Since April, the current administration has announced an array of different tariff scenarios for European wines, with some going as high as 200%. These potential charges have caused significant concern among wine producers, importers, distributors, and the rest of the wine & spirits community. As we contemplate the impact, many discussions are taking place about how we can shield you, the consumer, from the increased costs.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?
As of August 1, all wines from the EU are subject to a 15% tariff. While wine-sense always stocks a wide selection of amazing domestic wines, our Italian, French, and Spanish producers bring generations of passion and tradition to our shelves that simply can’t be replaced.

WHY ARE THESE TARIFFS SUCH A PROBLEM?
Because we prioritize authenticity, we don’t source wines from large conglomerates with unlimited buying power. Most of our winemakers, importers, and distributors are small companies for whom tariffs pose a significant financial burden. For example, if an importer purchases $200,000 worth of wines from Europe, they’ll incur an additional $30,000 in tariffs upon receiving the shipment at the port. And after they’ve paid this up-front tax, they must pass at least a portion of the cost into the distribution and retail chain.

HOW WILL SHELF PRICES BE AFFECTED?
We faced a similar challenge with slightly lower tariffs back in 2019 and managed to adapt. Once again, we’ll do everything possible to absorb the costs and avoid passing the full 15% increase on to our customers, while still protecting the true value and expectations of the wines we represent. However, some price increases are unavoidable. We’ll strive to keep this process as honest and transparent as possible.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we navigate these changes together.