It wasn’t until late Sunday, March 26 that First Citizens Bancorp (FCNCA) agreed to purchase most of SVB, including its wine division at a discount price. The wine platform has been the dominant lender in Napa and Sonoma for three decades, so the bank shutdown caused consternation in the wine country.
For consideration at its upcoming Advocacy Group meeting on May 17, the Craft Wine Association (CWA) has released a draft of the National Direct Shipping Bill of Rights for wine industry consideration.
When the Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that a state may not allow its own wineries to ship wine to residents in the state, but ban out-of-state wineries from doing the same thing it brought about a sea change in how wine was distributed in the U.S., particularly by small wineries. It was the result of a good strategy that was paid for primarily by California wineries. It’s for this reason, among others, that California should change its own discriminatory laws where wine distribution is concerned.
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has announced a webinar on May 10, 2023, to discuss the expansion of California's Beverage Container Recycling Program to include wine and distilled spirits. This comes after Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1013 (SB1013, Atkins, Chapter 610, Statutes of 2022) into law on September 27, 2022, effective January 1, 2023.
The Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of the U.S., the nation's official export credit agency whose mission is to support American job creation, prosperity, and security through exporting, will give an hour-long presentation on ways for small and medium-sized wineries to reach international markets. Registration is now open for the June 28 online session hosted by the Craft Wine Association. There is no charge to attend.
After a rebound year, the wine industry is returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to the annual Direct to Consumer Wine Shipping Report, a collaboration between Sovos ShipCompliant and Wines Vines Analytics. A record $4.2 billion in wine shipments were made in 2021.
In March 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom's administration authorized California distilleries and breweries to ship directly to customers (DTC) as a measure to help craft producers survive during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the lifeline stops at the end of 2021.
Governor Newsom approved Senate Bill (SB) 19, which authorizes a licensed winegrower or brandy manufacturer to operate up to two off-site tasting rooms under its winegrower license. The bill was proposed by State Senator Steven Glazer.
Wine Vines Analytics/Sovos ShipCompliant reported that total winery direct-to-customer (DTC) shipment value reached more than $359 million, a 15 percent increase from September 2020.
Governor Newsom approved Senate Bill (SB) 389 on October 8, proposed by Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa), allowing establishments that already sell alcohol to offer premade cocktails for pick up through December 31, 2026.
Craft Wine Association
1121 L Street, Suite 700
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 672-0854