Michigan-based boutique wine brand brings its signature Gewürztraminer and curated tasting experiences to Illinois, DC, Maryland, and California Traverse City, MI and SAN JOSE, CA — April 9, 2026 — BeOnePassion, a Michigan-based boutique wine brand known for its vibrant Gewürztraminer and experience-driven approach to wine, today announced it has selected LibDib as its distribution partner to expand into four new markets: Illinois, Washington, DC, Maryland, and California, alongside its home market of Michigan. This expansion marks a significant milestone for BeOnePassion as it introduces its wines to a broader audience of buyers and consumers who value premium wines as part of a social, curated lifestyle experience where storytelling, aesthetics, and connection are as important as what’s in the glass. At the center of the launch is BeOnePassion’s signature Gewürztraminer, produced in Michigan’s renowned Old Mission Peninsula. The wine

There are multiple paths to get started in wine sales. By Karen M. Wetzel As a wine industry career coach, I find that wine sales roles are highly desired. But given the differences between supplier and distributor sales positions, it can be hard to determine which might be best for you. Before we look at specifics, here’s a quick review of how alcoholic beverages are brought to market in the United States through the government’s three-tier system. Supplier Sales All wine sales originate with the supplier at the top of the three-tier system. A supplier may own or represent a single winery, such as Truchard or Fortunati Vineyards, or might be an expansive corporation with multiple brands, such as Gallo or Treasury Wine Estates. Regardless of scale, suppliers are responsible for selling their products to distributors across the country.   To achieve market success, suppliers employ sales directors or managers to oversee specific states or regions. Their primary responsi

Meet Honorary Chief Judge, Jennifer J.B. Kelly! As a wine and spirits executive, certified sommelier, entrepreneur, and wine judge with 15+ years of industry experience, Jennifer J.B. Kelly is perfectly poised to lend her experience to the Sunset International Wine Competition as Honorary Chief Judge. Jennifer has represented some of the world’s most prominent wine and spirits organizations working with both domestic and international portfolios. Jennifer is an aspiring Master of Wine who is currently enrolled in the WSET certification program to earn her diploma. Meet the Other Judges Winemakers • Sommeliers • Buyers • Wine Journalists Professional Wine Judges • Wine Educators Entry Fee: $99 Early bird pricing until May 8 Enter the Competition

Afternoon Brief: What Do Neo-Prohibitionists Really Want?

Organizations that advocate for more stringent policies around the sale and marketing of alcohol are gaining momentum. What does this mean for the beverage industry?...

Afternoon Brief: Class Action Says Alberstons, Safeway Wine 'Member Price' Sales Are False

A proposed class action lawsuit accuses Albertsons Companies of deceptively employing fake strikethrough reference prices for wine, misleading consumers into thinking they are getting a bargain...

June 3, 2024 – Erica Harrop, Founder and CEO of Global Package, is thrilled to announce the addition of her son, Daniel, to the Global Package sales team. “Needless to say, Daniel has been immersed in the wine and spirits industry since childhood, and I am so happy he wanted to continue that interest as a professional,” says Harrop. Daniel graduated from Sonoma State in May 2021 with a B.A. in Business Administration and a concentration in Wine Business Strategies, including a WSET certification, bestowed by The Wine & Spirit Education Trust, which is a global organization that arranges courses and exams in the fields of wine, spirits, beer, and sake. Upon graduation, Daniel worked for Advantage Solutions Marketing Partners as Business Development Representative for Anheuser-Busch LLC, where he introduced and grew their new Seltzer brands and Cutwater Cocktails, overseeing all facets of these launches. According to Daniel, “that experience cemented my a

I know the rent is in arrears The dog has not been fed in years It’s even worse than it appears But it’s alright… …We will survive While Jerry Garcia may have sung it nearly 40 years ago, it bears repeating. The news is full of doom and gloom for our beloved industry, but, as always, we will survive. Let’s look for the silver lining and the touch of grey in the headlines. First, visitation is up, down, or flat, depending on the source. At WISE, we work with many partners, but we appreciate what Community Benchmarks brings as a partner because the program offers the broadest view of a region. Given that the platform is POS agnostic, and the sheer number of wineries reporting (over 500 wineries), we look to their data for the weathervane. Let’s compare the last two “normal” years – 2019 and 2023. By doing this, we minimize the noise that was 2020-2022. We will look at data provided by Community Benchmarks for Visitation, C