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The Wine Industry Slump Is Real. The Opportunity Is, Too.

Traditional demand for wine has softened, buyers are pickier, and “default growth” is basically gone. Meanwhile, the consumer mindset has changed dramatically—wellness, moderation, and “I want to drink less but still drink well” is becoming the new normal.

That combo is tough on the old playbook. But it’s also a huge opening for brands that are willing to pivot with intention (not panic).

At BevZero, we see this moment as a reset: a chance to meet people where they are now—and build a portfolio that survives the slump and comes out stronger on the other side with non-alcoholic products.

What’s Driving the Slump

A few things are happening at once:

  • Wellness is influencing purchase decisions more than ever. People aren’t necessarily “anti-wine”, they’re just more mindful about alcohol consumption.
  • Curiosity has matured into expectation. Today’s no/low-alc shopper isn’t experimenting anymore, they expect real wine character: aroma, varietal identity, balance, and mouthfeel.
  • Shortcuts are getting exposed. There’s less patience for products that taste thin, oddly sweet, or overly “fixed.” Consumers can taste when quality wasn’t the priority.

“If you start with a bad wine, you’re going to have a terrible de-alc wine.” — Jerome Eckert-Nathan, President & CEO, BevZero

The Premium Pivot: No/Low-Alc Wine is Finally Growing Up

For a long time, no/low-alc wine got treated like a plan B.

Now? The best de-alc products are being built on purpose, because producers are realizing the category requires designing a great wine experience first.

We’re seeing the industry move toward:

  • More intentional sourcing (varietals, ripeness windows, and grape profiles chosen with the final NA/low-alc target in mind)
  • Less heavy formulation as consumers push for “cleaner” ingredient decks and fewer artificial flavors
  • More credibility signals (including awards) proving premium results are achievable when the process is done right

So Where Does BevZero Fit In?

This is exactly what our team was built for.

When the market shifts, the brands that win are the ones that can move fast and keep quality high. That’s what our non alcoholic product services are designed to do: help you create premium no/low-alc wines that feel authentic to your brand story, without building costly infrastructure, guessing your way through technical decisions, or losing months in development.

BevZero’s Non-Alcoholic Production Services

Different producers need different levels of support; so we built a flexible, end-to-end approach. Depending on your goals, BevZero can support:

1) Product Development

This is where premium no/low-alc wine is won or lost—because you’re not just “removing alcohol.” You’re protecting aroma, mouthfeel, balance, and varietal character.

Our team can help with:

  • product conceptualization and sensory goal setting
  • identifying the right base wine
  • benchtop development work (so you can test before scaling)
  • nutrition panel support through certified labs (for label readiness)

2) Dealcoholization

We use very low temperature vacuum distillation to reduce alcohol while preserving natural aroma and flavor compounds—whether you’re aiming for lifestyle/low-alc or pushing into true non-alcoholic targets.

3) Bulk, Finished Product, and White/Private Label Options

Need speed to market? Want to expand a portfolio without reinventing your whole operation? We can provide non-alcoholic bulk product or finished formula options for branding, infusion, or private/white label needs.

4) Project Management + Supply Chain Coordination

From planning to sourcing to production/packaging coordination, we help keep timelines realistic and launches smooth—especially when you’re building something new alongside your core business.

Survive (and Thrive) Through the Slump

Here’s what we’d recommend if you’re staring down soft demand and wondering what’s next:

Step 1: Start with Your Brand

What does your winery stand for—heritage, sustainability, luxury, everyday enjoyment, food pairing? A no/low-alc extension works best when it feels like a natural evolution, not a bolt-on.

Step 2: Choose a Premium Target

When tasting your low/no-alc wine, you want consumers to say:

  • “That’s actually wine.”
  • “I’d pour that at a dinner party.”
  • “I’d buy that again.”

That target shapes everything: varietal choice, ripeness, fermentation decisions, dealcoholization strategy, and how much (or how little) formulation you’ll need.

Step 3: Build Intentionally

This is where BevZero’s non alcoholic product services make the difference. We’re here to collaborate and engineer the path to your sensory goal, with quality leading the process.

A Quick FAQ

Is no/low-alc wine still growing even if traditional wine is down?

In our day-to-day work, we’re seeing strong momentum driven by moderation and wellness—and increased expectations for quality. According to NielsenIQ, “As of the beginning of January 2026, the nonalcoholic wine market is up 29.1% with the overall wine market down 4.9%”

Can I make a premium non-alcoholic wine from existing inventory?

Sometimes, but the best outcomes come from intentional planning and high-quality base wine. “Quality in, quality out” is real.

What’s the benefit of using non alcoholic product services instead of doing it in-house?

Speed, expertise, fewer technical missteps, and no need for major infrastructure investments—plus end-to-end support if you want it.

Pivoting in 2026? BevZero is The Smart Next Move

If the category slump has you thinking “we need a new growth lane,” you’re already asking the right question.

The next step is making sure your pivot is premium, on-brand, and built for today’s consumer.

If you want to explore what that could look like for your winery, check out:

BevZero’s non alcoholic product services can help you get from idea to a premium bottle—faster, cleaner, and with fewer costly detours.

Contact BevZero online and we’ll talk through what the next step looks like for your specific portfolio.