Good Morning, and Happy Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Columbia Distributing to Acquire Point Blank Distributing

Columbia Distributing agreed to acquire Point Blank Distributing, a respected Oregon craft-focused distributor

LVMH W&S Sales Fall 9%, Operating Profit Plunges 25%

Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy reports sales for its wine and spirits business declined 9% in 2025 to 5.358 billion euros (roughly $6.420 billion US). On an organic basis, LVMH's sales fell 5%, it said. Wine & Spirits profit from recurring operations plunged 25% 

Johnson Brothers to Rep St. Supéry in 5 More States

Johnson Brothers said it expanded its relationship with St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery into five additional markets.

Johnson Brothers Adds 2 States to Folio Footprint

Oxford Street Merchants, the luxury division of Johnson Brothers, said it added Indiana and Hawaii to its distribution partnership with Folio Fine Wine Partners, effective Feb. 1.

Delicato Said to Leave RNDC for Johnson, BreakThru

Delicato Family Wines is said to be expanding its relationships with Johnson Brothers and Breakthru Beverage Group. RNDC is the loser in this reshuffle.

Higher Lifetime Alc Drinking Linked to Greater Colorectal Cancer Risk

Current drinkers with an average lifetime intake of more than 14 drinks per week have a 25% greater risk of developing colorectal cancer and a 95% higher risk of developing rectal cancer compared with drinkers with an average lifetime alcohol intake of less than one drink a week. 

Absolut, Tabasco Brand Launch Spicy Vodka

Now available in the U.S. and rolling out across 50+ markets worldwide, Absolut Tabasco comes from two iconic industry leaders who are redefining flavor. 

State Line Distillery Launches a Smoked Gin

Smoked gin is emerging as a significant subcategory within craft spirits, and State Line Distillery positions itself at the forefront of the trend with the Feb. 1 release of its Lapsang Smoked Gin.

Bud Light's Super Bowl Giveaway

This weekend, fans of the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are being invited to visit their home team's stadium for a chance to win a keg's worth of beer or a grand prize of two Super Bowl LX tickets. 

Peroni Nastro Azzurro: New Campaign, Gold Bottles

Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the No. 1 Italian beer brand, announced a new lifestyle campaign, "Here For The Nastro Azzurro" with Emmy Award-winning Italian-American chef, author and TV personality, Giada De Laurentiis, and limited-edition gold bottles for fans just in time for the most celebrated time for winter sports.

Tablas Creek Names New Winemaking Leaders

Tablas Creek Vineyard said it promoted Chelsea Franchi to Director of Winemaking from assistant winemaker and Craig Hamm to Winemaker. Longtime Winemaker Neil Collins will step into the role of Director of Production

Jennifer Dieckmann Promoted to Sonoma Winegrowers Exec Director

Sonoma County Winegrowers names Jennifer Dieckmann, the organization’s chief operating officer, has been named executive director, taking over day-to-day operations from chief executive officer Karissa Kruse, who will remain CEO.

Fed Holds Rates Steady

You can expect the Federal Reserve to make two more 1/4-point cuts in interest rates, ING says, noting that it left monetary policy unchanged in a range between 3.5% and 3.75%.

KLG PR Reps Blue Chair Bay Rum, Bear Fight Whiskey

KLG PR said it now represents Blue Chair Bay Rum and Bear Fight Whiskey.

NABCA Legal Symposium March 15-17

The National Alcohol Beverage Control Association's 33rd annual symposium of alcohol beverage law and regulation will begin Sunday, March 15 and end in the afternoon of March 17.

How Businesses Thrive Through Generations

Linfield University’s Center for Wine Education presents Built to Last: How Businesses Thrive Through Generations, a conversation with iconic company representatives to examine how they remain relevant and resilient amid shifting markets and evolving consumer expectations. 

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