Blog

Preparing for Changing DtC Wine Shipping Market Regulations in 2024

With 2024 just around the corner, it’s necessary to review upcoming regulations that are set to impact wineries and other producers in the direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping market in the coming year. Everything from California’s new bottle bill to Alaska DtC shipping updates were discussed in a recent webinar featuring Jeff Carroll, VP of partners […]

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How the Beverage Alcohol Industry Prioritizes DEI Initiatives

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have quickly become staples for numerous businesses across industries. The beverage alcohol industry is also demonstrating that these efforts are as core to their company successes as lobbying and member education. We’ve gathered a handful of examples of DEI programs that our partners have implemented, showcasing how ensuring a […]

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Federal Court Rejects Washington’s Attempt to Dismiss DtC Lawsuit

In late October, the District Court of Eastern Washington rejected an effort by the state to dismiss a lawsuit challenging its prohibition on direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping of spirits by out-of-state producers. While the case remains open before the court, the full-throated denial of the motion to dismiss was notable for what it signals about how […]

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Consumers with Buying Power Want DtC Beer Shipping

Direct-to-consumer (DtC) beer shipping has remained out of reach for beer enthusiasts who crave the convenience of having their favorite brews delivered right to their doorstep. The demand for DtC beer shipping is palpable, but the supply is disappointingly scarce, with only 10 states and D.C. allowing beer to be shipped to its residents. A […]

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Is Artificial Intelligence the Right Mixer for Beverage Alcohol?

It’s hard to avoid headlines discussing artificial intelligence (AI) these days, whether it’s how ChatGPT is being used in court cases or how teachers must learn to spot computer-generated essays. But how could this technology impact the beverage alcohol industry? Is AI already being used, and if so, how? Let’s see how AI is currently […]

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2nd Annual DtC Spirits Shipping Report Sees Rise in Consumer Demand

Sovos ShipCompliant recently released its second annual Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report, in partnership with the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA). In just its second year, the report shows consumer demand for DtC spirits shipping is on the rise, with 87% of regular craft spirits drinkers saying they want to be able to legally purchase craft […]

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Wineries and Distilleries Must Register for the CA Bottle Bill Now

On January 1, 2024, wines and spirits sold in California will become subject to the state’s Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, or bottle bill. As the effective date draws near, wineries and distilleries selling in California need to prepare themselves for the new requirements. (Beer and low-ABV mixed drinks were already part of the Act.) […]

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2023 Beverage Alcohol Summit Takeaways

The two-day 2023 Sovos ShipCompliant Beverage Alcohol Summit virtual event included a wide variety of speakers covering topics that affect every level of the industry. Some of the highlights from the event are presented below. Actionable DEI Strategies for Growth Dr. J Jackson-Beckham, of Brewers Association, shared five strategies to build diversity, equity, inclusion and […]

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How Can Women-Led Beverage Alcohol Companies Change the Industry?

The beverage alcohol industry might no longer be strictly viewed as a “boys’ club,” but there are a minority of women leading organizations in the space. However, the number of women-led wineries, breweries and distilleries is on the rise, which – as we’ll explain – is likely a very positive thing for the industry. Let’s […]

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Potential Government Shutdown Will Affect Beverage Alcohol Industry

Unless Congress is able to pass an appropriations bill in the next few days, the U.S. government is set to shut down all nonessential services effective October 1, 2023. This will include (among many other agencies) the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), which will impact the beverage alcohol industry. If the shutdown […]

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Prevent Consumer Confusion Around Hard Versions of Soft Drinks

A trend of the last few years has been the surge in new products entering the beverage alcohol market, from hard seltzers to RTD cocktails, along with the entry of well-established, traditionally non-alcoholic brands, like Hard Mountain Dew and Simply Spiked. While the growth of hard soft drinks is great for consumers, who benefit from […]

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How Evolving Consumer Demand is Changing the DtC Wine Industry

There may only be two certainties in life, but consumer preferences are still undoubtedly going to evolve over time. This is definitely true in the direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine industry. Whether consumers are pushing for greater sustainability, increased transparency through a brand’s marketing or want something else entirely, wineries must work to incorporate that into their […]

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Oregon, Iowa Litigation Signals Interest in More Self-Distribution

While the wave of litigation to remove legal barriers to retailer direct-to-consumer (DtC) keeps crashing against the breakwaters of district courts, a recent ripple in the courts may signal a potential shift in rules around self-distribution, which could have deep effects on the industry in the years to come. First, the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis […]

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How Do Online Wine Marketplaces Do It?

Online wine marketplaces are a way for consumers to purchase many of their favorite brands with a few clicks, and often enjoy discounted or included shipping to boot. But state regulators are starting to take note of their shipping practices. States like Ohio are arguing that these web shops are not only depriving the state […]

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Why Don’t States Trust Each Other’s Three-Tier Systems?

The District Court for Arizona recently ruled against a Florida retail shop in the latest in an ongoing series of lawsuits that seek to address the right of alcohol retailers to engage in interstate direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping. The Florida retailer in this case, which was joined by two Arizona wine collectors, argued against an Arizona […]

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What Small Wineries Should Look for in a DtC Compliance Solution

Congratulations, your winery has grown to a point where shipping under someone else’s license has become too great of a risk, and you’ve decided to search for a direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping compliance partner. There are choices in the marketplace, so how do you know which company to work with? As you conduct your due diligence […]

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Wines and Spirits Will Soon be Subject to California’s Bottle Bill

Effective January 1, 2024, wine and spirits products will be subject to the California Beverage Container Recycling Program (BCRP). This change follows the passage of SB 1013 in September last year and reflects efforts by the state to help manage and reduce waste from beverage containers by extending the BCRP to a class of products […]

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Not All the Grapes Are Freed Just Yet

By Jeff Carroll, WineDirect   Wineries in the United States can ship to 97% of the U.S. population for direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping, right? Not exactly. Most people think of states as either open to direct shipping or closed, but the reality is more nuanced. Although 47 states, representing 97% of the population, allow some form of […]

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