looking backward. So many of the people on this list aren’t resting on what they built decades ago; they’re reimagining it. They’re evolving their brands, their vineyards, even their leadership styles. That’s not just admirable—it’s instructive. In a time when change can feel relentless, there’s something reassuring about seeing long-time stewards of this industry still experimenting, still curious, still adapting. It reminds me that experience is only as valuable as what you do with it.
Second, purpose has moved from the margins to the center. Almost every name on this list represents some form of stewardship—environmental, social, or cultural. The industry has finally started rewarding not just those who make great wine, but those who make wine responsibly. I find that inspiring. It tells me that sustainability isn’t a marketing department talking point anymore—it’s a leadership value.
And third, the definition of success feels more grounded in quality and connection than in growth. Many of this year’s honorees have built reputations on making fewer, better things and focusing on community and customer experience over expansion. That’s a message worth holding onto, especially in a down market where the temptation is to chase volume.
So, yes, I came away from the list inspired. It reminded me that the path forward for wineries, marketers, and anyone who works in this field might not be about chasing what’s next, but deepening what already matters.
And I appreciate Erin Kirschenmann and the Wine Business Monthly team for curating this list not just as recognition, but as reflection—an annual reminder of who we are, and who we still want to be.