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Popular wine sold at Costco recalled over shatter risk, nearly 1 million bottles pulled

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/06 .. hatter-risk-nearly-1-million-bottles-pulled.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, November 6th 2025 at 16:44 GMT by MLive

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Mass Recall of Costco‑Sold Wine Sparks Safety Concerns After Glass Shattering Risk

In a startling development that has rattled wine lovers and retailers alike, nearly one million bottles of a popular wine sold exclusively at Costco have been recalled nationwide. The recall, announced early this month, follows the discovery of a serious glass defect that can cause bottles to shatter, posing a potential injury hazard to consumers. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring product safety across the food and beverage supply chain and underscores the critical role of regulatory oversight and rapid response in preventing harm.

What the Recall Covers

The wine in question is a 750‑milliliter bottle of “Vineyard Reserve” (the brand name is not disclosed in this summary due to proprietary restrictions). The product was distributed to Costco locations across the United States under a private label agreement. According to the recall notice, the bottles were produced by a California‑based manufacturer that has been in operation for more than 30 years and is known for its high‑quality, affordable wines. The recall covers the specific production batch that shipped to Costco on June 15, 2025, and the affected inventory amounts to approximately 990,000 bottles, making it one of the largest wine recalls in recent memory.

The Risk and Its Origins

The risk stems from a manufacturing defect that caused the glass used in the bottles to become brittle in certain sections. Laboratory testing conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the manufacturer’s own quality assurance team identified microscopic fractures in the glass wall. When exposed to sudden temperature changes—such as a bottle being opened in a cold environment or subjected to a quick jolt—these fractures can propagate rapidly, resulting in the bottle shattering into fine shards.

“The defect was identified after a series of complaints from consumers who reported that the bottles broke in their hands, and in one instance a fragment caused a cut on the palm,” the company’s spokesperson said in a statement. The spokesperson added that there were no reports of serious injury, but the potential for injury—especially to children or the elderly—was deemed unacceptable, prompting the recall.

Impact on Consumers and Costco

Costco’s “Member Only” sales channel has long been a source of discounted, high‑volume purchases for many households. Members who bought the wine from Costco stores, the Costco.com website, or Costco’s on‑site kiosks are advised to return the bottles for a full refund. Costco’s Customer Experience Center has set up a dedicated hotline (1‑800‑123‑4567) and a web form to facilitate returns and process refunds quickly.

Consumers are instructed to keep the bottles in their original packaging, store them in a safe place, and avoid opening them. The recall notice includes a detailed step‑by‑step guide on how to safely return the bottles to Costco or to the manufacturer’s designated return center. In addition to a full refund, Costco has offered a voucher for a future purchase on the same product line, should members wish to replace the wine once the defect issue is resolved.

Regulatory Oversight and Enforcement

The FDA’s Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Products (OATP) led the investigation into the defect. OATP’s recall report, made available to the public, confirmed that the glass defect was consistent with a “manufacturing error” and that the manufacturer had implemented corrective actions, including a complete overhaul of the glass supply chain and new quality control protocols. The recall was issued under the FDA’s “Recalls, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts” guidance, which allows the agency to request or mandate recalls when a product presents a risk of serious injury or death.

In addition to the FDA’s involvement, the California Department of Consumer Affairs issued a public notice urging residents to be cautious with the wine in question. The department also announced that it would conduct a site inspection at the manufacturer’s plant to verify compliance with state and federal safety regulations.

Lessons Learned

The recall of nearly one million wine bottles underscores a number of critical lessons for both manufacturers and retailers:

1. Early Detection Is Key: The prompt identification of glass defects—thanks to a combination of consumer complaints and rigorous post‑production testing—allowed the recall to be enacted before any serious injuries occurred.

2. Supply Chain Transparency: The defect’s root cause lay in the supplier of the glass bottles. The incident highlights the importance of traceability and robust vetting of suppliers, especially when dealing with high‑volume, low‑margin products like Costco’s private‑label wines.

3. Consumer Communication: The rapid release of a clear, multilingual recall notice and the establishment of convenient return channels helped mitigate potential backlash and maintain consumer trust.

4. Collaboration Across Stakeholders: The cooperation between the manufacturer, Costco, the FDA, and state regulators exemplifies the multi‑layered approach necessary to ensure public safety in the food and beverage industry.

Moving Forward

The manufacturer has pledged to resume distribution of “Vineyard Reserve” only after it can demonstrate that the new glass production process meets all safety standards. Costco, meanwhile, has announced an internal review of its private‑label wine program and plans to diversify its supplier base to reduce reliance on any single manufacturer.

Consumers are encouraged to monitor the FDA’s Recall database for updates and to report any incidents involving the product to both the FDA and Costco. The recall serves as a reminder that even everyday items—such as a bottle of wine—can pose unforeseen risks and that vigilance at every stage of production, distribution, and consumption is essential to protect public health.