[BND] Kane's Beverage News Daily

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Signorello Estate Files for Bankruptcy Protection 9 Years After Wildfire

Signorelllo Estate, a Napa Valley winery that was destroyed by the Atlas Fire nine years ago, has filed for Bankruptcy Act protection just two years after it opened a new winery. American AgCredit, Signorello's lender, moved to foreclose on the winery’s land, buildings, equipment and the right to use the Signorello Estate name, citing $37 million in debt.

Ironstone Vineyards Owner Buys Brands

The Kautz family, which owns Ironstone Vineyards, has bought a collection of wines from Allan Lombardi, owner of Thomas Allen Winery. Terms weren't disclosed. The brands include Thomas Allen, Hook or Crook Cellars, Provenance Vineyards, Fortitude by Provenance, Red Phoenix, Samuel Lindsay Wines, Landing 63, Weekday Wines and the canned vodka cocktails brand Weekday Water. “With our vineyard holdings and our production capacity bringing in a new portfolio with recognised brands will help us gr

Late-Summer Alcohol Appetite Stays Muted as Momentum Holds Flat: NIQ

Alcohol sales remain under pressure as value-seeking consumers reshape state performance, NIQ reports. Prepared Cocktails, which had powered the Spirits category through much of the summer, has been negative for three consecutive weeks. Just a bit negative – in the latest week easing just 0.9%, according to NIQ – but still negative. Beer has now led industry declines for three consecutive weeks, increasing each week. Wine and Spirits show smaller losses but remain far from positive territory,

How a Winery Worker Started a Wildfire that Lasted 17 Days, Wrecked Vintages

On Aug. 21, 2025, Juan Luis Gutierrez Marfil disposed of some hot ashes into a burn pile. The resulting Pockett wildfire lasted 17 days, destroyed one home and four outbuildings. A number of winegrape growers abandoned their vintages owing to smoke taint they blamed on the fire. Total damage was estimated at $56 million plus $1.7 million for other agricultural commodities and farm structures.

When It Comes to Getting Paid After a Wildfire, It Helps to Know the Governor

More than 30 small wineries and vineyard owners say they suffered damages in the Pickett fire allegedly started by Juan Luis Gutierrez Marfil and are seeking to recover about $90 million they say they lost. So far, only one wine company has received compensation from Hundred Acre and its owner, Jayson Woodbridge, for whom Marfil worked – PlumpJack Corp., co-founded by Gov. Gavin Newsom. . . .

Bayou Rum Names Crescent Crown Distributing Its Louisiana Partner

Louisiana Spirits LLC, the distillery behind Bayou Rum, appointed Crescent Crown Distributing as its distribution partner in Louisiana. First shipments went out Monday (8/31). It's the first step in a wider U.S. rebuild for the brand. Bayou is in talks with distributors across a number of Southern states, with further markets to follow through the fall.

RNDC Shedding Leases as It Moves Into Asset Wind Down

Republic National Distributing Co. is seeking court approval to reject additional unexpired leases and to abandon related personal property as it continues a process that began shortly after it filed for Bankruptcy Act protection in July. Where buyers can be found, RNDC is seeking to sell its operations. Where they can't be found, it is simply winding down operations in those markets. In its initial bankruptcy declaration, the company said it lost suppliers representing more than $3 billion . . . .

Grey Goose Vodka's U.S. Open Serve

Grey Goose vodka returns to the US Open for its 20th year, continuing one of the longest-running spirits partnerships in sports that has made the Grey Goose Honey Deuce signature cocktail one of the tournament's most recognizable rituals. For 2026, the brand will extend the tournament experience beyond the stadium through the return of The Last Serve Bar at Grand Central Terminal and, separately, a new partnership with basketball star Josh Hart, fresh off a championship win.

Google Updates Alcohol Advertising Policy; New Rules Effective Sept. 30

Google said it will replace its current advertising policy with a new policy that revises the irresponsible alcohol advertising policy. Under the revised policy, advertising must not promote the excessive use of alcohol or imply that alcohol is necessary for a successful or healthy lifestyle. Specifically: Ads must not mislead consumers about the nature and strength of the drink or unduly emphasize high alcohol strength.

Women for WineSense Launches Evidence-Based Wine & Health Resource

Women For WineSense (WWS), the national organization for wine education and networking, launched its new Wine and Health educational resource. Developed by National Director of Education Tessa Butterfield in collaboration with retired physician Dr. Edward J. Miller, the comprehensive series provides clear, evidence-based answers to the public’s most frequently asked questions about wine and wellness. The resource was created to address widespread misinformation and encourage more informed conv

Tom Wark Suspends The Spill

Tom Wark said he was suspending publication of The Spill, a free daily email with a curated, scannable list of wine news, videos, podcasts and more

What I'm Reading --

Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow. – Joel