We are certainly living in different times—times that are difficult to predict and even harder to plan for. Challenges originating far outside our professional world are quickly impacting our day-to-day operations and, ultimately, your business. Throughout 2026, suppliers across the industry have faced significant disruption, and those challenges have inevitably flowed downstream to our valued wine and spirits customers. While none of us welcome this level of uncertainty, it is also not entirely unexpected given the global environment we’re operating in. Recently, the Wine Industry Network published a timely and insightful article that underscores the importance of preparation. The message is clear: we must plan ahead, secure what we can, and remain ready for continued volatility. Duties, tariffs, currency fluctuations, transportation challenges, and unexpected fees are all contributing to rising costs—and the reality is, no one can predict what will come next. What