Why Winc is Acquiring Natural Merchants
Winc, Inc. the digitally native wine retailer, is purchasing Natural Merchants, a purveyor of natural, organic, and biodynamic wines.
Natural Merchants was founded in 2004 by husband-and-wife Edward Field and Pilar Meroño. In announcing the deal, Winc said the acquisition reinforces its dedication to sustainability and organics and enhances the company’s ability to offer so-called natural wines.
“Natural Merchants is a pioneer and thought leader in the natural and organic wine space,” Winc VP of Corporate Development and Innovation Alex Goodwin told
Wine Business Monthly. “They have developed a reputation for excellence in that space, and an extensive set of relationships with key suppliers around the world. That s really the crux of the acquisition.
Ohio Concludes 21st Amendment Enforcement Act Litigation
The district court has approved the final consent order in the 21st Amendment Enforcement Act lawsuit brought by the state of Ohio against various wine sellers. As explained in the joint motion requesting approval of the consent order filed by Ohio and defendant Wine.com, the defendant has agreed to open to comply with Ohio law including creating a physical presence in the state. The joint motion notes:
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The Ohio Revised Code establishes a Division of Liquor Control and a system of permits to ensure that all persons profiting
from the sale of liquor to Ohioans do so in compliance with the law, including various health and safety considerations embodied in the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code. See generally Ohio Rev. Code Chapters 4301 and 4303. Each unlawful shipment of wine into Ohio