G. Trout

Tied House: Pillar of Alcohol Regulation

There are several different ways to transfer a wine business to new ownership, and different reasons to do it — some of which unplanned, like death and divorce. This article helps you understand the options in advance.

The Tao of Compliance

Alcoholic beverage compliance is a complex world; and a good compliance person must respect not just the laws of the land, but also the more subtle laws that govern human interactions.

The Rules of the Winery Name Game

Two important choices a new winery owner or brand builder makes are what to call his business and what to call his product. It’s easy to lose big if you don’t play by the rules of the name game.

The No No-Way: How to Win with Bureaucracy

There’s a fine art to getting a “yes” from a government regulator — and you too can do it, if you follow the principles and guidelines given in this article.

The Fine Art of Asking Questions

It’s virtually impossible to know everything about the regulations for wine. Asking the right questions is key to find out what you need to know.

Shiners: A Primer on Unlabeled Wine

Bottles that come off the bottling line without labels, aka shiners, need extra compliance care to avoid regulatory violations. And the penalties for slipping can be painful.