Text by: SW Team
2025 harvest reports from France and Italy; Wine bar for Queers in New York, Garagiste wine festival in Paso Robles
How’s the 2025 vintage in France?
Paris, September 11, 2025 – France’s agriculture ministry has slashed its wine harvest forecast to 37.4 million hectolitres, down from hopes of more than 42m. Drought, hail, and wildfire savaged regions such as Alsace and Languedoc. Yet the story isn’t all gloom: Burgundy is bouncing back with a 45% surge, Jura has nearly tripled its volumes after frost losses in 2024, and the Loire also reports a healthy climb. The nation may pour less overall, but some vineyards are raising a jubilant toast.
Italian Wine Surge: Plenty of Bottles, Plenty of Concern
Rome, September 11, 2025 – Italy’s vineyards are bursting, with 2025 production expected to reach 47.4 million hectolitres, an 8% gain on last year. Southern regions such as Sicily and Puglia lead the climb, while Tuscany and Umbria shrink slightly. But this abundance comes with risk: oversupply. With stocks already heavy, producers fear that falling prices could squeeze margins and destabilize the sector. For Italian winemakers, the challenge now isn’t coaxing grapes from vines, but convincing the world to drink them.
BABE Wine Bar Photo: thedrinksbusiness.com
BABE Wine Bar: Pouring Queer Joy & Community in NYC
New York, September 11, 2025 – BABE Wine Bar is shaking up Manhattan’s wine scene with a simple mission: joy and inclusion in every pour. Founded by Ren Peir and trent, the space blends bottles with belonging, offering natural wines, non-alc options, and a lineup of lively, often sold-out events. Gone are the stiff rituals of traditional somm culture — here, queer identity and community pride are the terroir. In the city that never sleeps, BABE proves wine is about who’s at the table as much as what’s in the glass.
Photo: garagistefestival.com
Paso Robles’ Garagiste Festival Goes Big for Fifteen Years
Paso Robles, September 11, 2025 – The Garagiste Wine Festival, long a champion of small-lot producers, marks its 15th anniversary this November with more than 50 wineries pouring over 200 wines. Guests can explore bold blends, sparkling experiments, and rare collector gems at the “Rare & Reserve” tasting, alongside seminars on oak and terroir. Live music and a Passport Day of discounts round out the celebration. What began as a scrappy showcase now stands as a signature Paso event — proof that tiny wineries can have a huge voice.
