Helping Stave Off Wine Tariffs Could Take Only 20 Seconds

A critical letter from wine industry businesses is now being organized

Just to be clear, in case you’ve not already realized, I am a steadfast proponent, fan, and member of the American wine industry. This means I want the industry to thrive. I want it to attract smart and energetic people. I want it to be profitable. I want everyone in America to drink wine.

It also means I want to see no harm come to the wine industry. It is for this reason that I am firmly opposed to tariffs on imported wine. I’m opposed because these tariffs will hurt the entire industry: Importers, wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, U.S. producers, and every single person working at these businesses. Tariffs will also harm consumers who will end up paying more for the wines they enjoy, if they keep buying them at all.

So given this I want to show you what you can do to help push back against the very real threat of tariffs on imported wines. And it only takes 20 seconds.

The United States Wine Trade Alliance is organizing a letter to be delivered to the Trump Administration’s primary trade officials with the hope of showing them that 5,000+ U.S. businesses oppose new tariffs on imported wines.

You can read the letter HERE.

Here is my ask:

If you work in the wine industry or around it, please consider signing on to this letter.

Doing so is simple: Write an email to Evan Sarnor at The Akin Group, a DC-based government affairs consultancy that specializes in international trade and is working closely with the U.S. Wine Trade Alliance to prevent tariffs on wine. When they receive 5,000 signatures to the letter they will deliver it to the Trump trade team, leaving an indelible message that the U.S. wine industry is opposed to tariffs.

Send the Email to Evan and include the following information:

NAME
COMPANY
TYPE OF COMPANY
LOCATION
EMAIL ADDRESS

The problem with tariffs on imported wines is that they severely disrupt the U.S. wine sales and distribution ecosystem. What many people don’t understand is that for every $1 that is sent to European wine businesses, the American wine industry makes $4.52. This added value is spread across the industry from importers to wholesalers to restaurants and retailers.

The tariff threat has been expressed from anywhere between 20% to 100% on imported wines. Even at 20%, this means significant price increases for consumers, slower sales for retailers and restaurants, reduced purchases by wholesalers, and much higher costs for importers. It means layoffs, lost jobs, and even lost businesses. The impact of 100% tariffs is unfathomable.

Some folks suggest that tariffs on imported wines are just great for American wineries. Don’t believe it.

First, as wholesalers are squeezed, they cut back on their inventory purchases. That means cutbacks on purchases of American-made wines too. Second, many wine shops cater to individuals who love their Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Barolo, and other imported wines. These folks don’t just switch to Napa Cabernet or Oregon Pinot Noir when they are priced out of their favorite Bordeaux and Burgundies. For many wine drinkers, these products are not fungible. They simply stop buying.

Smart people pick and choose their battles. You can’t swing at every pitch. Too many metaphors spoil the broth. But this battle over tariffs is an existential fight for those who work in the industry and deserves to be taken up by those who make a living in wine.

And incidentally, the question of tariffs isn’t a partisan battle. Democrats and Republicans work in the wine industry. Tariffs will harm these folks no matter who they voted for. It wasn’t too long ago when tariffs on imported wines were first instituted (2019) and were opposed by people on both sides of the political dividing line. That was the battle that led to the creation of the U.S. Wine Trade Alliance, which is a highly unique industry organization in that it includes members from the importing, wholesaling, retail, restaurant, and producer parts of the industry.

So, I’ll ask one more time. If you are in the wine industry OR work around the industry, please take a moment to email Evan Sarnor at the Akin Group and give your consent to be signed on to the industry letter going to the Trump Administration trade representatives. Include your Name, Business Name, Location, Type of Business, and Email.

I’ve sent the email myself and I timed it out. It takes approximately 20 seconds. Do you have 20 seconds to spare?

Thank you. Thank you for subscribing to Fermentation. Thank you for helping stand up for the entire American wine industry. Thank you for taking the time.