Calif. Wineries to Meet July 21 to Rethink Global Exports

If there's one industry that's been hurt more than others by President Trump it's wine. After all, it was Trump's tariffs along with his repeated threats to "make Canada the 51st state" that led the provinces,who heavily control alcohol distribution, to remove U.S. bev/al from their provincial liquor store shelves.

That threat continues. On June 1, Trump shared an article that Canada had entered a "technical recession" for the first time since 2020. In response, Trump wrote: "51st state!"

That came just days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had held our and olive branch, telling the Economic Club of New York: "There are several opportunities that Canada and the U.S. should work together and compete with the rest of the world. The time has come for a new partnership that will redefine the economic relationship between our two countries."

Globally, according to a Wine Institute fact sheet, 2025 U.S. Wine Exports fell 30%, with key export markets in decline due in part to consumer backlash against U.S. products. In 2024, wine exports to Canada were larger than the next three export markets combined – the EU, UK and China. Canada represented 35% of U.S. wine exports in 2024. Now, except for Alberta and Saskatchewan, the Canadian market is closed to U.S. bev/al producers.

California producers have apparently given up on hopes the Canadian market will reopen to the U.S. as long as President Trump holds office. So, on Tuesday, July 21, California Wines staff, winery leaders, seasoned export professionals, and trade partners will convene at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Copia in Napa for the Annual Export Conference and Member Meeting, hosted by the Wine Institute’s California Wine Export Program.

The idea is to find other markets to replace Canada. said Honore Comfort, Vice President of International Marketing at Wine Institute, said. “The data is showing us where the opportunities lie. We just have to be willing to look. That’s what this conference is about: putting our best thinking, our best information and our best people in one room, for every California winery, so we can move forward with intention and direction. “

The meeting is open to Export Program members and non-member California wineries alike, a deliberate choice to bring every winery, regardless of size or export experience, into the room for a shared conversation.

The program includes:

• “Setting the Stage: The Data Behind Global Opportunity,” outlining data-driven opportunities in diversifying sales channels and targeting emerging markets 
• A trade policy insights and Q&A with Charles Jefferson and Jamie Ferman, Wine Institute’s Washington, D.C. policy team
• Regional breakout sessions led by Wine Institute’s international Trade Directors covering Africa, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Greater China, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America, Mexico, Southeast Asia, and the UK 
• “Looking Ahead: Five-Year Strategic Plan,” California Wine’s long-term strategy for global growth

For details and registration: calwinexport.com/export-conference-2026.