Brown-Forman Corp. v. Sims Wholesale Co, Inc

BRAY, Judge.

Brown-Forman Corporation (Brown-Forman), a winery, sought to terminate distribution agreements with certain wholesalers (wholesalers) of its products in accordance with the provisions of the Wine Franchise Act, Code §§ 4.1-400, et seq. (the Act). Wholesalers challenged the termination as a violation of the Act and petitioned the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (the Board) for relief. See Code §§ 4.1-407, -409. A panel designated by the Board ruled that termination of such agreements was permitted by the Act only for “wholesaler deficiency” or “situations of like…