Southern Glazer’s to pay $12.5 million over alleged California alcohol bribery scheme // Heat of 2026 Champagne harvest forces rule-change for region

The nation’s largest alcohol distributor has agreed to pay $12.5 million to resolve a federal investigation into years of alleged bribery and false invoicing tied to wine sales in California supermarkets, federal prosecutors said Thursday. 

Such was the extreme heat and dryness in Champagne this year, the winemaking rules of the region have been changed.

Lighter yields: Grape activity picks up cautiously

The Advocacy Group for the California Wine Industry

After dramatically reshaping its wine and spirits portfolio over the past few years, Constellation’s top executives say the company is now well outperforming the category, led by brands like Mi Campo, The Prisoner, Kim Crawford, and Ruffino.

Drew Baker of Old Westminster Winery and Burnt Hill Farm is dedicated to farming with an eye toward the health of of his land, his family, and his wines.

Facing persistent downturns in wine consumption, Judd’s Hill Winery announced it is shutting down its Napa Valley operations but will keep producing wine on a reduced scale under the existing brand.

Mark Ryan is closing its Walla Walla tasting room at the end of September. The winery will continue to have a tasting room in Woodinville.

There have been additional briefs filed in response to the request of Ohio to have Supreme Court review of its loss at the 6th Circuit. 

Wine shipping legislative updates for wineries: DE's unworkable new shipping law, ME's stalled EPR program, and OR's EPR court ruling.

A paper published yesterday details an in-depth study of the 38 Nebbiolo wine ferments from three subregions, demonstrating a strong effect of microbial terroir even with cultured yeast additions

A 2026 harvest report: how a warm Feb-March pushed early budbreak and limited fruitfulness. Then a cold April caused shatter, all making for a light crop this year.

The Lucas Fire quickly grew in size Thursday, prompting evacuations while crews battled smaller wildfires across Northern California.

A new AI-powered bushfire detection camera has been activated at Mount Crawford in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges, an area adjoining the Adelaide Hills and Barossa wine regions, ahead of the 2026-27 fire danger season.

Every year, Impact salutes the most promising smaller brands across the wine, spirits, and RTD categories with its “Hot Prospect” awards. This year, a total of 70 brands earned Hot Prospect accolades, with each showing stellar results despite the challenges.

The current fashion favors refreshment over richness.

Winery executives and commercial leaders, wine producers, distributors, and retailers, consumer product and beverage...

Three hotel giants. Three different marketing strategies. One big lesson for wineries and wine tourism managers competing for the same guest's attention.