Finding Gratitude in Challenging Times: A Thanksgiving Reflection on the Wine Industry

11.03.2025  |  by Stacey Heuer

As we approach Thanksgiving, it’s a time to pause and reflect on the past year—the lessons we’ve learned, the challenges we’ve navigated, and the many things we have to be grateful for. For those of us in the wine industry, this reflection feels especially meaningful. The past year has asked us to adapt, to rethink long-standing traditions, and to find new ways to connect with customers and one another. We’ve witnessed shifting consumer preferences, evolving markets, and the uncertainty that naturally comes with change. Yet through it all, I’ve seen incredible determination, creativity, and collaboration across our community. These qualities remind me that, while the landscape may shift, what truly endures is our shared passion for the craft, our resilience in the face of challenge, and the strong sense of camaraderie that binds us together. In that spirit, I’d like to share what I’m especially thankful for within our wine industry family.

Grateful for Resilience and Passion in the Wine Industry

First and foremost, I’m grateful for the resilience and passion of the people who make up this industry. From growers to winemakers, distributors to tasting room teams, vendors to marketers—the love for wine and the craft of sharing it with others remains unwavering. Despite the downturn, I see individuals pushing forward with creativity and determination, keeping alive the spirit that first drew us all to this world.

Grateful for Connection and Collaboration
I’m also thankful for the spirit of connection and collaboration that binds our industry together. Organizations like Wine Women and BANG (By Appointment Networking Group) remind us that we don’t have to navigate these times alone. These groups create space for dialogue, encouragement, and shared solutions. They bring professionals together, helping us not only to strengthen our networks, but also to lift one another up through collaboration.

Spotlight on Wine Women
Wine Women champions the professional advancement of women in the wine industry through education, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The group hosts events that connect people across all facets of the industry, from production to marketing to logistics, helping foster career growth while strengthening the industry as a whole.

For Copper Peak Logistics, being a corporate member of Wine Women has been an invaluable opportunity. It allows us to support and invest in the leadership and success of women within the industry—something we care deeply about. Our team participates in events, expands professional networks, and engages with individuals throughout all aspects of the industry in meaningful ways, building relationships that go beyond business.

Spotlight on BANG (By Appointment Networking Group)
BANG is another cornerstone of the wine industry’s collaborative spirit. This networking organization is designed to bring industry professionals together. By connecting winery owners, sales teams, distributors, and service providers, BANG accelerates relationships, encourages knowledge sharing, and creates opportunities for collaboration that might not happen otherwise. I have the privilege of serving as a BANG Ambassador, a role I truly love. I’m especially thankful for the opportunity to support the host location and to welcome each participant as they arrive, helping to set the tone for the connections and collaborations that follow.

As a Platinum member, Copper Peak Logistics enjoys the full suite of BANG benefits, including priority access to events, the ability to host and participate in events, which leads to visibility among industry leaders. This membership strengthens our network, keeps us informed about industry trends, and allows us to share our expertise with a broader community—all while fostering mutually beneficial partnerships that help our clients and the wine industry thrive.

Grateful for the Shared Table
Lastly, I’m thankful for the simple truth that wine continues to bring people together. No matter the market conditions, a bottle of wine opened around a table has the power to create conversation, celebration, and connection. This enduring gift of wine—the ability to unite us—remains unchanged and is perhaps more important than ever.

As we gather this Thanksgiving, I encourage all of us in the wine industry to take a moment of gratitude. Let’s honor the resilience, the collaboration, and the shared joy that sustains us. Because even in challenging times, there is so much to be thankful for.

Here’s to a season of connection, and to the bright future we continue to build—together.