Crush It: Game-Changing Access to Modern Winemaking Solutions

In winemaking, as in wine itself, the best results come from the perfect blend of tradition, innovation, and expert guidance.

The 2025 vintage has shown me that winemaking tradition is colliding with technological innovation and marketing trends… and it’s not a moment too soon. Regardless of location, today’s winemakers face unprecedented challenges every vintage: 

• Economic disruptions are continuing to stretch cellar budgets thin forcing winemakers to make tough decisions on grape selection and how to process grapes to make high quality wines at a lower cost. Examples that caused winemakers to pause this year: the costs enological products like fining agents and yeast nutrients, glass bottles, and oak. 
• Climate volatility throws vintage curveballs every season. Some regions faced extremely high acid retention during the 2025 vintage. Other vintages have brought on wildfire management that impact grape quality. And, almost every vintage, pests can decimate a nearly ripe crop overnight. 
• And consumer palates – and wallets – evolve faster than a growing season. There have been sharp left turns in consumer preferences since 2020. There’s a growing community minimizing alcohol intake all together, and larger purchase power for value, but quality-driven products. This makes competition fierce for every alcohol business.

The question isn’t whether you need expert guidance; it’s how to access expertise without breaking the bank.

Enter the revolution Denise Gardner Winemaking (DGW) has developed, transforming how vintners perfect their craft. DGW leads an on-going virtual coaching program in the form of our DGW Elite Membership. It’s led by industry expertise, primarily by Denise and her closest colleagues, and hosted amongst a community of progressive winemakers.

Your Cellar, Your Schedule, Your Success

Gone are the days when expertise was confined to expensive consultants charging $1,000 or more for a few hours to look at your cellar. While their information was insightful, and the visits are always fun, their high-cost trips often leave winemakers without real, practical solutions, executable how-to’s, and adequate follow-up to ensure success. At the end of each session, I saw very little changes typically made in the cellar. 

DGW brings world-class wine industry knowledge directly to your fingertips, whether you’re monitoring fermentation at 2 AM or troubleshooting unexpected challenges mid-harvest. (And, by the way, DGW Clients work with Denise specifically to avoid 2 AM fermentation checks because life is, after all, about balance while crafting high quality wines!)

For Elite Members that make the most of our monthly time, it’s impossible not to learn new, productive tricks for better cellar management. Here are a few topics that our Elite Members have tackled this harvest season that you may have experienced in your cellar:

High TA Situations That Don’t Have to Hijack Your Vintage. Almost everyone in our community is working on monitoring TA’s in their wines. Why? Because they have seen the benefit in not only how they can make better decisions, but they saw this helped create better consistency in their wines. Thus, when Mother Nature delivers fruit with sky-high acidity, panic doesn’t have to be your first response. Our coaching sessions have guided winemakers through proven strategies to manage elevated TA levels while preserving the integrity and character of their wines. From malolactic timing to blending techniques, subscribers gain access to battle-tested approaches that turn potential disasters into distinctive vintages.

The Fruit Processing Bottleneck Solution. Harvest waits for no one, but sometimes processing capacity does. When your fruit is ready but your equipment isn’t, every hour counts. Our virtual coaching has helped winemakers develop contingency protocols that maintain fruit quality during processing delays, optimize processing workflows, and implement field decisions that buy precious time without compromising final wine quality.

Operational Finesse That Defines Your Style. Great winemaking isn’t just about following recipes. It’s also about developing operational protocols that consistently express your unique vision. Through personalized coaching, subscribers learn to fine-tune their processes, from fermentation management to aging regimens, creating reproducible excellence that becomes their signature. Furthermore, we dive deep into more artistic processes and how winemakers can put their fingerprint into every bottle of wine produced.

Connection To Suppliers That Matter. There are so many vendors and suppliers out there that want your time and your money. Wouldn’t it be nice to cut through the noise and find reputable people to work with to enhance your wines? Denise brings these options and a vast network of trusted colleagues that she’s gained within the 20+ years she’s been a part of the wine industry.

The Economics of Excellence

Here’s the reality that smart winemakers are embracing: virtual coaching doesn’t just improve your wine; it transforms your bottom line.

Traditional consulting can cost thousands per visit, with no guarantee the expert will be available during your critical moments. Academic programs demand months of commitment and classroom presence you simply can’t spare during harvest or bottling seasons.

The DGW Elite virtual coaching flips these models entirely. For a fraction of traditional consulting costs, you gain:

• Routine, reliable guidance that you can schedule into your busy calendar.
• On-demand access to tools and information that will help you whenever you need it.
• Cost-effective problem-solving that prevents expensive mistakes before they happen. Denise’s guidance is not just following the ideal; it’s providing the ideal for you in your winery.
• Scalable learning that grows with your operation, from boutique to larger commercial winery.
• Annual availability throughout the entire production cycle.

Subscribers routinely report cost savings that exceed their annual investment in the DGW Elite program within a single vintage simply by making better decisions. We strive to make these coaching programs more than educational. We want them to be your competitive advantage in an increasingly sophisticated market with systematic, ongoing education that transforms reactive winemaking into strategic winemaking.

Your Next Vintage Starts Now

Every great wine begins with informed decisions. While DGW will continue to produce the annual “Winemaking Goals and Ambitions” worksheet that is open content to everyone here, the DGW Elite program is designed to put those ideas into operational excellence through continuous improvement and encouragement.

The question isn’t whether you can afford virtual coaching. It’s whether you can afford to continue without it. Grapes are getting better. The market is getting more competitive. Your craft deserves the support that ensures each vintage surpasses the last.

Ready to transform your approach to winemaking? Your future self—and your future wines—will thank you.

The views and opinions expressed through dgwinemaking.com are intended for general informational purposes only. Denise Gardner Winemaking does not assume any responsibility or liability for those winery, cidery, or alcohol-producing operations that choose to use any of the information seen here or within dgwinemaking.com.