Blog
The story of direct-to-consumer beer shipping in 2026 reveals a familiar but contradictory reality: consumer demand and spending intent remain strong, yet regulatory progress continues to lag behind. Key Takeaways from the 2026 DtC Beer Report The 2026 Direct-to-Consumer Beer Shipping Report highlights a widening gap between what consumers want and what current regulations allow. For breweries, retailers, and policymakers alike, this gap represents both a major […]
By Andrew Adams, Editor, WineBusiness Analytics The pandemic surge in DtC wine shipments temporarily obscured a structural change that is now hard to ignore. The story is told in a chart from this year’s annual report on winery direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipments depicting the change in value and volume of shipments of wines priced more than $100 and less than $40. These two price tiers at opposite ends […]
Key Highlights: 2025 saw major changes to DtC alcohol shipping laws, especially for wine Mississippi and Delaware opened new markets but with restrictive provisions Several states are expected to revisit flawed or incomplete legislation in 2026 Spirits and beer DtC shipping laws continue to expand Consumer demand remains strong, putting pressure on states to remove […]
Key highlights: Napa DtC wine shipping eked out an overperformance of the DtC wine shipping channel, which saw nearly universal declines Average bottle price (ABP) climbed to nearly $100, driven by resilient premium buyers Napa was the only region to grow shipment value year-over-year Chardonnay emerged as a standout growth opportunity in the county Tasting […]
Can Alcohol Importers Legally Ship Direct-to-Consumer? The beverage alcohol industry operates under complex rules, which vary by state. While importers are part of the “supplier” tier—similar to wineries, distilleries, and breweries—they are treated differently under federal and state regulations. This distinction is especially notable when it comes to direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping. Currently, 48 […]
Key Highlights Three states—Arkansas, Mississippi, and Delaware—passed new DtC wine shipping laws. Maine extended its container redemption program to DtC shipments. California introduced a Granholm-compliant DtC shipping law for distilled spirits. 2025 was the 20-year anniversary of the Granholm v. Heald Supreme Court ruling. As 2025 winds to a close, we at Sovos ShipCompliant […]
Effective January 2026, California is fully opening its doors to direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping of distilled spirits. Until recently, only distillers located within California were permitted to ship spirits directly to residents. This policy originated after the widespread shutdowns in 2020, which prompted temporary measures to support local businesses. The law allowing in-state direct-to-consumer shipping was […]
On October 3, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1246 into law, making California the latest—and largest—state to enable consumers to receive direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipments of distilled spirits beverages. This landmark legislation marks a major advancement for California DtC spirits shipping, opening new opportunities for producers and consumers alike and reshaping the landscape of California alcohol […]
The U.S. wine industry has spent decades building a thriving direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping channel that’s now worth nearly $4 billion annually. Spirits, on the other hand, are still stuck at the starting line. The 2025 Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report, co-published by Sovos ShipCompliant and the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), reveals just how wide the […]
The direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping channel has seen a continuation of the trajectory tracked in the January release of the Sovos ShipCompliant/WineBusiness Analytics Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report, with the channel experiencing a dip in volume and value. This year’s review of the DtC market at the mid-year digs into those numbers, trends by average bottle […]
On August 15, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed HB 187, a bill that establishes direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping privileges in the state. While the addition of another state to the DtC wine shipping map is usually a cause for celebration at Sovos ShipCompliant, there are many reasons to take exception to this bill. Examining the […]
Direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping has evolved significantly over the past two decades, from a niche service to a cornerstone of many wineries’ sales strategies. In 2025, two long-restricted states, Arkansas and Mississippi, passed new DtC wine shipping laws that significantly expand access for consumers and open new markets for producers. The changes outlined in HB […]
As wine lovers raise a glass to celebrate National White Wine Day on August 4, we’re taking a look at how white wines—particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc—have performed in the direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping channel over the past three years. While the DtC market has faced economic pressure and shifting consumer behavior, these two white varietals […]
The “Shutdown Fairness Act,” signed in November 2025 to end the government shutdown, included a provision banning the sale of most hemp-based THC products. Going forward, under federal law, hemp-derived products cannot have a THC content greater than 0.4 mg. It is expected that this action will severely diminish–if not outright eliminate–much of the existing […]
For 20 years, the Sovos ShipCompliant Wine Summit has been about gathering winery professionals with the authorities and leaders who make the industry move. At this year’s Wine Summit, attendees heard directly from the regulators, attorneys and brand leaders shaping the future of the wine industry. As economic pressures, shifting consumer preferences and more tasting […]
Key Highlights: Importers must be licensed by the TTB. Every imported product requires compliant labeling and COLA approvals. Importers are responsible for excise taxes and accurate recordkeeping. Within the three-tier system that governs how alcohol is sold and distributed within the United States, importers are considered a type of supplier. As such, they are […]
Effective July 1, 2025, all direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipments of wine into Maine must comply with the state’s beverage container redemption program, better known as a “bottle bill.” While wine bottles sold in Maine retail stores have long been subject to these provisions, the state is extending the program to include DtC shipments from out-of-state […]
