[BND] Your Breakfast Briefing

Good Morning and Happy Thursday, May 28, 2026

Winery Sues Santa Barbara County Over Marketing Push

Norm Yost and Kate Griffith, proprietors of Flying Goat Cellars, in Santa Barbara, Calif., want nothing to do with the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association (SBCVA). But in February 2025, they say in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court, the county passed an ordinance requiring all wineries "to become involuntary members of, and pay a 1% assessment to" SBCVA. It did this by creating a wine Business Improvement District. So they sued.

Carlsberg Research Unlocks Genetic Code of Hops, May Protect Beer as World Warms

Climate change is putting increased pressure on hop production. In key growing regions, rising temperatures, prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather are affecting both the yield and the quality of the hops harvested. Now, the Carlsberg Research Laboratory (CRL) has taken a major step to help address that challenge. CRL scientists have produced the most detailed genetic map of hops to date, giving researchers an unprecedented view of the crop’s genetic complexity

Is Cannabis Riskier than Alcohol?

While the World Health Organization's claim – echoed by some antialcohol zealots – that one drink of alcohol will give you cancer, what about cannabis? How much cannabis is too much? That topic has been examined recently by both The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

Historic Old Fitzgerald Bottlings from Max Shapira's Personal Collection Set for Auction

Michter's to Release 10 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye

“At tastings, we occasionally encounter bourbon drinkers who are reluctant to taste rye because of past experiences,” observed Michter’s President Joseph J. Magliocco. “We explain that Michter’s makes Kentucky style rye that is different from many other American ryes. More often than not, those bourbon drinkers discover that they really enjoy our rye.”

Wente Family Estates Taps SGWS for 4 States

Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits will distribute Wente Family Estates products in four new states – New York, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Wente noted the addition of New York means Wente is now aligned with SGWS in the top five wine markets in the U.S.

Good Twin No. 1 Organic Non-Alc Wine Brand

Good Twin has become the #1 ranked organic non-alcoholic wine brand in the United States based on dollar share, according to Nielsen.

Grgich Hills Estate Marks the Judgment of Paris, Intros the Paris ’76 Chardonnay

 Grgich Hills Estate, the iconic Napa Valley winery celebrated for its historic role in elevating California wines to global recognition, proudly unveils their 2023 Paris’ 76 single-vineyard and old-vine Chardonnay. Joyfully created in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Judgment of Paris, in which the triumphant wine was crafted by Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, the Paris ’76 builds on a legacy deeply woven into the foundation of the estate, reenvisioning that history for a new generation.

How RNDC's Collapse Caused the Sale of an SF Bay Area Low-ABV Star

Sales of Memmenpop had doubled in two years, and the citrusy vermouth, most often used in spritzers, was in 85 Food Stores across California. Then Republic National Distributing Co. began to collapse, Southern slashed overhead dedicaated to selling Mommenpop. The result: Samantha Sheehan, founder, went looking for a distributor partner but sold to Total Beverage Solutions, a beer distributor who has diversified into wine and spirits.

American Wine Truth in Labeling Act Advances in California

Wine labeled “American” and sold or bottled in California would need to be made entirely from American-grown grapes under a bill passed 67-0 California State Assembly. It now goes to the California State Senate.  Sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) and Family Winemakers of California (FWC), AB 1585 would establish a truth-in-labeling standard to improve transparency for consumers and reinforce the integrity of American wine labeling.  

$80,000 A-B Grant to Test Innovative Farming Solutions

Anheuser-Busch announced an $80,000 grant to Grand Farm to develop and test innovative farming solutions.

Garrard County Distilling Ordered Auctioned for $27.9 Million in Debt

Gerrard County Distilling Co., Lancaster, Ky., is to be auctioned within 90 days to satisfy (hopefully) a $27.9 million judgment arising from unpaid loans, interest and related fees. The judgment was secured by Tom Collins Distillery, a company tied to Sazerac. Tom Collins acquired the debt associated with the propery earlier this year.

Stoller Wine Adds Sales Staff

Recent additions to Stoller Wine Group's national accounts team include Chris Stevens as senior director of national accounts, Patrick Brown as director of sales – central region, and Marisa Sebastianelli as director of sales – northeast and mid-Atlantic regions.

Hope Family Names Matt Dusi VP-Business Operations

Hope Family Wines today named Matt Dusi as VP- Business Operations, a new position responsible for overseeing and optimizing the daily operations, administrative functions and new opportunities of the Paso Robles winery. 

Bronco Wine Co. Names Anna Mosier as Chief Financial & Strategy Officer

Family-owned Bronco Wine Co. announces the appointment of Anna Mosier as Chief Financial & Strategy Officer, effective May 11. This strategic hire marks another step in Bronco’s ongoing evolution, reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence, differentiated growth, and long-term resilience.

Bacardi Rum Names Darnell Holguin National Brand Ambassador

Bacardi Rum named acclaimed bartender and mixologist Darnell Holguin as its new National Brand Ambassador. In the role, Holguin will lead cocktail education, cultural storytelling, trade engagement, and consumer programming nationwide for the brand.  

Thanks for reading. I'll be back tomorrow.

Joel Whitaker, Editor