[BND] Your Beverage Briefing --

Good Morning and Happy Tuesday, April 28, 2026

WSWA Sees Industry 'Finding Its Footing'

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America admits that spending on wine and spirits has declined 5% to 6% from a year earlier. It even acknowledges "that may sound concerning at first glance." But don't worry – that decline represents stability, it says. 

Home Distillery Ban Appears Headed to High Court

That's because two different appeals courts – the Fifth Circuit and the Sixth Circuit – have issued different rulings. The first to rule, the Fifth Circuit, struck down the ban on home distilleries. But on April 21, the Sixth Circuit went in the opposite direction, upholding the 1868 federal law banning home alcohol distilleries.

Bev/Al Continues Decline, But Prepared Cocktails Steady

There's good news and bad news this week from NIQ. The good news: Dollar sales were flat in both the April 18 week ended period and the prior, April 11, period. That's it. Now, here's the bad news: During the four weeks ended April 18, dollar sales were $8.18 billion, down 2.9% from a year-earlier, and case volume declined 3.3% vs. a year-earlier to 157.2 million cases.

Heineken Sales Up 2.5%, Volume Up 2.8%

While we were off last week, Heineken N.V. reported total first quarter volume grew 2.8% and net revenue grew 2.5%. It gained or held share in around 60% of its markets, the company said.

SGWS to Rep Edrington's in NY State

 Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits said it will distribute Edrington products in New York State, effective June 1. Southern Glazer’s currently represents Edrington’s portfolio in California, Nevada, and Tennessee.

Columbia Distributing Set to Buy RNDC W&S Rights in Oregon, Washington

Columbia Distributing and Republic National Distributing Co.y (RNDC) said they agreed on proposed terms for Columbia to acquire certain wine and spirits distribution rights in Oregon and Washington, along with an asset arrangement in Alaska that would support a potential expansion of its Pacific Northwest footprint. Terms weren't disclosed.

Ernie Dosio, Vineyard Owner, Dies in Elephant Stampede

Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old Lodi-area vineyard owner, industry leader, and big-game hunter, was killed last Friday while hunting yellow-backed duiker antelope in Gabon’s Lope-Okanda rainforest.

Bulk wine sales pick up in Pacific Northwest

After five long years, bulk wine sales in the Pacific Northwest are starting to pick up, Sean P. Sullivan reports in the Pacific Northwest Wine Report. He cites Adam Schulz, owner of Incredible Bulk Wine Co, in Pasco, Wash., who says: “We’re starting to see some signs of life that have been missing the past couple years.”

Pleasant Valley Wine Co. Up for Sale for $4.9 Million

Pleasant Valley Wine Co. the oldest continuously operated winery in New York State's Finger Lakes region has closed and is up for sale. It first opened in 1860, had 600 acres and produced 500,000 cases of wine a year. Listing price: $4.9 million. 

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