For years, New York alcohol brands that wanted to say “a portion of proceeds supports…” on their labels ran into a wall at the New York State Liquor Authority (“NYSLA” or “SLA”). That has now changed.
On October
Lindsey A. Zahn
On Reserve is a blog authored by Lindsey A. Zahn, focusing on legal issues in the alcohol beverage industry. It covers regulatory developments, compliance challenges, and market trends affecting producers, importers, distributors, and brands in the wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverage sectors. Topics include federal and state regulations, labeling requirements, direct-to-consumer shipping laws, enforcement actions, and industry-specific legal cases. The blog also addresses emerging areas such as non-alcoholic products, e-commerce, advertising compliance, and the impact of government actions on the alcohol market. It serves as a resource for legal insights and practical guidance related to alcohol beverage law and regulatory compliance.
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Latest from Lindsey A. Zahn
The MHW Mark Podcast: The Surprisingly Non-Straightforward World of Non-Alcoholic Beverage Compliance
The low- and non-alcohol beverage categories continue to evolve, creating new opportunities for brands—and a growing number of regulatory questions.
I recently joined Jimmy Moreland and Brigid McCabe on The MHW Mark Podcast to discuss the legal and regulatory considerations…
Is Robinson-Patman Back? What the Southern Glazer’s Settlement Means for the Wine Industry
For decades, the Robinson-Patman Act has been something of a sleeping giant in U.S. competition law. Enacted in 1936 to address concerns that large retail chains were receiving preferential pricing that put smaller businesses at a competitive disadvantage, the law…
Non-Alcoholic Beverage Compliance: Not as Straightforward as You’d Think
I recently joined MHW for Episode 57 of their podcast, “The Surprisingly Non-Straightforward World of Non-Alcoholic Beverage Compliance.”
In the episode, we discuss why non-alcoholic wine, beer, and spirit alternatives can be trickier to navigate than their alcoholic counterparts.…
Can Cider, Mead, and Fruit Wine Use Vintage Dates? A Lawsuit Challenges TTB’s Labeling Rules
For wineries and other producers, a vintage date can communicate important information about a product’s agricultural origins. Wine consumers are accustomed to seeing a year on a bottle and understanding it as an indication of the year in which the…
2026 Mid-Year Wine Law Update: Five Legal Developments Every Winery and Wine Brand Should Be Watching
The wine industry continues to navigate a rapidly evolving legal and regulatory landscape. In addition to changing consumer preferences and economic pressures, wineries, importers, distributors, and wine brands must stay informed about developments that may affect their operations, labeling,…
TTB Recommends Delaying Submission of 2026 Q1 CBMA Importer Refund Claims
Due to a known data transmission issue between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”), certain first quarter 2026 import data displayed in the myTTB CBMA Importer Claims System may reflect…
Lindsey Zahn on the Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast: Legal Essentials Every Wine Brand and Winery Should Know
In Episode 295: “Wine Law Essentials: Contracts, TTB, Social Media & More,” we dive into some of the most common legal pitfalls that wine brands and wineries encounter and how to avoid them. We covered the critical importance of well-crafted…
New York Expands Opportunities for Craft Beverage Producers with New Law
According to MidHudson News, New York State has taken a major step to support craft beverage entrepreneurs with the recent signing of legislation creating an alcohol brand owner’s license. This new law allows brand owners who do not produce…
2025 Year in Review: Key Legal Trends in the Alcohol Beverage Industry
As 2025 comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on the key legal trends shaping the alcohol beverage industry this year. From regulatory updates to emerging market shifts, the past twelve months have underscored the importance of…