For wine producers and distributors, understanding the regulations in each new market is critical for success. The Digest of Wine and Spirits Law is the most useful resource for understanding the compliance requirements for each state. The Digest is a comprehensive on-line reference that provides expert regulatory guidance in plain English. Here are three key reasons why the wine industry swears by this indispensable tool: 1. Clear and Concise Legal Guidance Navigating the regulatory landscape can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to alcohol laws. The Digest of Wine and Spirits Law offers a straightforward and up-to-date understanding of the ever-changing laws that affect wine distribution and marketing. The Digest provides industry members with the clarity they need to avoid costly mistakes. 2. Stay Updated on Industry Changes Laws frequently change and staying current is essential. The Digest is updated regularly, allowing subscribers to stay informed about new regulatory de

Three states have added fulfillment house requirements for DTC shippers this year, bringing the total number of states with these requirements to sixteen. The requirements vary. Some states have established licenses or registrations for fulfillment houses; others require specific reports and/or records from the services; another group simply requires DTC shippers to inform them what fulfillment service they use. Here are the new requirements for Maine, Nevada and Wisconsin for DTC shippers: A new law in Maine requires fulfillment providers to register each address from which they ship with the ME Bureau of Alcohol Beverages and Lottery Operations (BABLO). The law also mandates quarterly reporting of wine shipments by direct shippers, fulfillment providers, and common carriers beginning January 1, 2025. The agency only recently began accepting registration applications when its new online licensing system BELLS went live on October 28. Going forward, wineries shipping to consumers in Ma

Struggling with TTB and CA ABC licensing? Our interactive workshop is here to help! Dive into the complexities of compliance and turn them into your strength. Here’s what you’ll learn: Demystify Regulations Accurate Documentation Licensing Navigation Stay Compliant Adapt to Changes Friday, Dec. 6 from 8am to 4pm at the Wine Business Institute Sonoma State University Learn more and register here 

There’s good news for alcoholic beverage suppliers shipping to Maine wholesalers or consumers who have been struggling with the state’s ownership disclosure requirements. The Maine legislature has passed LD 2069, a bill amending a provision in the state’s licensing law that has been a problem for suppliers as well as the regulators charged with enforcing the requirements. Early in 2023 Maine’s alcohol regulatory agency re-interpreted the state’s licensing law and began requiring 100% disclosure of a company’s ownership before approving a new license or renewing an existing one. Personal data had to be provided for every owner, in the entire ownership chain, no matter how small their interest. Some companies found it impossible to comply with this stricter interpretation and were unable to renew their ME licenses. They have been able to continue shipping to their Maine customers only by periodically requesting and obtaining temporary extensions

Alcohol E-Commerce Compliance 101: What to Know to Sell Wine Online (Expert Editorial)

Here is what wineries need to know if they plan to sell wine online for the first time. By Kelly Martin E-commerce wine sales makeup 23% of the total revenue […]

Beverage alcohol suppliers know that it takes teamwork to increase sales and visibility in the marketplace. Wholesalers have an important role to play, but to achieve your goals you need a creative marketing concept and strong sales support in the field. The important question is, how will your sales team tackle that challenge? If your salespeople go beyond simple phone calls and meetings with wholesalers -- if they want to call on retailers and participate in promotional events -- most states will require them to hold a license. The Digest of Wine and Spirits Law has the information you need to know before your sales reps hit the streets. Is a license required, and under what circumstances? What are the requirements to get the license? In some states, residency or an additional company license are required. Digest subscribers can quickly check the need for sales licenses nationwide in the Digest’s Summary by State for Suppliers of Wine and Spirits table, then proceed to select

This 1-day in-person course provides participants with an overview of alcohol beverage laws and regulations, focusing on the complexities and specificities of the California market. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the legal framework governing the alcohol industry, including the role of the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (CAABC). Through interactive discussions and practical examples, participants will learn about licensing requirements, operating models, labeling regulations, and resources available on the TTB and CA ABC websites. Practical Information This in-person workshop will take place at the Wine Spectator Learning Center on the SSU (Sonoma State University) campus in Rohnert Park, CA. The workshop will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Coffee, tea, lunch, network drinks and light apps are complementary as is filtered water (please bring your own bottle).   Register here.

In our continuing series of looking at compliant direct shipping and the focus of regulators, we review the complexities of licensing and the individual rules around each license. Licensing is one of the four focus areas, others include Age-verification, Tax Calculation and Collection, and Auditability. Think of the four areas as ALTA.  Rooted in the fundamentals of Prohibition and the 21st Amendment, licensing and compliance have historically been a central focus to regulators in the alcohol industry. While federal law mandates oversight, the requirements vary greatly state-by-state, some being reasonable and others just false barriers to DTC sales, but they are there, nonetheless. Technology allows for the management of the rules and regulations. In fact, the U.S. Treasury Department recently issued a 64-page report looking into ways to improve competition for small producers by, among other things, making it easier for them to navigate and compete in th