Award-Winning New York Distillery Brings Distinctive Bourbons, Whiskeys, and Specialty Spirits to California Retailers and Restaurants Fairport, NY, and San Jose, CA, June 15, 2026 —Iron Smoke Distillery, the acclaimed New York-based producer of award-winning bourbons and whiskeys, today announced an expanded partnership with LibDib, the web-based wholesale alcohol distributor, making its full portfolio available to licensed California retailers, restaurants, and bars through online ordering at Iron Smoke and LibDib. The expansion provides California buyers with convenient access to Iron Smoke's distinctive lineup of premium spirits while supporting the company's continued growth in one of the nation's most influential beverage markets. "At Iron Smoke, we've always been committed to delivering an exceptional experience, whether that's through the quality of our products or the way customers discover and access them," said Tommy Brunett, CEO and Chief Trailblazer of Iron Smoke Distiller

This time of year, every sales opportunity matters. And one of the easiest ways to lose momentum is to make buying feel harder than it should. Maybe it looks like: a checkout that takes too long a club process that still takes manual work an online store that feels limited a team chasing answers that should already be clear It adds up. A simple tip for this week: Pick one place where selling feels clunky and test it yourself. For example: join your own club buy from your own online store on your phone pull up a customer account at checkout If it feels slower or harder than it should, that is the friction costing you sales. The strongest systems do more than process transactions. They make it easier to grow. With Activ8 Commerce, wineries and distilleries get POS, club, eCommerce, and customer data connected in one system — helping teams drive stronger DTC revenue, stay organized, and deliver a better customer experience across every channel. And for businesses ready to elevate o

The Organic Winegrowing Conference brings together growers, researchers, vineyard managers, wineries, and industry leaders for a day of practical learning and forward-looking conversation focused on the future of organic viticulture. Through keynote discussions and peer exchange, the conference explores the implementation of organic farming across diverse vineyard systems. The event creates space to examine emerging practices, challenge assumptions, and strengthen understanding of how organic winegrowing can support resilient vineyards, healthy ecosystems, and the long-term viability of the wine industry. Register Here. Agenda: 9:00am | Registration 9:30am | Welcome 9:40am | The Future of Organic Winegrowing Across Regions and Markets, Steve Matthiasson & Jason Haas A candid conversation between two respected organic producers farming in distinctly different environments. Topics include how organic systems operate across climates, vineyard models, and market segments, with pra

If you came to the 2026 Wine Sales Symposium hoping for an economist to deliver good news about wine consumption, Chris Bitter wasn't your guy. Bitter, a wine economist with Terrain - the economic and market research arm of American AgCredit - opened his session with a prediction attendees didn't want to hear: wine consumption is going to continue declining for the foreseeable future. But he also delivered a more hopeful message. The premium and luxury segments are holding up considerably better than the broader market, and wineries willing to adapt to a changing consumer still have real opportunities to win. A Smaller Share of a Smaller Pie Bitter walked attendees through the two challenges defining the current moment. First, fewer Americans are drinking, and those who do drink are drinking less. Second, wine is losing share to other categories within alcohol itself. The result, in his words, is "a smaller share of a smaller pie." The decline isn't temporary. After decades of growth,

Manage tipped staff, seasonal workers, and strict compliance in one HR platform built for the beverage industry. Tap into efficiency with our easy-to-use human capital management software. Brewed with your business in mind, streamline employee scheduling and payroll, reduce labor costs, and stay inspection-ready year-round with a true all-in-one platform. HCM Software Built for Highly Regulated Industries Running a brewery means balancing production, quality, and a workforce that runs around the clock. The right solution simplifies your operations, not adds to the complexity. Würk helps you easily find, onboard, and retain employees, centralize records and certifications, and keep labor costs optimal, in one seamless experience Würk smarter, brew better. Key Features and Benefits: Save Time Automate hiring, onboarding, and scheduling processes even during peak seasons Empower employees with a self-service mobile app to access pay stubs, timesheets, swap shifts, and more Eliminate m

The games are far apart and the ticket prices astronomical, so while the United States gets to play co-host with Canada and Mexico to this summer’s FIFA World Cup, most of us will be watching the matches from home. Four years ago, 1.5 billion people watched the final between Argentina and France. This time should be poised to bring in even more viewers.  This year’s tournament will involve 48 teams from around the globe, the largest ever number to compete, growing from what used to be 32. That means lots of games to take in, with 12 groupings of 4 countries each kicking things off on June 11 for what is known as the Group Stage.  The United States is in Group D and will play each team in its group to qualify for the Knockout Stage. It plays Paraguay June 12 in Los Angeles; Australia June 19 in Seattle; and Turkey June 26 in Los Angeles.  Eventually, that 48 number goes down to 32 – the Knockouts start June 28. The pace quickens from there, with that Round of 32 dwindling

Warmer winters, longer growing seasons and shifting vector ranges are changing the disease landscape in California vineyards. Pierce’s Disease pressure has historically been lower in the North Coast, aided in part by cold winter temperatures. Climate trends, however, may alter that risk profile as Pierce’s Disease adapts. Are there opportunities to curtail this trend? This session will share recent PD/GWSS Board-funded research on Pierce’s Disease ecology and potential control strategies. Growers will leave with a clear understanding of how area-wide programs protect premium vineyards and what today’s research means for vineyard resilience over the next decade. The Glassy-winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) is an invasive insect that acts as the primary and most aggressive vector for Pierce’s Disease, and resources will be shared in the session for growers to stay updated on the evolving issue of Grapevines sold at Costco which contained GWSS.

Suppliers may find Maryland’s retail market more attractive as the state begins loosening some regulatory limits. Suppliers can now do more with multipack/gift packs and are subject to increased advertising item allowances (like point-of-sale displays) and a 100% increase in on-premise promotional spending. Stay on top of critical pricing, trade practice, and licensing updates with the Wine and Spirits Law Digest! Contact us for a demo and pricing at Digest@WineandSpiritsLaw.com or visit us at WineandSpiritsLaw.com  

The 2026 Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) Wine Report is live. This year's data reveals a widening gap between those pulling ahead and those falling further behind. Top wineries grew revenue by 22%; bottom declined by 13%. Wineries win when they compete on value.  Growth-minded wineries take the brand to the consumer. Read the report here.