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With the signature of Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders, Arkansas is set to enact House Bill 1476—ushering in long-awaited reforms to its direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping laws. Until now, Arkansas only allowed DtC wine shipments when the consumer was physically present at the winery’s premises at the time of purchase, severely limiting the ability of Arkansas consumers […]

From groceries to clothing, consumers expect convenience—and that includes how they purchase alcohol. While direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping is widely available for wine, beer lags far behind, with legal shipping allowed in only 11 states and Washington, D.C. On National Beer Day, there’s no better time to highlight why beer trails behind in DtC access and […]

Believe it or not, there’s more to life than beer. There’s wine, spirits, cider, kombucha, hard seltzers—even non-alcoholic products. But just because a brewery has mastered beer does not mean it’s ready to begin making and selling other types of alcoholic beverages. When a brewery moves to expand its offerings and enter new markets, new […]

Craft beer drinkers want more choices. Brewers want more opportunities. And yet, legal barriers still stand in the way of direct-to-consumer (DtC) beer shipping. The 2025 Direct-to-Consumer Beer Shipping Report, produced by Sovos ShipCompliant in partnership with the Brewers Association, reveals how consumer demand, regulatory restrictions and potential revenue opportunities continue to shape the DtC […]

The 2025 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report offers more than just data—it provides valuable insights into the trends shaping the industry and the factors driving change. To delve deeper into these findings, industry experts Andrew Adams from WineBusiness Analytics and Alex Koral from Sovos ShipCompliant joined forces in a recent webinar, unpacking the key takeaways. Their […]

In a shockingly quick turn of events, the Mississippi governor has signed a bill that will enable the direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping of wine, making it the 48th state to grant its residents greater access to the national wine market.   The bill, SB 2145, is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, which should mean […]

In the fall of 2024, New York became the latest state to open its doors to direct-to-consumer (DtC) spirits shipping, marking a significant milestone for the industry. As one of the most populous states with a thriving market for craft and high-end spirits, the shift was expected to create substantial new opportunities for distilleries nationwide. […]

By Tom Wark, Executive Director, National Association of Wine Retailers We are often reminded by the media and those in the wine industry—as well as by wine enthusiasts—that the three-tier system of alcohol distribution in most states hinders consumer access to the expansive number of wines available in this country. Some would argue that the […]

The direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping channel faced a storm of challenges in 2024, navigating some of the toughest market conditions in over a decade. As inflation tightened wallets and consumer behaviors shifted, the industry recorded its steepest declines in shipment volume and value since the inception of the Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report in 2010. The […]

Learn why Tennessee’s Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TNABC) is cracking down on ‘agent of the consumer’ sales for DtC wine shippers. The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TNABC) recently sent a notice to licensed direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shippers indicating that shipping as an “agent of the consumer” is a violation of the state’s laws. This practice, also […]

When no one is home to sign for an alcohol delivery, it becomes more than just a minor hiccup for direct-to-consumer (DtC) alcohol shippers. It’s a domino effect that transforms a perfectly curated product into a customer’s disappointment before it’s ever opened. This becomes an even higher stakes challenge for products like wine that are […]

California’s bottle bill got a major upgrade earlier this year, and it’s changed the rules for wineries, distilleries and beverage distributors in a big way. For the first time, wine and spirits manufacturers will need to register with CalRecycle, report sales and pay California Redemption Value (CRV) fees for containers sold or shipped to California. […]

Although hard to believe, unclaimed property obligations impact ALL industries, including wineries and other wine clubs. While most companies typically only associate unclaimed property with outstanding checks, including accounts payable and payroll, there are other exposures for wineries and wine clubs to consider. Understanding these risks and the requirements for property reporting is critical for […]

Direct-to-consumer (DtC) alcohol shippers are no strangers to navigating a complex regulatory landscape. However, recently, a new challenge has emerged—the rise of retail delivery fees. From excise taxes to shipping restrictions, the industry has long dealt with a maze of state-specific rules that require careful attention and precise compliance.   Read on to explore how RDFs […]

When engaging in direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping of alcohol, compliance with different state laws is paramount and so keeping up with law changes is critical. In 2024, the rules in several states for DtC have already been adjusted or will change soon. Here is a review of the major rule changes DtC shippers should be aware […]

While wine lovers have enjoyed the convenience of direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping for nearly two decades, the craft spirits market is still not afforded the same access. Outdated and restrictive spirits shipping laws have kept the spirits industry from fully leveraging the benefits of DtC shipping, leaving both consumers and distillers unable to enjoy its full […]

The direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping channel has seen a continuation of movement tracked in the January release of the Sovos ShipCompliant/Wine Business Analytics Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report, with the top destination states experiencing a dip in volume and value.  The latest data for the U.S. wine DtC shipping market reveals shipment data trending downward. Nationwide, […]

As craft distillers work to grow their business and market presence, they must contend with innumerable challenges, not least of which is simply being able to access consumers across the country due to restrictive state laws. To help relieve these headwinds, industry groups along with consumer advocacy organizations have taken to supporting efforts to expand […]