BW eNews Four

Ypsilanti, MI-based beer distributor O&W is collaborating with local Griffin Claw Brewing Company to develop a limited-edition Session IPA for the upcoming Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF). A2SF will...

Altamura Distilleries, producer of vodka distilled entirely from 100% Altamura durum wheat, recently announced an expansion of its U.S. footprint with the appointment of new distribution partners across five states. The brand will also be expanding retail availability at 33 Total Wine & More locations across New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Tennessee, Florida and Texas from April 2026.

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits announced that Served Up, its beverage and hospitality podcast, has added Eric Hemer, senior vice president of product education, as co-host alongside longtime host Bridget Albert, sr. director of external communications.

California-based low-ABV beer brand Beer Girl announced a series of major growth milestones, including expansion into key U.S. markets, the launch of nationwide online shipping and the addition of a new industry leader to its advisory board.

Willamette Valley Vineyards is making significant changes to its distribution in major states on the East Coast, including aligning its distribution in New York State and the Mid-Atlantic region with Republic National Distributing Company as well as distribution in Pennsylvania with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits.

The Zero Proof, an online retailer and distributor of alcohol-free beverages, announced a national retail launch with Target, bringing a curated selection of zero proof wines and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails to Target stores nationwide.

For the first time last year, the wine and spirits industry experienced double-digit declines in two consecutive months (October and November), underscoring the pressure building across the system. While three-month trends were partially impacted by one fewer shipping day in November, the underlying softness in demand remains difficult to ignore.

Altamura Distilleries just announced a wide-ranging partnership with Eataly North America, set to begin this month. The collaboration brings Altamura Distilleries Vodka into twelve of Eataly USA’s locations, integrating the brand across retail shelves, restaurant bars, in‑store tastings and online platforms.

In a first for the scotch whisky industry, a new trial with Bacardi is exploring whether advanced robotics, such as robot dogs, could help identify small but potentially expensive ethanol leaks in aging warehouses.

As we wrap up our annual Distributor Best Practices, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits stood out in the Best Transportation Innovation category.