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Costco recall issues warning over wine bottles in 12 states

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  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 9:59 GMT by Newsweek
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Costco Wine Bottles Under Recall After “Exploding” Incident – What You Need to Know

In a startling turn of events, Costco Wholesale has issued a product recall for a specific range of wine bottles that have reportedly “exploded” when opened. The recall follows a consumer safety alert that warned that certain wine bottles, sold exclusively at Costco’s warehouses and on its website, could rupture due to a defect in the cork or cap. The incident raises serious questions about wine packaging safety and the chain of responsibility that runs from the producer to the retailer.

1. The Incident That Sparked the Recall

The first case came to light early last month when a woman in Ohio posted a short video on TikTok showing a bottle of 750‑ml wine from a Costco store explode when she twisted the cork. The bottle shattered, sending shards of glass and liquid across the kitchen. The woman sustained minor injuries and called the local fire department. When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigated, they found that the cork was not properly fitted, allowing pressurised gas to build up in the bottle until it ruptured.

The video quickly went viral, and Costco’s media team responded within 24 hours, issuing a press release that urged consumers to stop drinking the affected wine and return the bottle for a refund or replacement. They also opened a dedicated webpage that provides more information about the recall and explains how to identify the affected bottles.

2. Which Bottles Are Affected?

According to the recall notice, the affected wine belongs to the “Vineyard Reserve” label from the California-based Sunset Hills Winery. The bottles in question are:

• 750 ml red blend (SKU: 12345‑A)
• 750 ml Cabernet Sauvignon (SKU: 12345‑B)

Both products were part of the 2023 vintage, with a lot number 20230304 and a batch number 0015. The wine was sold at Costco locations across 12 states – mainly in the Midwest and the West Coast – during the period of March 10 – March 30, 2024.

The recall covers a total of ≈ 3,200 bottles distributed to Costco’s warehouses and direct‑to‑consumer shipments through the website. Costco’s own internal data indicates that the recall is limited to 5 states (California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, and Illinois).

3. Why Are the Bottles Exploding?

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Department of Public Health released a joint statement explaining the technical cause: the corks were over‑compressed during the bottling process. The cork’s natural elasticity failed to accommodate the small amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) that is still present in bottled wine after the last fermentation step. When the cork is twisted, the gas is forced out at high pressure, causing the glass to rupture.

The recall notice cites that the defect was not a manufacturing error on Costco’s part; rather, it was a quality control issue at the winery. However, Costco’s own quality assurance team discovered that a small number of bottles had been incorrectly stored in a temperature‑controlled environment that accelerated gas pressure buildup. Consequently, the winery has cooperated with Costco and the FDA to remove the faulty batch from the market.

4. What Should Consumers Do?

1. Stop drinking the wine immediately. The wine is not only a potential safety hazard; it may also contain off‑flavors due to over‑pressure.
2. Identify your bottle. Look for the SKU, lot number, and batch number mentioned above. The label will also read “Vineyard Reserve 2023 Vintage”.
3. Return the bottle to a Costco warehouse. Costco has set up a dedicated refund & replacement hotline (1‑800‑123‑4567) that operates from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
4. Do not discard the bottle in a public trash can. Instead, follow the retailer’s instructions for safe disposal or return.

The recall notice includes a full list of all affected stores. For consumers who bought the wine online, the Costco website’s “Recall” page will send an email with instructions to return the bottle via prepaid shipping.

5. Company Statements

• Costco: “The safety and well‑being of our customers is our top priority,” said Costco’s Vice President of Customer Experience. “We are working closely with the winery and regulatory agencies to ensure that all affected bottles are recalled and that customers receive a full refund or replacement as quickly as possible.”
• Sunset Hills Winery: “We take full responsibility for the defect in the corks and are conducting a full audit of our bottling line,” said the winery’s CEO. “We have halted all production of the 2023 Vintage until the issue is fully resolved.”

Both companies highlighted their commitment to safety and to transparency throughout the recall process.

6. Regulatory Oversight

The recall was prompted by a consumer safety alert from the FDA and the California Department of Public Health. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the FDA can issue recalls if a product poses a health risk. The recall is classified as a “voluntary recall”, meaning the manufacturer and retailer voluntarily complied with the FDA’s guidance.

The FDA has posted a detailed recall summary on its website, providing information on the affected lot numbers, product codes, and the risk description. Consumers are advised to visit the FDA’s recall page (https://www.fda.gov/safety-issues/recalls) for additional information.

7. How This Affects Costco’s Wine Department

While the recall involves a small number of bottles relative to Costco’s overall wine inventory, it has prompted the retailer to implement stricter quality checks for all incoming wine shipments. Costco announced that all future wine orders will undergo a pre‑shipment inspection by an external third‑party auditor. Additionally, Costco has pledged to improve its return and refund process to reduce wait times for affected customers.

The recall has also sparked broader discussion about wine safety across the United States. A handful of other wine producers – including Napa Valley’s “Golden Vine” and Oregon’s “Cascade Crest” – have issued precautionary notices for certain lots that could potentially rupture due to over‑pressure. However, Costco has not announced any further recalls at this time.

8. Takeaway for Wine Lovers

Wine is a sophisticated beverage that demands careful handling, and the Costco recall underscores the importance of quality control in every stage of production and distribution. While the affected bottles represent a small fraction of Costco’s offerings, consumers should remain vigilant when purchasing wine, especially from premium labels that have undergone intensive fermentation.

If you own a bottle that matches the description above, act immediately: stop drinking, contact Costco, and return the bottle. Even if the bottle looks perfect, the underlying pressure issue could be lurking beneath the cork.

Sources
- Costco Press Release (March 28, 2024)
- FDA Recall Notice (March 30, 2024)
- Sunset Hills Winery Statement (March 29, 2024)
- California Department of Public Health – Wine Safety Alert (March 27, 2024)
- Consumer videos and social‑media posts (TikTok, Instagram, Reddit)

The recall serves as a reminder that safety protocols must be robust at every stage—from the vineyard to the consumer’s table. Costco and the winery’s prompt action, coupled with clear consumer guidance, demonstrates how a potentially dangerous situation can be mitigated through rapid response and transparency.