While in the past being a top notch vineyard simply meant growing grapes which were so full of flavor the resulting wine was exceptional on the palate times have changed a little in the industry. No longer does a vineyard get by, by simply growing grapes and making wine. Now a vineyard needs to market there wines and appeal to what is selling as opposed to just dictating what is in demand.
For the past couple of years as the economy as suffered trends have been toward less expensive wines that are still full of flavor making business hard for premium wine areas such as Napa Valley.
Other trends include being organic and environmental since these are things that are important to the average wine consumer today. Using agriculture methods that will not fill the product full of pesticides or the area with chemicals are higher in demand than traditional wines. Packing is also important to many with recycling and less materials needed in bottles and boxes as long as the wine inside is of exceptional quality. Wine lovers still enjoy to splurge on wine for themselves and personalized wine gifts for friends but the wine inside needs to live up to the same values they consider important.