About Vintage Economics
The wine industry is currently facing an array of disruptive challenges, ranging from demographic and generational change to competition with cannabis, that pose both opportunities and threats to wine-related businesses. Success in today’s rapidly evolving and hyper-competitive market environment demands a more systematic and strategic approach than ever before, informed by relevant data, rigorous analysis, and creative and critical thinking.
The mission of Vintage Economics, founded by Dr. Chris Bitter, is to provide insightful market research and analytics that enables clients to identify opportunities, make better informed business decisions, and position themselves for success in the new era for wine.
Based in Vancouver, BC, Vintage Economics has expertise in both the U.S. and Canadian wine markets and offers research and advisory services focused on market analysis, strategy and data analytics. The firm also produces research reports and provides customized metrics and intelligence on the Washington wine industry. Clients include Washington State Wine, Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Coyote Canyon Vineyard, Wineshipping.com and others.
See the Dr. Bitter's blog for commentary on topics of both local and national interest and subscribe to the Washington Wine Industry Update, a free quarterly newsletter. Please contact Chris for additional information, to arrange a consultation, or to inquire about speaking engagements.
Christopher Bitter, PhD
Founder and Wine Economist
Dr. Chris Bitter, founder of Vintage Economics, is a wine economist with more than twenty years of experience in market analysis and applied economics. His research has been published in a variety of national and international publications including the Journal of Wine Economics and he has delivered presentations at wine industry conferences around the globe.
Chris left his academic position in 2016 to launch Vintage Economics with the goal of providing market analysis and intelligence to help position clients for success in a rapidly evolving and increasingly competitive market environment. He has completed consulting assignments for a variety of organizations including the Washington State Wine Commission and is developing a series of analytical reports focused on the Pacific Northwest wine industry.
In addition to his analytical expertise, Chris is an accomplished speaker and recently delivered an address on Washington wine industry trends during the State of the Industry Session at the Washington Winegrowers Convention.Prior to launching Vintages Economics, Chris spent seven years on the faculty with the University of Washington’s Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies where his teaching and research focused on market analysis and valuation. Chris has also held senior positions as an economist and market analyst in the private sector with RREEF, a prominent commercial real estate investment advisor, and the Dorchester Group, a boutique consulting firm focused on complex valuation-related assignments.
Chris holds a Doctorate from the University of Arizona in Economic Geography with a minor in Agricultural and Resource Economics and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Anthropology.
Research and Consulting Services
Separating the Signal from the Noise
Market Analysis & Forecasting
In today’s hyper-competitive environment, accurate assessments of market dynamics are more important than ever. But relevant data tend to be messy, incomplete, and often conflicting. Vintage Economics separates the signal from the noise to help clients achieve a nuanced understanding of the market and improve their competitive position within it.
A well-informed and appropriately segmented market analysis is an essential tool for strategic planning, identifying opportunities and risks, and developing realistic financial assumptions. Vintage Economics prepares customized market studies and forecasts to inform strategy and support a variety of decisions including market targeting, winery and vineyard acquisitions, and planting/replanting.
Data Analytics
The proliferation of "big" data tracking consumers and purchasing behavior, along with the growing volume of internal data wineries are collecting through their POS software and customer databases, has the potential to transform the wine industry similar to the way that "Money Ball" revolutionized the business of baseball.
Vintage Economics leverages its data and analytical expertise to unlock insights that enable clients to more effectively segment consumers and target customers, optimize pricing, improve operational efficiency, and expand sales and profitability. We also help clients to appreciate the benefits and limitations of analytics and how they can exploit their data to maximum advantage.
Strategic Studies
The wine industry is facing an array of disruptive challenges including an evolving consumer, demographic shifts, new paths to market, tariff threats, climate change, and competition with cannabis and emerging alcoholic beverage categories. The rapidly evolving market landscape poses both opportunities and threats to wine-related businesses.
Vintage Economics can design and execute customized research projects to help clients achieve a nuanced understanding of the strategic implications of emerging trends and position their organizations for success in a new era for wine.
Washington Reports and Metrics
Many thanks to all who’ve purchased Vintage Economics’ Washington State reports. The Washington Winery Report 2020 Edition has just been released. I’ve decided to suspend publication of the annual Review & Outlook and quarterly Wine Shipment reports at this point. Vintage Economics will continue to provide customized analysis and metrics on the Washington wine industry to clients on a personalized basis.
The Washington Winery Report - 2020
Available Now
The Washington Winery Report provides 2019 shipment and production totals for all 1000+ Washington winery licenses as well as more extensive metrics for wineries that shipped at least 1,000 cases, including shipments broken down by type and sales channel and three years of historical data on total shipments and production. It also contains industry statistics and benchmarks, a list of new and discontinued licenses, winery and satellite tasting room counts by location, and winery rankings.
The report represents the most comprehensive source of intelligence available on Washington wineries and wine shipment trends. The metrics will be valuable to wineries for benchmarking their performance, growers and service providers for generating new business leads, and others seeking insight into the Washington wine industry.
Click here for a sample of the report.
Price: $325 to $550 depending on business size.
Use the online store to purchase by credit card. If you would prefer to pay by check, please call 206-981-6885.
Customized Metrics and Industry Intelligence
Knowledge is Power
Leveraging its proprietary databases and industry contacts, Vintage Economics supplies customized metrics and intelligence on the Washington wine industry tailored to clients' unique needs.
Metrics include:
- Winery shipments by sales channel and net production
- Winery ownership, location, brands and critical acclaim
- Winery and satellite tasting room metrics by county and trade area
- Washington bulk and bottled wine inventory
- Washington wine imports and exports
- Washington wine sales (in-state wineries, out-of-state wineries, imports)
- Grape output, pricing and acreage by varietal
Potential applications include:- Winery performance benchmarking and competitive analysis
- Targeting customers for grapes, services, and equipment sales
- Identifying and evaluating winery and vineyard acquisition targets
- Tracking the size, structure and growth dynamics of the industry
Click here to download a winery metrics sample.
Please contact Chris Bitter for additional details and pricing.
- The Washington Wine Industry UpdateClick the box to download a copy of Vintage Economics' free quarterly newsletterand sign up below to receive notification when new issues are released.
Purchase Reports
Washington Winery Report - 2020 Edition325.00 - 550.00Pricing is based on business size:
Small: annual revenue less than $5 million
Medium: annual revenue between $5 million and $25 million
Large: annual revenue greater than $25 million
Click the down arrow below to select an option and purchase by credit card. If you would prefer to pay by check, please call 206-981-6885.
The report will be emailed in PDF format to the address provided during checkout.
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The information contained in this report is proprietary. Purchasers may distribute the report only to employees of their immediate company and board members and consultants for use only on projects specific to the purchaser’s company. No portion of the report may be reproduced or published in any form without prior written consent from Vintage Economics.