Hall of Fame NFL coach closes winery tasting room, no bankruptcy

The U.S. wine industry faced a challenging year in 2025, which resulted in a decline in volume to 329 million cases produced, compared to 335.9 million cases in 2024. Wine industry revenue also declined in 2025 to $74.3 billion, compared to $75.5 billion in 2024, according to Silicon Valley Bank's ...

Feb 2, 2026 - 12:00

Hall of Fame NFL coach closes winery tasting room, no bankruptcy

The U.S. wine industry faced a challenging year in 2025, which resulted in a decline in volume to 329 million cases produced, compared to 335.9 million cases in 2024.

Wine industry revenue also declined in 2025 to $74.3 billion, compared to $75.5 billion in 2024, according to Silicon Valley Bank's State of the U.S. Wine Industry 2026 report.

Revenue sinks 21% over 5 years

Even more significant is the decline in revenue since 2020, when the industry generated $94 billion in revenue before sinking by $19.7 billion or almost 21% over the next five years.

A wine expert offered an explanation for the decline.

Boomers drinking less wine

"Boomers are drinking less, and there are fewer of them every day," wrote Rob McMillan, executive vice president and founder of the Silicon Valley Bank Wine Division.

"They are replaced by the younger cohorts who aren't as much in love with wine as their elders," McMillan, author of Silicon Valley Bank's report, wrote.

"It should be noted that this current flock of consumers under 30 drink less than any similarly aged group, as far back as records go," he said.

The consequences from the decline in volume and revenue has been the closure of iconic winery tasting rooms that were adored by many longtime wine drinkers.

Consumers will have fewer classic tasting rooms to visit on their wine tasting tours going forward.

Vintner Jean Charles Boisset, who owns Chateau Buena Vista, closed tasting rooms in downtown Napa, Calif., and in Yountville, Calif., in January 2026, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Vermeil Wines closes its iconic downtown Napa tasting room but still continues operating.

Vermeil Wines closes iconic tasting room

And now, former NFL head coach Dick Vermeil closed his Vermeil Wines tasting room in downtown Napa, Calif., on Jan. 31, the winery posted on Instagram.

"After nearly 15 unforgettable years, we are sharing a heartfelt update: we will be closing our Downtown Napa Tasting Room on January 31st," the winery said in the post.

"As one of the very first tasting rooms to open its doors in downtown Napa, this space has been home to countless memories, friendships and shared glasses of wine." the post said. "Saying goodbye is not easy, but the time has come for us to embrace a new chapter."

Vermeil Wines said it needs to evolve with the rapidly changing wine market. It also will begin traveling to bring its wines to the public across the country.

The winery said it will continue promoting its wine club, offering first access to new releases and special bottlings, as well as exclusive benefits to members. It will also continue offering personalized tastings at one of the Thomas Rivers Brown wineries in St. Helena, Calif., the post said.

Vermeil led Rams to Super Bowl win

Vermeil, who was born and raised in Calistoga, Calif., in Napa Valley, bottled his first vintage of Jean Louis Vermeil Cabernet Sauvignon in 1999 with winemaker Paul Smith, in the year that the Hall of Fame head coach led the "Greatest Show on Turf" St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl XXXIV victory.

The former NFL head coach launched Vermeil Wines in 2007.

More closings:

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Previously, Vermeil led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl loss to the Oakland Raiders as head coach in the 1980 season. He was also the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs from 2001-2005.

Vermeil was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.

The California native currently resides in East Fallowfield, Pa., according to Vista Today.