Craft Distillers Battle for Direct Shipping | Oakland News

Oakland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 19, 2026 · 1m

California’s craft distillers are racing against time as a pandemic-era lifeline—direct-to-consumer shipping—is set to expire at year’s end. This critical policy, repeatedly extended by lawmakers, has kept small distilleries afloat during shutdowns, preventing mass layoffs and preserving their businesses. Now, advocates push for permanent legalization, arguing it’s essential for survival and growth. But wine industry opponents demand size-based restrictions be lifted before they’ll support expansion. With the legislative session winding down, distillers are lobbying hard—and some are already…