Risk Factors Dashboard
Once a year, publicly traded companies issue a comprehensive report of their business, called a 10-K. A component mandated in the 10-K is the ‘Risk Factors’ section, where companies disclose any major potential risks that they may face. This dashboard highlights all major changes and additions in new 10K reports, allowing investors to quickly identify new potential risks and opportunities.
View risk factors by ticker
Search filings by term
Risk Factors - CWGL
-New additions in green
-Changes in blue
-Hover to see similar sentence in last filing
Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Report.
The Company has a structured risk management process for identifying, reviewing, and assessing material risks from cybersecurity threats. These processes are included in the Company’s overall risk management process, which is overseen by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. As part of the cybersecurity risk management process the Company uses various methods to monitor and evaluate its threat environment and its risk profile. These methods include using manual and automated tools such as vulnerability scanning software; monitoring current and emerging cybersecurity threats; studying reports of threats and threat actors; performing scans of the threat environment; assessing our industry’s risk profile; conducting internal and external audits and assessments; and carrying out threat and vulnerability assessments. To manage and mitigate material risks from cybersecurity threats to its information systems and data, the Company implements and maintains a variety of technical, physical, procedural, and organizational measures. To manage and mitigate material risks from cybersecurity threats to our information systems and data, the Company implements and maintains a variety of technical, physical, procedural, and organizational measures. These measures include access controls for networks, devices, and applications; firewalls and antivirus/antimalware software; management of network and user device configurations; encryption of data; monitoring of networks, devices, applications, and accounts; penetration testing; asset management procedures; risk assessments; incident detection and response plans; vulnerability management processes; business continuity and disaster recovery plans; internal IT controls; and employee cybersecurity awareness training.
The cybersecurity risk management process also includes the evaluation of risks from cybersecurity threats associated with the use of third-party service providers, such as vendors engaged by the Company to provide the IT systems used in its operations. As a part of the overall risk management process, the Company evaluates new vendors for security risks before onboarding and regularly monitors third-party vendor performance to identify potential cybersecurity risks. The Company periodically engages with third-party consultants, legal advisors, and audit firms in evaluating and testing the Company’s risk management processes.
The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors oversees the effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls, including controls designed to identify, mitigate, and assess potentially material cybersecurity threats and incidents. The Audit Committee is informed of the status of the cybersecurity risk management processes by management at least quarterly. The Audit Committee is informed of the status of the cybersecurity risk management processes by management during regular Audit Committee meetings. Reports from management include existing and new cybersecurity risks, status on how management is addressing and/or mitigating those risks, cybersecurity and data privacy incidents (if any), and status on key information security initiatives.
These forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date hereof. Except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to modify or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Report.
11
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Our business is subject to a number of risks. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Report, before you decide whether to purchase our common stock. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. In such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Business, Economic, Market and Operating Risks
The impact of U.S. and worldwide economic trends and financial market conditions could materially and adversely affect our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. We are subject to risks associated with adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and globally, including an economic slowdown or recession, inflation, changes in prevailing interest rates, and the disruption, volatility and tightening of credit and capital markets. Unfavorable global or regional economic conditions could materially and adversely impact our business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. Various factors, including the potential impacts of geopolitical uncertainties and international conflicts, inflationary conditions and fluctuating interest rates, have caused disruptions in the U.S. and global economy, and uncertainty regarding general economic conditions, including concerns about a potential U.S. or global recession, may lead to decreased consumer spending on discretionary items, including wine. In general, positive conditions in the broader economy promote customer spending, while economic weakness generally results in a reduction of customer spending. Unemployment, tax increases, governmental spending cuts, prolonged government shutdowns, or a return to high levels of inflation could affect consumer spending patterns and purchases of our wines and other alcoholic beverage products. Unemployment, tax increases, governmental spending cuts or a return to high levels of inflation could affect consumer spending patterns and purchases of our wines and other alcoholic beverage products. These conditions could also create or worsen credit issues, cash flow issues, access to credit facilities and other financial hardships for us and our suppliers, distributors, accounts and consumers. An inability of our suppliers, distributors and retailers to access liquidity could impact our ability to produce and distribute our wines.
The supply availability and cost increases in raw and processed materials, commodities and labor could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We use a large volume of grapes and other raw materials to produce and package our wine, including glass, corks, barrels, and winemaking additives. We purchase raw materials and packaging materials from domestic and international suppliers. An inability of any of our suppliers to satisfy our requirements could materially and adversely affect our business. Our production facilities also use a significant amount of energy in their operations. Energy costs could continue to rise, which would result in higher transportation, freight and other operating expenses. Our freight cost could be adversely affected by a number of factors that could reduce the profitability of our operations, including driver shortages, higher fuel costs, increased government regulation, and other matters. We compete with other entities for skilled management and labor specific to the wine and hospitality industries, including entities that operate in different market sectors than us. Costs to recruit and retain adequate personnel, increased labor costs, the loss of certain personnel, our inability to attract and retain other qualified personnel or a labor shortage that reduces the pool of qualified candidates could adversely affect our results of operations. Costs to recruit and retain adequate personnel, increased labor costs, the loss of certain 11Table of Contentspersonnel, our inability to attract and retain other qualified personnel or a labor shortage that reduces the pool of qualified candidates could adversely affect our results of operations. Our supply and the price of raw materials, packaging materials and energy and the cost of energy, freight and labor used in our productions and distribution activities could be affected by a number of factors beyond our control, including market demand, climate change, global geopolitical events, economic factors, inflation, and fluctuating interest rates. Our supply and the price of raw materials, packaging materials and energy and the cost of energy, freight and labor used in our productions and distribution activities could be affected by a number of factors beyond our control, including market demand, climate change, global geopolitical events, such as the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, between Israel and Hamas, and between China and Taiwan, economic factors, inflation, and fluctuating interest rates. To the extent any of these factors affect the prices of ingredients or packaging or we are unable to recoup costs through price increases of wines sold, our business, results of operations and financial results could be materially and adversely affected.
Health pandemics, epidemics or contagious diseases have disrupted, and could continue to disrupt, our operations, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Our business could be adversely affected by a widespread outbreak of contagious disease, such as the global pandemic related to COVID-19 and its variants. The effects of outbreaks, pandemics, epidemics or other contagious disease on our business could include disruptions to our operations and restrictions on our employees’ ability to travel in affected regions, as well as temporary closures of our tasting rooms and facilities of our suppliers, customers, or other vendors in our supply chain, which could impact our business, interactions and relationships with our customers, third-party suppliers and contractors, and results of operations. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious disease in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could reduce the demand for our products and likely impact our results of operations.
12
We are dependent on certain key personnel. Our success depends to some degree upon the continued service of Jennifer L. Locke, our Chief Executive Officer; Adam D. Howell, our Chief Financial Officer; Nicolas M.E. Quillé, our Chief Winemaking and Operations Officer; and our winemakers at our various facilities. Quillé, our Chief Operating Officer and Chief Winegrower; and our winemakers at our various facilities. The loss of the services of one or more of our key employees could harm our business and our reputation and negatively impact our profitability, particularly if one or more of our key employees resigns to join a competitor or to form a competing company.
Volatility and increases in the costs of grapes, labor and other necessary supplies or services have negatively impacted, and in the future may negatively impact, the Company’s net earnings and cash flow. We believe cost increases are possible in the future. If such increases occur or exceed the Company’s estimates and the Company is not able to increase the prices of its products or achieve cost savings to offset such increases, its profits and operating results will be harmed. In addition, if the Company increases the prices of its products in response to increases in costs, the Company may not be able to sustain its price increases. Sustained price increases may lead to declines in volume as competitors may not adjust their prices or consumers may decide not to pay the higher prices, which could lead to sales declines and loss of market share.
Various diseases, pests and certain weather conditions could affect quality and quantity of grapes. Various diseases, pests, fungi, viruses, drought, floods, adverse weather conditions (including more frequent and intense heatwaves, frosts, drought and excessive rainfall) could affect the quality and quantity of grapes, decreasing the supply of our products and negatively impacting our operating results. Future government restrictions regarding the use of certain materials used in grape growing may increase vineyard costs and/or reduce production. We cannot guarantee that our grape suppliers will succeed in preventing disease in their existing vineyards or that we will succeed in preventing disease in our existing vineyards or future vineyards we may acquire. For example, Pierce’s disease is a vine bacterial disease spread by insects which kills grapevines for which there is no known cure. If our vineyards become contaminated with this or other diseases, operating results would decline, perhaps significantly.
The lack of sufficient water due to drought conditions or water right restrictions could affect quality and quantity of grapes. The availability of adequate quantities of water for application at the correct time can be vital for grapes to thrive. Whether particular vineyards are experiencing water shortages depends, in large part, on their location. Our California vineyards and wineries are primarily dependent on wells accessing shared aquifers and shared reservoirs as a water source. An extended period of drought across much of California may put pressure on the use and availability of water for agricultural uses and in some cases governmental authorities may have to divert water to other uses. Lack of available water could reduce our grape harvest and access to grapes and adversely impact results of operations. Scarcity of adequate water in our grape growing areas may also result in legal disputes among other land owners and water users causing the Company to expend resources to defend its access to water.
We may not be able to grow or acquire enough quality fruit for our wines. While we believe that we can secure sufficient supplies of grapes from a combination of our own production and from grape supply contracts with independent growers, we cannot be certain that grape supply shortages will not occur. Grape supply shortages resulting from a poor harvest can be caused by a variety of factors outside our control, resulting in reduced product that is available for sale. If revenues decline as a result of inadequate grape supplies, cash flows and profitability would also decline.
We face significant competition which could adversely affect our profitability. The wine industry is intensely competitive and highly fragmented. Our wines compete in several wine markets within the wine industry as a whole with many other domestic and foreign wines. Our wines also compete with comparably priced generic wines and with other alcoholic and, to a lesser degree, non-alcoholic beverages. A result of this intense competition has been, and may continue to be, upward pressure on our selling and promotional expenses. Many of our competitors have greater financial, technical, marketing and public relations resources than we do. There can be no assurance that in the future we will be able to successfully compete with our competitors or that we will not face greater competition from other wineries and beverage manufacturers.
We compete for shelf space in retail stores and for marketing focus by our independent distributors, most of whom carry extensive product portfolios. In accordance with federal and state regulatory requirements, we sell our products nationwide primarily through independent distributors and brokers for resale to retail outlets, restaurants, hotels and private clubs across the U.S. and in some overseas markets. Sales to distributors are expected to continue to represent a substantial portion of our net revenues in the future. During 2025, two distributors represented approximately 22% and 17% of our total net sales, respectively. A change in our relationship with any of our significant distributors could have a material impact on our business and have a material impact on our sales. A change in our relationship with any of our significant distributors could harm our business and reduce our sales. The laws and regulations of several states prohibit changes of distributors, except under certain limited circumstances, making it difficult to terminate a distributor for poor performance without reasonable cause, as defined by applicable statutes and regulations. Any difficulty or inability to replace distributors, poor performance of our major distributors or our inability to collect accounts receivable from our major distributors could have a material impact on our business. There can be no assurance that the distributors and retailers we use will continue to purchase
13
our products or provide our products with adequate levels of promotional support. Consolidation at the retail tier, among club and chain grocery stores in particular, can be expected to heighten competitive pressure to increase marketing and sales spending or constrain or reduce prices.
Contamination of our wines could harm our business. We are subject to certain hazards and product liability risks, such as potential contamination, through tampering or otherwise, of ingredients or products. Contamination of any of our wines could cause us to destroy our wine held in inventory and could cause the need for a product recall, which could significantly damage our reputation for product quality. We maintain insurance against certain of these kinds of risks, and others, under various insurance policies. However, our insurance may not be adequate or may not continue to be available at a price or on terms that are satisfactory to us and this insurance may not be adequate to cover any resulting liability.
A reduction in consumer demand for wines could harm our business. There have been periods in the past in which there were substantial declines in the overall per capita consumption of wine products in our markets. Wine consumption in the United States has experienced a decline over the last several years and declines in future years are possible. Wine consumption in the United States has experienced a decline in 2023 and declines in future years are possible. A limited or general decline in consumption in one or more of our product categories could occur in the future due to a variety of factors, including: a general decline in economic conditions; changes in consumer spending habits and preferences in alcoholic beverage products; increased concern about the health consequences of consuming alcoholic beverage products and about drinking and driving; a trend toward a healthier diet including lighter, lower calorie beverages, such as diet soft drinks, juices and water products; the increased activity of anti-alcohol consumer groups; and increased federal, state or foreign excise and other taxes on alcoholic beverage products. Reductions in demand and revenues would reduce profitability and cash flows.
A decrease in wine score ratings by important rating organizations could have a negative impact on our ability to create greater demand and pricing. Many of Crimson’s brands are issued ratings or scores by local and national wine rating organizations, and higher scores usually translate into greater demand and higher pricing. Although some of Crimson’s brands have been highly rated in the past, and Crimson believes its farming and winemaking activities are of a quality to generate good ratings in the future, Crimson has no control over ratings issued by third parties which may or may not be favorable in the future.
If our intangible assets become impaired, we may be required to record significant charges to earnings.If our intangible assets or goodwill become impaired, we may be required to record significant charges to earnings. We have substantial intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheet as a result of acquisitions we have completed, in particular the acquisition of Seghesio Family Vineyards. We review intangible assets for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that these assets might be impaired. We review intangible assets and goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that these assets might be impaired. Application of impairment tests requires judgment. A significant deterioration in a key estimate or assumption or a less significant deterioration to a combination of assumptions or the sale of a part of a reporting unit could result in an impairment charge in the future, which could have a significant adverse impact on our reported earnings.
We may not be fully insured against risk of catastrophic loss to wineries, production facilities or distribution systems as a result of earthquakes, fires, floods or other events, some of which may be exacerbated by climate change, which may cause us to experience a material financial loss.13Table of ContentsWe may not be fully insured against risk of catastrophic loss to wineries, production facilities or distribution systems as a result of earthquakes, fires, floods or other events, some of which may be exacerbated by climate change, which may cause us to experience a material financial loss. A significant portion of Crimson’s controlled vineyards as well as supplier and inventory storage locations are located in California, which is prone to seismic activity and has recently experienced wildfires and landslides. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number and severity of extreme temperature events and unusual weather patterns, as well as the increase in both the frequency and severity of natural disasters, including earthquakes, fires and floods. If any of these vineyards and facilities were to experience a catastrophic loss as a result, it could disrupt our operations, delay production, shipments and revenue, and result in potentially significant expenses to repair or replace the vineyard or facility. If such a disruption were to occur, we could breach agreements, our reputation could be harmed, and our business and operating results could be adversely affected. Although we carry insurance to cover property damage and business interruption as well as certain production assets in the case of a catastrophic event, certain significant assets are not covered in the case of certain catastrophes as we believe this to be a prudent financial decision. We cannot be certain that we will be able to insure against all risks that we desire to insure economically or that all of our insurers will be financially viable if we make a claim. Increased incidence or severity of natural disasters in recent years has adversely impacted our ability to obtain adequate property, inventory and business interruption insurance at financially viable rates, if at all. We cannot be certain that continuation of these trends or future climate change will not adversely affect our insurance costs and overall insurability. We take steps to minimize the damage that would be caused by a catastrophic event, but there is no certainty that our efforts would prove successful. If one or more significant catastrophic events occurred damaging our own or third party assets and/or services, we could suffer a major financial loss.
14
Our business and reputation could suffer if we are unable to protect our information systems against, or effectively respond to, cybersecurity incidents, or if our information systems are otherwise disrupted. We depend on information technology, including public websites and cloud-based services, for many activities important to our business, including to interface with our customers and consumers, to engage in digital marketing activities, to enable and improve the effectiveness of our operations, to order and manage materials from suppliers, to maintain financial accuracy and efficiency, to comply with regulatory, financial reporting, legal and tax requirements, to collect and store sensitive data and confidential information and to communicate electronically with our employees and the employees of our suppliers and other third parties. If we do not allocate and effectively manage the resources necessary to build and sustain our information technology infrastructure, if we fail to timely identify or appropriately respond to cybersecurity incidents, or if our information systems are damaged, destroyed or shut down (whether as a result of natural disasters, fires (either directly or through smoke damage), power outages, acts of terrorism or other catastrophic events, network outages, software, equipment or telecommunications failures, user errors, or from deliberate cyberattacks such as malicious or disruptive software, denial of service attacks, malicious social engineering, hackers or otherwise), our business could be disrupted and we could, among other things, be subject to: transaction errors; processing inefficiencies; the loss of, or failure to attract, new customers and consumers; the loss of revenues from unauthorized use, acquisition or disclosure of or access to confidential information; the loss of or damage to intellectual property or trade secrets, including the loss or unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, confidential information or other assets; damage to our reputation; litigation; regulatory enforcement actions; violation of data privacy, security or other laws and regulations; and remediation costs. Further, our information systems and the information stored therein, could be compromised by, and we could experience similar adverse consequences due to, unauthorized outside parties intent on accessing or extracting sensitive data or confidential information, corrupting information or disrupting business processes or by inadvertent or intentional actions by our employees or agents. Similar risks exist with respect to the third-party vendors we rely upon for aspects of our information technology support services and administrative functions, including but not limited to payroll processing and health and benefit plan administration.
Despite the systems and processes the Company has in place to monitor, detect, mitigate and remediate potential vulnerabilities, on June 30, 2024, the Company detected a cybersecurity incident in which an unauthorized third party gained access to certain information systems of the Company. Upon detection, the Company promptly initiated response protocols and began taking steps to contain, assess and remediate the cybersecurity incident, including launching an investigation with external cybersecurity experts. Although the Company believes that while the cybersecurity incident has not had a material impact on the Company’s overall financial condition or results of operations, its evaluation and response to this incident are ongoing, and the Company may discover other impacts or new events related to this incident that may occur that could affect the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. As of December 31, 2025, incurred cybersecurity expenses limited to the Company’s insurance deductibles are recorded and reflected within the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the Company believes such amounts are not material. The Company continues to evaluate additional measures to strengthen its surveillance of cybersecurity threats and to prevent unauthorized cybersecurity incidents on or conducted through its information systems and to strengthen its information backup protocols.
Our failure to adequately maintain and protect or otherwise process personal information of our customers or our employees in compliance with evolving legal requirements could have a material adverse effect on our business. We collect, use, store, disclose, transfer and protect (collectively, “process”) personal information, including from employees, customers and potential customers, in connection with the operation of our business. A wide variety of federal, state, local and international laws as well as regulations and industry guidelines apply to the processing of personal information, and may vary between jurisdictions or conflict with other rules. Data protection and privacy laws and regulations are evolving, subject to differing interpretations and being tested in courts and may result in increasing regulatory and public scrutiny and escalating levels of enforcement and sanctions. Such laws and regulations include the California Consumer Protection Act, the California Privacy Rights Act, which took effect on January 1, 2023, and the European Union General Data Protection Regulation. Compliance with applicable privacy and data protection laws and regulations is a rigorous and time-intensive process, and we may be required to put in place additional mechanisms ensuring compliance. Our actual or alleged failure to comply with any applicable privacy and data protection laws and regulations, industry standards or contractual obligations, or to protect such information and data that we process, could result in litigation, regulatory investigations, and enforcement actions against us, including fines, orders, public censure, claims for damages by employees, customers and other affected individuals, public statements against us by consumer advocacy groups, damage to our reputation and competitive position and loss of goodwill (both in relation to existing customers and prospective customers), any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Additionally, if third parties that we work with, such as vendors or developers, violate applicable laws or our policies, such violations may also place personal information at risk and have an adverse effect on our business. Even the perception of privacy concerns, whether valid, may harm our reputation, subject us to regulatory scrutiny and investigations, and inhibit adoption of our wines by existing and potential customers.
15
We may fail to successfully integrate the Raeburn Assets into our existing business in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows, or we may fail to realize all of the expected benefits of the acquisition of the Raeburn Assets, which could negatively impact our future results of operations. Integration of the Raeburn Assets into our existing business will be a complex, time-consuming and potentially costly process. A failure to successfully integrate the Raeburn Assets with our existing business in a timely manner may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The difficulties of combining the Raeburn Assets with our existing operations include, among other things, difficulties in the assimilation of the Raeburn Assets into our operations and the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns. If any of these risks or unanticipated liabilities or costs were to materialize, then any desired benefits of the Raeburn Assets may not be fully realized, if at all, and our future results of operations could be negatively impacted. In addition, the costs to operate the Raeburn Assets may be higher than the forecasts we used to evaluate the Raeburn Assets due to factors that are beyond our control. The useful life of the Raeburn Assets may be shorter than we forecast. If the Raeburn Assets cost more to operate than we had forecast or have shorter useful lives than we used to evaluate the Raeburn Assets, then our future results of operations could be negatively impacted.
Flaws in our due diligence in connection with the Raeburn Assets could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We conducted customary due diligence in connection with the acquisition of the Raeburn Assets prior to closing the Asset Purchase. However, diligence may not reveal all material issues that may affect the Raeburn Assets. In addition, factors outside of our control may later arise. If, during the due diligence process, we failed to identify issues specific to the Raeburn Assets, we may be forced to later write down or write off assets or incur impairment or other charges that could result in other reporting losses. We cannot assure you that we will not have to write-down or impair the Raeburn Assets, which could have a negative effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
The payment of dividends in the future is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors. No dividends have been paid since the Distribution. We do not have a regular dividend policy and whether or not to pay any dividends will be determined each year by our Board of Directors. The payment of dividends will also be subject to the terms and covenants contained in the Company’s revolving credit facility and term loans.
Compliance with changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure may result in additional expenses. Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, create uncertainty for companies such as ours. We are committed to maintaining appropriate corporate governance and public disclosure. As a result, we may see an increase in general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities, which could harm our business prospects.
Regulatory and Legal Risks
We are subject to risks from changes to the trade policies, regulations, and tariffs of the U.S. and foreign governments. Changes in the import and export policies, new or increased tariffs or quotas, or trade restrictions by the U.S. and foreign governments, could have a material adverse effect on our business performance, financial condition, results of operations, and our relationships with customers and suppliers. Any new trade agreements, economic sanctions, or new, expanded or retaliatory tariffs or other measures could result in an increase in the price of our products, could result in boycotts of our products into certain countries, could increase the costs of finished goods and raw materials, could prompt consumers to seek alternative products, and could potentially impact our business, financial condition, or results of operations. The effects of outbreaks, pandemics, epidemics or other contagious disease on our business could include disruptions to our operations and restrictions on our employees’ ability to travel in affected regions, as well as temporary closures of our tasting rooms and facilities of our suppliers, customers, or other vendors in our supply chain, which could impact our business, interactions and relationships with our customers, third-party suppliers and contractors, and results of operations. The extent and duration of the tariffs and the resulting impact on general economic conditions on our business are uncertain and depend on various factors, including negotiations between the U.S. and affected countries, the responses of other countries or regions, exemptions or exclusions that may be granted, availability and cost of alternative sources of supply, and demand for our products in affected markets. The export business represented less than 5% of the Company’s total net sales for each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Climate change and legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change may negatively affect our business, operations or financial performance, and water scarcity or poor quality could negatively impact our production costs and capacity. Our business depends upon agricultural activity and natural resources, including the availability of water. There has been much public discussion related to concerns that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere may have an adverse impact on global temperatures, weather patterns and the frequency and severity of extreme weather and natural disasters. Severe weather events and natural disasters, such as drought, flooding and/or wildfires in California, Oregon or Washington, and climate change may negatively affect agricultural productivity in our vineyards. The quality and quantity of water available for use is important to the supply of grapes and our ability to operate our business. Adverse weather, measures
16
enacted to address climate change, and other environmental factors beyond our control could reduce our grape production and adversely impact our cash flows and profitability.
We may experience significant future increases in the costs associated with environmental regulatory compliance, including fees, licenses, and the cost of capital improvements for our operating facilities to meet environmental regulatory requirements. We may incur costs associated with environmental compliance arising from events we cannot control, such as unusually severe droughts, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, or fires, which could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition, and/or results of operations.
Environmental issues or hazardous substances on our properties could result in us incurring significant liabilities. We are subject to environmental regulations with respect to our operations, including those related to wastewater, air emissions, and hazardous materials use, storage and disposal. In addition, we own substantial amounts of real property that are critical to our business. If hazardous substances are discovered on any of our properties and the concentrations are such that the presence of such hazardous substances presents an unreasonable risk of harm to public health or the environment, we may be held strictly liable for the cost of investigation and remediation of hazardous substances. The cost of environmental remediation could be significant and adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Changes in domestic laws and government regulations or in the implementation and/or enforcement of government rules and regulations may increase our costs or restrict our ability to sell our products in certain markets. Government laws and regulations result in increased farming costs, and the sale of wine is subject to taxation in various state, federal and foreign jurisdictions. The amount of wine that we can sell directly to consumers outside of California is regulated, and in certain states we are not allowed to sell wines directly to consumers and/or the amount that can be sold is limited. Changes in these laws and regulations could have an adverse impact on sales and/or increase costs to produce and/or sell wine. The wine industry is subject to extensive regulation by the TTB and various foreign agencies, state liquor authorities, such as the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and local authorities. These regulations and laws dictate such matters as licensing requirements, trade and pricing practices, permitted distribution channels, permitted and required labeling, and advertising and relations with wholesalers, distributors and retailers. Additionally, various jurisdictions may seek to adopt significant additional product labeling or warning requirements, limitations, or guidelines on the marketing or sale of our wines because of what our wines contain. Several such labeling regulations or laws may require warnings on any product with substances that the jurisdiction lists as potentially associated with cancer. Wine already raises health and safety concerns for some regulators, and heightened requirements could be imposed. If these types of requirements become applicable to our wine under current or future laws or regulations, they may inhibit sales of our wine or increase our costs.
Any expansion of our existing facilities or development of new vineyards or wineries may be limited by present and future zoning ordinances, environmental restrictions and other legal requirements. Any expansion of our existing facilities or development of new vineyards 15Table of Contentsor wineries may be limited by present and future zoning ordinances, environmental restrictions and other legal requirements. In addition, new regulations or requirements, or increases in excise taxes, income taxes, and property and sales taxes, could affect our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, new regulations or requirements or increases in excise taxes, income taxes, property and sales taxes or international tariffs, could affect our financial condition or results of operations. From time to time, many states consider proposals to increase, and some of these states have increased, state alcohol excise taxes. New or revised regulations or increased licensing fees, requirements or taxes could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We may be subject to litigation, for which we may be unable to accurately assess our level of exposure and which if adversely determined, may have a significant adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. Although our current assessment is that there is no pending litigation that could reasonably be expected to have a significant adverse impact, if our assessment proves to be in error, then the outcome of litigation could have a significant impact on our financial condition or results of operations or cash flows. The Company is, and may in the future become, the subject of, or party to, various pending or threatened legal actions, government investigations and proceedings, including consumer class actions, such as negligence claims, violation of consumer fraud and deceptive practice statutes, labor claims, breach of contract claims, antitrust litigation, securities litigation, premises liability claims and litigation in foreign jurisdictions. The Company is, and may in the future become, the subject of, or party to, various pending or threatened legal actions, government investigations and proceedings, including consumer class actions, such as labor claims, breach of contract claims, antitrust litigation, securities litigation, premises liability claims and litigation in foreign jurisdictions. In general, claims made by or against the Company in litigation, investigations, disputes or other proceedings have been and can in the future be expensive and time-consuming to bring or defend against and could result in settlements, injunctions or damages that could significantly affect the Company’s business or financial results or condition. It is not possible to predict the final resolution of the litigation, investigations, disputes, or proceedings with which the Company currently is, or may in the future become, involved. The impact of these matters on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be material.
17
Financial and Capital Markets and Tax Risks
Our indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our financial health. In March 2013, we entered into a revolving credit facility, comprised of a revolving loan facility and a term loan facility, with American AgCredit, FLCA (“American AgCredit”) and CoBank, FCB as joint lenders that is secured by certain real property. On June 15, 2023, we amended the revolving credit facility in order to, among other things, extend the termination date of the revolving loan and the term revolving loan to May 31, 2028 and amend provisions related to the interest rate applicable to the borrowings under the revolving credit facility to substitute the London Interbank Offered Rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. Financing arrangements that bear interest at variable rates could increase our vulnerability to interest rate changes. We plan to rely upon the revolving credit facility for potential incremental capital project funding and in the future may use it for acquisitions. No amounts are currently outstanding under the revolving credit facility. In November 2015, our subsidiary, Pine Ridge Winery, LLC, entered into a senior secured term loan agreement with American AgCredit for an aggregate principal amount of $16.0 million. In June 2017, our subsidiary, Double Canyon Vineyards, LLC, entered into a senior secured term loan agreement with American AgCredit for an aggregate principal amount of $10.0 million. We are guarantor of the term loans entered into by our subsidiaries, Double Canyon Vineyards, LLC and Pine Ridge Winery, LLC, which are collateralized by certain real property. The term loans entered into by our subsidiaries, Double Canyon Vineyards, LLC and Pine Ridge Winery, LLC, and the revolving credit facility include covenants that require the maintenance of specified debt and equity ratios, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, limit dividends and other distributions to stockholders and limit certain mergers, consolidations and sales of assets. If we are unable to comply with these covenants, outstanding amounts could become immediately due and/or there could be a substantial increase in the rate of borrowing.
Negative developments affecting the financial services industry could adversely affect our access to capital, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.Recent negative developments affecting the financial services industry could adversely affect our access to capital, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations. We often maintain our cash at financial institutions in balances that exceed the current Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits. If any of our lenders or counterparties to any of our financial instruments were to be placed into receivership or become insolvent, our ability to access our capital and liquidity and process transactions could be impaired and could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations and financial condition. In addition, if any of our suppliers, customers or other parties with whom we conduct business are unable to access funds or lending arrangements with relevant financial institutions, such parties’ ability to pay their obligations to us or to enter into new arrangements with us could be adversely affected. In the event of any future closure of other banks or financial institutions, there is no guarantee that the FDIC, the U.S. Federal Reserve and the U.S. Department of the Treasury will provide access, on a timely basis or at all, to uninsured funds. We cannot predict the effects of future disruptions in the financial services industry on our financial condition and operations, nor that of our suppliers, vendors or customers.
Our common stock is not listed on any securities exchange; as a result there may be a limited public market for our common stock.16Table of ContentsOur common stock is not listed on any securities exchange; as a result there may be a limited public market for our common stock. Prices for our common stock are quoted on the Over-The-Counter (“OTC”) Market. Securities whose prices are quoted on the OTC Market do not have the same liquidity as securities that trade on a recognized market or securities exchange. An active trading market for our common stock may not be sustained in the future. As a result, stockholders may find it more difficult to dispose of or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our common stock.
Our common stock price may experience volatility. The stock market has from time to time experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that often have been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. Changes in earnings estimates by analysts, if any, and economic and other external factors may have a significant effect on the market price of our common stock. Fluctuations or decreases in the trading price of our common stock may also adversely affect the liquidity of the trading market for our common stock.
Future sales of our shares could depress the market price of our common stock. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of a large number of shares of our common stock in the market or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate. Any disposition by any of our large stockholders of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such dispositions could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock. Any disposition by any of our large shareholders of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such dispositions could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common stock.
We are a “smaller reporting company,” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors. We are a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. As a smaller reporting company, we have relied on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not smaller reporting companies. These exemptions include reduced financial disclosure and reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements. We may continue to rely on such exemptions for so long as we remain a smaller reporting company under applicable SEC rules and regulations. Accordingly, we cannot predict if investors will find our
18
common stock less attractive because we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result of our reduced disclosures, there may be less active trading in our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.
Significant influence over our affairs may be exercised by our principal stockholders. As of March 6, 2026, the significant stockholders of our company include our directors Joseph S. Steinberg (approximately 16.5% beneficial ownership, including ownership by trusts for the benefit of his respective family members, but excluding Mr. Steinberg’s private charitable foundation) and John D. Cumming (approximately 17.6% beneficial ownership, including ownership by the Ian M. Cumming Charitable Lead Annuity Trust). Accordingly, Messrs. Steinberg and Cumming could exert significant influence over all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election or removal of directors and the approval of mergers or other business combination transactions.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.
Item 1C.Item 1A. Cybersecurity.
Risk Management and Strategy
The Company continues to invest in cybersecurity and the resiliency of its networks and to enhance its processes and procedures, which are designed to help protect its systems and infrastructure, and the information they contain. For example, the Company is in the process of further developing its cybersecurity incident response processes and procedures to enhance its ability to identify, assess, and respond to potential cybersecurity threats. Although the Company faces cybersecurity risks in connection with its business, as of the date of this Report, such risks, including as a result of any previous cybersecurity incidents such as the cybersecurity incident described below, have not materially affected (and are not reasonably likely to materially affect) the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. However, the Company can provide no assurance that there will not be incidents in the future or that they will not materially affect the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations or financial condition. However, we can provide no assurance that there will not be incidents in the future or that they will not materially affect us, including our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition.
Despite the systems and processes the Company has in place to monitor, detect, mitigate and remediate potential vulnerabilities, on June 30, 2024, the Company detected a cybersecurity incident in which an unauthorized third party gained access to certain information systems of the Company. Upon detection, the Company promptly initiated response protocols and began taking steps to contain, assess and remediate the cybersecurity incident, including launching an investigation with external cybersecurity experts. As of December 31, 2025, incurred cybersecurity expenses limited to the Company’s insurance deductibles have been recorded and reflected within the Company’s consolidated financial statements and such amounts are not material. For additional information, see Note 14 “Commitments and Contingencies” included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Report.
19
Governance
Board of Directors
Management
The Company’s IT department, under the direction of its Chief Financial Officer , is responsible for the assessment and management of material cybersecurity risks. The IT department includes personnel with experience in information technology, information security, compliance, systems administration, and auditing. The IT department is informed about and monitors the prevention, mitigation, detection and remediation of cybersecurity incidents through management of and participation in the cybersecurity risk management process described above, and regularly reports to the Audit Committee.
Recently Filed
Click on a ticker to see risk factors
| Ticker * | File Date |
|---|---|
| LFWD | 17 minutes ago |
| PFBX | 55 minutes ago |
| MHH | 2 hours ago |
| NEON | 2 hours ago |
| VACI | 2 hours ago |
| GIFT | 3 hours ago |
| NSPR | 3 hours ago |
| CING | 3 hours ago |
| PLX | 4 hours ago |
| HIND | 5 hours ago |
| BOBS | 5 hours ago |
| TSSI | 14 hours ago |
| CNTY | 15 hours ago |
| ESLA | 15 hours ago |
| DMYY | 16 hours ago |
| PGIM | 16 hours ago |
| PFHO | 17 hours ago |
| GGROU | 17 hours ago |
| ARTC | 18 hours ago |
| TELO | 18 hours ago |
| CLPT | 18 hours ago |
| HHS | 18 hours ago |
| GXAI | 18 hours ago |
| MESH | 18 hours ago |
| CAPR | 19 hours ago |
| SLXN | 19 hours ago |
| VREOF | 19 hours ago |
| AUBN | 19 hours ago |
| CBUS | 19 hours ago |
| AXTI | 19 hours ago |
| INDP | 19 hours ago |
| CWGL | 19 hours ago |
| BRLT | 19 hours ago |
| GTLB | 19 hours ago |
| IPM | 19 hours ago |
| ANKM | 19 hours ago |
| PHXE-P | 19 hours ago |
| LULU | 19 hours ago |
| FLD | 19 hours ago |
| TRVI | 19 hours ago |
| NN | 19 hours ago |
| IZEA | 19 hours ago |
| OKLO | 19 hours ago |
| HQY | 19 hours ago |
| BKSY | 19 hours ago |
| ANTX | 19 hours ago |
| COPR | 21 hours ago |
| GAP | 22 hours ago |
| MGTI | 23 hours ago |
| CHCI | 1 day, 2 hours ago |
