Wine: Good for Your Health, Good for Your Stock Portfolio?

by Fred Fuld III

Drinking wine in moderation has been associated with several potential health benefits. However, it’s important to note that these benefits apply to moderate consumption, which typically means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Excessive alcohol consumption can have detrimental effects on health. Here are some potential health benefits of moderate wine consumption:

  1. Heart health: Moderate wine consumption, particularly red wine, has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. Red wine contains antioxidants called polyphenols, including resveratrol, which may help protect the heart by increasing levels of “good” HDL cholesterol and preventing damage to blood vessels.
  2. Antioxidant properties: Wine, especially red wine, contains antioxidants that can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. These antioxidants, such as resveratrol and quercetin, have been shown to have potential anti-aging effects and may help protect against certain chronic diseases.
  3. Blood pressure management: Some studies suggest that moderate wine consumption may help lower blood pressure. The polyphenols in wine could improve blood vessel function and promote better blood flow, which in turn can help reduce hypertension risk.
  4. Reduced risk of certain cancers: Some research has found that moderate wine consumption, particularly red wine, may be associated with a lower risk of certain cancers, such as colon, prostate, and breast cancer. However, it’s important to note that excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancers, so moderation is key.
  5. Improved cognitive function: Some studies have suggested that moderate wine consumption, especially red wine, may have a protective effect on cognitive function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The antioxidants in wine may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are believed to contribute to these conditions.

If you are looking to invest in the wine and vineyard industry, there are a few stocks to choose from.

The Duckhorn Portfolio (NAPA) is a collection of luxury wineries based in the United States. Founded in 1976 by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, the company started with Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley, California, where they initially focused on producing high-quality Merlot wines. Over the years, The Duckhorn Portfolio expanded through acquisitions and vineyard development, encompassing several distinct wineries known for their exceptional wines.

Duckhorn Vineyards, the flagship winery, is renowned for its elegant Merlot and other Bordeaux varietals. Paraduxx specializes in Napa Valley red blends, combining traditional Bordeaux varieties with Zinfandel to create robust wines. Goldeneye, located in California’s Anderson Valley, focuses on crafting outstanding Pinot Noir from cool-climate vineyards. Migration sources grapes from California’s finest cool-climate regions to produce Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines that reflect their terroir. Canvasback, situated in Washington State’s Red Mountain AVA, is dedicated to premium Cabernet Sauvignon production. Additionally, the acquisition of Calera Vineyards in 2017 added exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from California’s Central Coast to their portfolio.

The Duckhorn Portfolio follows a wine philosophy centered on showcasing the unique character and terroir of each vineyard site. They prioritize meticulous vineyard management, sustainable farming practices, and artisan winemaking techniques to produce wines of exceptional quality and expression. Sustainability is an important focus for the company, and they strive to minimize their environmental impact through initiatives such as water conservation, energy efficiency, and biodiversity preservation.

The wines produced by The Duckhorn Portfolio have garnered numerous accolades and high ratings from critics and wine enthusiasts, solidifying their reputation as a producer of premium wines.

This, $1.46 billion market cap company trades at 25 times trailing earnings and 18 times forward earnings. Quarterly earnings growth year-over-year was 7.8%, with an estimated long term annual growth of 8.1% over the next five years.

Vintage Wine Estates (VWE) is a wine company that operates multiple wineries and vineyards throughout the United States. With a diverse portfolio of wine brands, Vintage Wine Estates is committed to producing high-quality wines from various wine regions. The company focuses on crafting wines that showcase the unique characteristics of each vineyard site and emphasizes sustainable farming practices and artisanal winemaking techniques.

Vintage Wine Estates owns and operates several well-known wineries, including B.R. Cohn Winery in Sonoma Valley, California, which produces premium wines from estate vineyards. The company also owns Girard Winery in Napa Valley, known for its Bordeaux varietals, and Cosentino Winery in Napa Valley and Lodi, specializing in small-lot, handcrafted wines.

In addition to its California wineries, Vintage Wine Estates has expanded its reach to Oregon’s Willamette Valley with its brand Firesteed Cellars, which focuses on cool-climate varietals like Pinot Noir. The company also owns properties in Washington State, such as the Owen Roe Winery in the Yakima Valley, which produces wines reflecting the unique terroir of the region.

Vintage Wine Estates takes pride in its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. They implement sustainable practices in their vineyards, including water conservation, soil health management, and biodiversity preservation. The company’s goal is to create a positive impact on the environment while producing exceptional wines.

The company has an extremely low market cap at $53 million, and should therefore be considered extremely speculative. The company has been generating negative earnings, although it does have a very favorable price to sales ratio of 0.18 and is selling at 26% of book value.

Willamette Valley Vineyards (WVVI) is a prominent winery located in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Founded in 1983 by Jim Bernau, the company has become known for its exceptional wines and commitment to sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices. Willamette Valley Vineyards focuses primarily on producing cool-climate varietals, with a particular emphasis on Pinot Noir.

The winery owns and operates several estate vineyards, strategically located in various sub-appellations within the Willamette Valley. These vineyards benefit from the region’s unique climate, which is characterized by cool temperatures, maritime influences, and diverse soils. Willamette Valley Vineyards’ winemaking philosophy revolves around showcasing the distinct terroir of each vineyard site, allowing the grapes to fully express their character and complexity.

Sustainability is at the core of Willamette Valley Vineyards’ operations. The company has achieved certification as both LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) and Salmon-Safe, demonstrating their commitment to environmentally conscious practices. They utilize renewable energy sources, employ natural pest control methods, implement water conservation measures, and actively support biodiversity in their vineyards.

In addition to their sustainable practices, Willamette Valley Vineyards takes pride in its customer-focused approach. The winery offers a range of tasting experiences and events, including vineyard tours, wine education programs, and a wine club for enthusiasts. They strive to provide visitors with a welcoming and educational environment that enhances their appreciation for Oregon wines.

Over the years, Willamette Valley Vineyards has received numerous accolades and critical acclaim for its wines. Their commitment to quality winemaking, sustainable practices, and their contribution to the Oregon wine industry has earned them a reputation as a leading producer in the region.

This is another extremely speculative low market cap stock at $29 million. The company has been generating negative earnings. The price sales ratio is 0.80 and the price to book is 0.95.

A safer way to invest would be to look at some of the larger companies, such as Brown Forman (BF-B) and Constellation Brands (STZ), which produce wine as a small part of their business.

Disclosure: Author didn’t own any of the above at the time it was written.

Wine May Reduce Diabetes Risk: Top Wine Stocks

by Fred Fuld III

According to research presented at a recent American Heart Association conference, consuming wine may reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes. It helps with glucose metabolism, especially when consumed during meals. Over 300,000 people were studied over the last ten years.

For investors, there are ways to participate in the wine industry without having to buy your own winery. Some of the big companies, such as Brown Forman (BF-B) and Constellation Brands (STZ), produce wine as a small part of their business.

But there are more pure plays. Here are some examples.

Willamette Valley Vineyards (WVVI), with a very low $50 million market capitalization, produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Rose, Methode Champenoise Brut, and Riesling branded wines. The stock trades at 36 times earnings. Earnings per share growth this year is 53.5%.

The Duckhorn Portfolio (NAPA), with a $2.2 billion market cap, is a Saint Helena, California winery that produces various brands of wine including Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy, Kosta Browne, Goldeneye, Paraduxx, Calera, Migration, Canvasback, Greenwing, and Postmark. The stock has a trailing price to earnings ratio 38.5 and a forward P/E ratio of 27. Earnings per share growth this year is 86%.

Vintage Wine Estates (VWE), based in Incline Village, Nevada, produces various wines including Laetitia Vineyard and Winery, Swanson Vineyards, Kunde Family Winery, Viansa, and B.R. Cohn Winery brands. The stock has a market cap of $568 million. The stock has a sky high trailing P/E ratio of 92.5, but fortunately has a very reasonable forward P/E of 18.8. Earnings per share growth this year is 128%.

These full bodied stocks have a nice sweetness with the possibility of an excellent finish.

Disclosure: Author didn’t own any of the above at the time it was written.

Top Performing Stock Motifs Up over 30% (like mini ETFs)

by Fred Fuld III

Motifs are similar to Exchange Traded Funds, but any investor can create them. An investor can choose the stocks they want for the Motif portfolio, or even better, the investor can invest in the Motifs created by others for a low commission rate. I have created many motifs that are available for anyone to invest in, a few of which are up over 100% since inception.

Here are some of the motifs I created and the returns since inception (created about a couple years ago). You will notice that some are up over 100%.

Anti-Crime Stocks +37.0%

Liquid Biopsy Stocks +227.9%

Stem Cell Stocks +344.0%

Firearms Stocks +12.9%

Gisele Bundchen Stocks +41.1%

Water Desalination +36.7%

Drone Stocks +53.3%

Cuba Stocks +23.1%

Puerto Rico Stocks +88.3% (in spite of the hurricane)

Marijuana Cannabis Stocks +81.3%

Horse Race Stocks +74.1%

Cosmetic Surgery Stocks +168.8%

Beer Stocks +29.2%

Wine and Liquor Stocks +22.5%

Virtual Reality Stocks Over $5  +25.5%

Virtual & Augmented Reality Stocks +56.3%%

If you are searching for specific industries to invest in, Motifs might be the way to go.

My Top Performing Stock Motifs: Some Up Over 100%

by Fred Fuld III

Motifs are like Exchange Traded Funds, except they can be created by anyone. Investors gets to choose which stocks they want to put in the portfolio, or better yet, they can invest in the Motifs created by others for a low commission. I created several motifs that are available for anyone to invest in, a few of which are up over 100% since inception.

Here are some of the motifs I created and the returns since inception (created less than two years ago):

Bitcoin, Blockchain, and Cryptocurrency Stocks +15.3%

Anti-Crime Stocks +38.8%

Liquid Biopsy Stocks +90.6% (created just a little over a year ago)

Stem Cell Stocks +100.5% (up 48.3% just in the last 12 months)

Firearms Stocks +26.6%

Gisele Bundchen Stocks +22.6%

Water Desalination +13.6%

Drone Stocks +53.9%

Cuba Stocks +26.1%

Puerto Rico Stocks +49.4% (one-year return in spite of the hurricane)

Marijuana Cannabis Stocks +82.5%

Horse Race Stocks +188.7% (top performing)

Cosmetic Surgery Stocks +141.0% (second best performing, up 56.1% just in the last 12months)

Beer Stocks +26.5%

Wine and Liquor Stocks +22.4%

Virtual Reality Stocks Over $5  +79.8%

Virtual & Augmented Reality Stocks +74.0%%

So if you are looking for a targeted way of investing, Motifs may be the way to go.

Drink Booze, Live Longer, Make Money with Wine & Alcohol Stocks

Here it is. The news you’ve been waiting for. Wondering if having that glass of wine or liquor after work or with dinner is healthy for you? Fortunately for you, scientists at UC Irvine have found that drinking alcohol is better than exercise for living a long life into the 90s.

Over 1,600 participants were involved in the study, with ages ranging from 90 to 99. Researchers found that those who drank two glasses of alcohol or wine a day reduced the chance of an early death by 18%.

So what’s an investor to do in order to have a healthy and long-lived portfolio? Many investors look to stocks of companies involve in the production and sale of alcoholic beverages.

Constellation Brands Inc (STZ), founded in 1945, is a California based company with such brands as Robert Mondavi, Clos du Bois, Ravenswood, Black Velvet, and Canadian Whiskey. The stock trades at 22.9 times forward earnings and pays a dividend of slightly less than one percent.

Diageo (DEO), founded in 1997, is based in the UK. It’s brands include Blossom Hill, Sterling Vineyards, Beaulieu Vineyard, Navarro Correas, Acacia Vineyard, Rosenblum Cellars, Piat d’Or, Chalone Vineyard, and Santa Rita. The stock has a forward price to earnings ratio of 18.9 and offers a generous yield of 2.6%.

For a list of other wine and liquor stocks, go  HERE.

By the way, if you are in your nineties and want to participate in the study,  contact 949.768.3635 or study90@uci.edu for more information.

The Stock Motifs that are Up Over 20%

If you are not familiar with motifs, they are similar to Exchange Traded Funds, except they are created by investors. You get to pick and choose which stocks you want to put in the portfolio. You can invest in the motif and others can invest in your motifs also. I created several motifs that are available for anyone to invest in, many of which are up over 20%.

Here are some of the motifs I created last year and the returns to date:

Liquid Biopsy Stocks +13.1%

Gisele Bundchen Stocks +15%

Drone Stocks +37%

Cuba Stocks +31.5%

Marijuana Cannabis Stocks +21%

Horse Race Stocks +129.7%

Beer Stocks +12.9%

Wine and Liquor Stocks +20.5%

Virtual Reality Stocks Over $5  +48.7%

Virtual & Augmented Reality Stocks +38.4%

By the way, if you are looking for a bitcoin motif, I just created one a couple days ago and it is already up 1.1%.

Would You Put Whiskey in Your Gas Tank?

It may be hard to believe but cars can now run on whiskey, in addition to gasoline and diesel, according to a BBC article. Actually, it is whiskey residue from the whiskey making process called biobutanol. And the best feature is that the automobile engine doesn’t have to be modified.

But it is not just cars consuming liquor; humans seem to do a bit of consuming themselves. Last year, the sale of alcohol was $25.2 billion in the US, a 4.5% increase over the previous year, and the seventh yearly increase in a row.

Relax and Lose Weight

With money flowing into the coffers of liquor producers, some investors are taking a close look at companies in the alcohol industry. Studies have shown that liquor may help you lose weight, will help relax you (obviously), and might even cure blindness. Investors who believe that booze stocks can benefit from these alcohol health benefits, have several choices to choose from.

Jack Daniel’s

Brown-Forman Corporation (BF-B) is a liquor distributor which is famous for its Jack Daniel’s and Southern Comfort brands. The stock has a price-to-earnings ratio of 28, a forward P/E of 26, and provides a fair yield of 1.48%.

 Johnnie Walker

Diageo (DEO) is a London based alcoholic beverage distributor that markets numerous brands of whiskey, including Johnnie Walker Scotch whiskey, Crown Royal Canadian whiskey, JeB Scotch whisky, Buchanan’s Scotch whiskey, Windsor Premier Scotch whiskey, and Bushmills Irish whiskey. It also sells vodka, rum, and wine. The stock trades at 24 times trailing earnings, and 20 times forward earnings. It sports a higher-than-industry-average yield of 2.5%.

How to Invest in Donald Trump

Did you know that you can invest in a stock that developed and distributes Trump Super Premium Vodka? The company is Drinks Americas (DKAM), a Connecticut based company that trades Over the Counter on the Pink Sheets, and last traded for one hundredth of a cent. The vodka received four out of five stars by Spirit Journal. Unfortunately for potential tasters, the beverage is no longer sold in the US.

For a free list of stocks in the liquor and wine industry, click on the following link:

Wine & Liquor Stocks

Disclosure: Author did not own any of the above stocks at the time the article was written.