Source: BofA/Merrill Lynch 4Q19 earnings preview – 040119) via John Heflebower, Napa   “STZ’s wine & spirits margins improved post STZ divestiture of Canadian wine assets. In addition, operating margins have benefited from on-going premiumization efforts (i.e. rationalizing lower margin value SKUs), COGS has increased due to transportation costs and higher marketing spend on brands […]

Thirstie has integrated its services with brand-oriented websites that take orders from consumers. The orders are then sent to Thirstie for the “last mile” of on-demand delivery. This differs from on-demand services Drizly (#3/$69.56 Mil) and Minibar (#23/$6.8 Mil) which operate their own apps that accept orders directly from consumers then deliver using purchases from […]

Milwaukee-based Bright Cellars announced a $8.5 million Series A round last week, bringing their funding total to at least $13.46 million. That total moves them into #17 in Wine Industry Insight’s WineTech Finding series. That funding, led by AOL co-founder Steve Case’s D.C.-based Revolution Ventures, put Bright ahead of Saucey and knocked Wine Communications Group […]

Au Contraire says these labels are not similar. Teeter-Totter says, “Au contraire!” And a federal court case ensues In one corner, the plaintiff: Teeter-Totter LLC, small Napa Valley winery owned by vintner Benoit Touquette whose wines have received outstanding 90+ ratings from Parker, Galloni, Cellar Tracker and other fine wine critics since his first vintage […]

This is part 1 pf a 2-part premium double feature. The second article is on the Wine Executive News main menu:  “BeatBox bests Saucey, moves into #16 position in Wine Tech fundings with $15.87 million.” It’s fun, cheap, tasty/fruity, quaffable, intoxicating and all dressed up to party! Especially for the younger demographic that segues toward […]

This is part 2 of a 2-part premium double feature. The first article is at: Leading Millennials to wine? Sell the fun and don’t call it wine! But will BeatBox go the way of wine coolers and Annie Greensprings?   Beatbox makes a wine-based fruit beverage with 11.1% ABV. Its 5-liter box contains the equivalent […]

Premium Wine Executive News subscribers can obtain the working Excel file of the data below by logging in to: THIS LINK. NOTE: There may actually be another $3 million from some other source as reported by Wine Business. However, that cannot be confirmed yet through USDA or other public information sources at this time (9:38 […]

NOTE: Links are only available to Federal Court PACER users 19-30089 – Pacific Gas and Electric Company Case type: bk Chapter: 11 Asset: Yes Vol: v Judge: Dennis Montali Date filed: 01/29/2019 Date of last filing: 01/29/2019 History Doc. No. Dates Description Filed & Entered: 01/29/2019 Receipt Docket Text: Receipt of filing fee for Voluntary […]

The total venture investment in the top 48 U.S.-based wine companies has hit at least $924.4 million. I say “at least” because these are just the numbers I can confirm. The industry’s propensity to hide every investment like a dog buries a bone means that the total is most likely greater than $1 billion. Top […]