LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — Next time you order a glass of local wine, or pick out a bottle at the store, you might get hit with a higher price.
Even as President Donald Trump pauses most tariffs, including the 145% tariffs on all Chinese imports, local businesses, including wineries, are still bracing for the uncertainty.
At Liberty Lake Wine Cellars, even though the wine is produced locally, everything from the glass bottles to their corks is produced abroad.
“Our main concern now is glass,” said owner Mark Lathrop. “China sets the glass market.”
He said Trump’s tariffs on Chinese imports will significantly impact the winery’s business.
“That’s a lot of money when you buy 40,000 bottles a year. So, from what we’ve heard from our vendors, the hit that we’re going to take is equal to about 25% of our net income from our cost increases,” said Lathrop.
Lathrop said he bought bottles before the tariff’s hit but he knows he will have to pay significantly more the next time he buys glass.
He said he plans to raise prices next month to offset costs. It’s a move he does not take lightly.
“We’re very club-driven, and we know the people we’re increasing prices for. We see them every day, so that’s really tough to do,” he said.
Latah Creek Wine Cellars is in a similar situation. One of their wine makers said they have no choice but to purchase bottles from China.
“There is not enough domestic glass to go around. They are at max capacity, and we found that out during COVID,” said Natalie Barnes, wine maker at Latah Creek Wine Cellars.
Natalie says they’ve been hit with a lot of cost increases over the years but haven’t felt the direct impact of the China tariff yet. They might though when they buy more bottles next year.
“we’ll see how the glass goes in those tariffs. But, we will have to increase prices if we want to be here in another two, three, four, 20 years,” she said.
Like Mark, this isn’t a decision Natalie says they make lightly.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
