The goal is to increase production of non-alcoholic beverages to 25 percent of Alvarado Street’s total volume within the next decade. Such drinks are growing in importance for the brewery’s lineup, which is currently building a new production facility and tasting room in Castroville to meet the growing demand for all of its beverages, non-alcoholic or otherwise. On the wine front, Scheid Family Wines has hit the spot with its Sunny with a Chance of Flowers label, which measures in around 9-percent alcohol, compared to the roughly 14 percent for most other wines, along with zero sugar and 85 calories per serving. The winery produces two Rosés and varietals including a Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, available at stores such as BevMo!, Safeway, Whole Foods and more. Lisa McClung, senior brand manager for Scheid, says the label launched in 2020 in response to a consumer shift toward lower-alcohol drinks. Research conducted by Scheid showed that consumers want clear facts on their drinks, so Sunny with a Chance of Flowers puts the big points—zero sugar, alcohol percentage and calories—right up front on its labels. That desire for transparency goes hand-in-hand with consumers striving for a healthier lifestyle and being more mindful of their drinking habits. “We see that lower alcohol wines help them maintain those rituals and stay aligned with their wellness goals,” McClung says, noting that millennials and Gen Z of legal drinking age make up the majority of these customers, but older generations are joining them at a steady pace. She adds that consumers are being more intentional in their drinking occasions, with Scheid’s research finding that the top occasion its consumers pull out a Sunny drink is when relaxing and unwinding at home, and the low alcohol content means they won’t feel the effects the next day. Customers also note that they are drawn to the name of the label. “You really can’t say the brand name without smiling,” McClung says. “It feels fun and playful just to say it.” Alvarado Street Brewery 24 THE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® EAT + DRINK 2026-2027 43 Fisherman’s Wharf Monterey 831-288-6218 montereybaycreamery.com Homemade Ice cream, SHakeS & SundaeS
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