Fresh Vine Wine Inc

Notes to Financial Statements

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Fresh Vine Wine, Inc. (“the Company”, “our”, “we”), a Nevada corporation, is a premium wine brand built to complement consumers’ healthy and active lifestyles. The Company provides a competitively priced premium product that is blended to deliver several important benefits, such as low-cal, low-sugar, low-carb. The Company’s wines are also gluten-free and keto and vegan friendly.

The Company’s revenue is comprised primarily of wholesale and direct to consumer (DTC) sales, and representation and distribution services. Wholesale revenue is generated through sales to distributors located in states throughout the United States of America. DTC revenue is generated from individuals purchasing wine directly from the Company through club membership and the Company’s website.

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s financial statements have been prepared and are presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The financial statements include, in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring items, necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements. In certain instances, amounts reported in prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation.

Agreement and Plan of Merger

On January 25, 2024, the Company, FVW Merger Sub, Inc., a Colorado corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Notes, Live, Inc., a Colorado corporation (“Notes Live”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Notes Live, with Notes Live continuing as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and the surviving corporation of the merger (the “Merger”).

Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the closing of the Merger, (i) each then outstanding share of Notes Live common stock (collectively, “Notes Live common stock”) (which comprises all of Notes Live’s outstanding capital stock) will be converted into the right to receive a number of shares of Fresh Vine common stock calculated in accordance with the Merger Agreement (the “Exchange Ratio”), (ii) each then outstanding warrant to purchase Notes Live common stock will be exchanged (or otherwise amended) for a warrant exercisable (at an exercise price adjusted to reflect to the Exchange Ratio) to acquire that number of shares of Fresh Vine common stock equal to the number of warrant shares multiplied by the Exchange Ratio, and (iii) any then outstanding Notes Live promissory note that is convertible into Notes Live common stock will be exchanged, or otherwise amended, such that it will be convertible from and after the Merger into shares of Fresh Vine common stock at a per share conversion price adjusted to reflect the Exchange Ratio. Each share of Fresh Vine common stock and each option and warrant to purchase Fresh Vine common stock that is outstanding at the effective time of the Merger will remain outstanding in accordance with its terms and such shares of Fresh Vine common stock, options and warrants will be unaffected by the merger (subject adjustment based on the proposed Reverse Split described below).

As contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Fresh Vine intends to effect a reverse stock split at or around the effective date of the merger at a ratio that results in the Fresh Vine common stock satisfying the initial listing standards of the NYSE American stock exchange and the exchange ratio in the Merger being as near to one as reasonably practicable (i.e., so that each share of Notes Live capital stock will be exchanged in the Merger for approximatelyone share of Fresh Vine common stock) (the “Reverse Split”).

At the effective time of the Merger, the board of directors of Fresh Vine is expected to consist of seven members, all of whom will be designated by Notes Live.

The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights of each of Fresh Vine and Notes Live. Upon termination of the Merger Agreement under specified circumstances, Fresh Vine may be required to pay Notes Live a termination fee of $1.0 million and/or reimburse Notes Live’s expenses up to a maximum of $500,000, and Notes Live may be required to pay Fresh Vine a termination fee of $1.0 million, reimburse Fresh Vine’s expenses up to a maximum of $500,000, and/or, at the election of Fresh Vine, redeem the Fresh Vine Equity Investment at the same price per share as the purchase price paid by Fresh Vine therefor.

**Liquidity, Going Concern, and Management Plan **

Historically, the Company has incurred losses, which has resulted in an accumulated deficit of approximately $27.7 million as of March 31, 2024. Cash flows used in operating activities were approximately $333,000 and $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had an approximately $2.5 million working capital deficit, inclusive of approximately $59,000 in cash and cash equivalents and $50,000 in restricted cash. The Company has increased its liquidity by selling inventory at prices below cost, by significantly reducing staffing levels and by the termination of celebrity endorsement contracts.

The Company’s ability to continue as a going concern is dependent on its ability to meet its liquidity needs through a combination of factors including but not limited to, cash and cash equivalents, working capital and strategic capital raises. The ultimate success of these plans is not guaranteed.

In considering our forecast for the next twelve months and the current cash and working capital as of the filing of this Form 10-Q, such matters create a substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to meet their financial needs and continue as a going concern.

The Company received gross proceeds of $94,000 and $1 million from preferred stock offerings during the periods ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (Agreement) with Notes Live, Inc. The Company will need to seek additional debt or equity financing to sustain existing operations. If adequate financing is not available, the Company will be forced to take measures to severely reduce our expenses and business operations or discontinue them completely. Such financing, if available, may be dilutive. At the current reduced pace of incurring expenses and with receipt of additional financing and the receipt of proceeds from the expected sales of inventory, the Company projects that the existing cash balance will be sufficient to fund current operations into the second quarter of 2024, after which additional financing or capital will be needed to satisfy obligations. Additional financing may not be available on favorable terms or at all. If additional financing is available, it may be highly dilutive to existing shareholders and may otherwise include burdensome or onerous terms. The Company’s inability to raise additional working capital in a timely manner would negatively impact the ability to fund operations, generate revenues, maintain or grow the business and otherwise execute the Company’s business plan, leading to the reduction or suspension of operations and ultimately potentially ceasing operations altogether and initiating bankruptcy proceedings. Should this occur, the value of any investment in the Company’s securities would be adversely affected.

These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or the amounts and classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Accounting Estimates

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include allowance for doubtful accounts, allowance for inventory obsolescence, equity-based compensation for employees and non-employees, and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

Cash

The Company maintains its accounts at two financial institutions. At times throughout the year, the Company’s cash balances may exceed amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk.

Restricted Cash

Included in the cash balance is a balance of $50,000 and $100,000 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, that the Company’s operating bank has required us to maintain as a security for collectability of automated clearing house transactions. These funds are held in a separate account and are not available for disbursements.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consists of amounts owed to the Company for sales of the Company’s products on credit and are reported at net realizable value. Credit terms are extended to customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial conditions. The Company estimates allowances for future returns and doubtful accounts based upon historical experience and its evaluation of the current status of receivables. Accounts considered uncollectible are written off against the allowance. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 there was no allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventories

Inventories primarily include bottled wine which is carried at the lower of cost (calculated using the average cost method) or net realizable value.

The Company reduces the carrying value of inventories that are obsolete or for which market conditions indicate cost will not be recovered to estimated net realizable value. The Company’s estimate of net realizable value is based on analysis and assumptions including, but not limited to, historical experience, future demand, and market requirements. Reductions to the carrying value of inventories are recorded in cost of revenues. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had recorded an inventory allowance of approximately $110,000 and $112,000, respectively.

Deferred Offering Costs

Deferred offering costs primarily consists of legal fees and any other fees relating to the Company’s Series B preferred stock offering. The deferred offering costs were capitalized as incurred and were offset against proceeds from the sale of Series B preferred stock at the closing of the Company’s offering.

Investment in Equity Securities

The Company has elected the measurement alternative for non-marketable equity securities under ASC 321 Investments – Equity Securities. In accordance with ASC 321, the non-marketable equity securities are initially measured at cost and reviewed at year end for impairment and fair value changes. As of March 31, 2024, there were no changes recorded for the value of the investment since the initial measurement.

Revenue recognition

The Company’s total revenue reflects the sale of wine domestically in the U.S. to wholesale distributors or DTC customers. Under ASC Topic 606,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), the Company recognizes revenue when control of the promised good is transferred to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the Company is expected to be entitled to receive in exchange for those products. Each contract includes a single performance obligation to transfer control of the product to the customer. Control is transferred when the product is either shipped or delivered, depending on the shipping terms, at which point the Company recognizes the transaction price for the product as revenue. The Company has elected to account for shipping and handling as a fulfillment activity, with amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling included in total revenue.

The Company also generates revenue through membership in its wine club. Wine club members pay a monthly fee, which varies depending on level of membership, and are entitled to receive quarterly shipments of wine, free shipping, and discounts on other wine and merchandise purchased. The Company recognizes revenue for the monthly membership dues when the product is delivered. Any membership dues received before the product is delivered is recorded as deferred revenue on the Company’s balance sheet.

ASC 606 notes that when another party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer, the entity should determine whether the nature of its promise is a performance obligation to provide the specified goods or services itself (that is, the entity is a principal) or to arrange for those goods or services to be provided by the other party (that is, the entity is an agent). The Company does not bear responsibility for inventory losses and does not have pricing determination; therefore, the Company would be considered the agent and revenue should be recognized as net sales.

Products are sold for cash or on credit terms. Credit terms are established in accordance with local and industry practices, and typically require payment within 30-60 days of delivery or shipment, as dictated by the terms of each agreement. The Company has elected the practical expedient to not account for significant financing components as its payment terms are less than one year, and the Company determines the terms at contract inception. The Company’s sales terms do not allow for the right of return.

The following table presents the percentages of total revenue disaggregated by sales channels for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023:

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s accounting for fair value measurements of assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring or nonrecurring basis adheres to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair measurement in its entirety falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

The carrying values of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, deferred revenue and other financial working capital items approximate fair value at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, due to the short maturity nature of these items.

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. For those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. There were no uncertain tax positions as of March 31, 2024 or December 31, 2023, and as such, no interest or penalties were recorded to income tax expense. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company has no unrecognized tax benefits. There are no unrecognized tax benefits included on the balance sheet that would, if recognized, impact the effective tax rate. The Company does not anticipate there will be a significant change in unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.

Equity-Based Compensation

The Company measures equity-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes the compensation expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period. The Company recognizes any forfeitures as they occur.

The Company measures equity-based compensation when the service inception date precedes the grant date based on the fair value of the award as an accrual of equity-based compensation and adjusts the cost to fair value at each reporting date prior to the grant date. In the period in which the grant occurs, the cumulative compensation cost is adjusted to the fair value at the date of the grant.

See Note 8 for further discussion of equity-based compensation incurred in 2024 and 2023.

Advertising

The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expenses were approximately $145,000 and $490,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Application of New or Revised Accounting Standards

Pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), a company constituting an “emerging growth company” is, among other things, entitled to rely upon certain reduced reporting requirements and is eligible to take advantage of an extended transition period to comply with new or revised accounting standards applicable to public companies.

The Company is an emerging growth company and has elected to use this extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date that the Company (i) is no longer an emerging growth company or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocable opts out of the extended transition period provide in the JOBS Act.

NYSE Listing Requirements

On September 8, 2023, the Company received a written notice (the “Notice”) from NYSE American stating that it was not in compliance with Section 1003(a)(ii) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the “Company Guide”), which requires a listed company that has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in three of its four most recent fiscal years to maintain at least $4 million of stockholders’ equity. The Company reported stockholders’ deficit of approximately $2 million as of March 31, 2024 and have had losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. As required by the NYSE American, the Company submitted a plan to the NYSE American on October 9, 2023 addressing actions it has taken and how it intends to regain compliance with the continued listing standards within the required 18 month period ending March 8, 2025.

On November 21, 2023, the Company received notification (the “Acceptance Letter”) from NYSE American that the Company’s plan to regain compliance with NYSE American’s listing standards was accepted. The Acceptance Letter also stated that the Company is not in compliance with Section 1003(a)(i) of the Company Guide, which requires an issuer to have stockholders’ equity of $2.0 million or more if it has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in two out of its three most recent fiscal years. NYSE American has granted the Company a plan period through March 8, 2025 to regain compliance with Sections 1003(a)(i) and (ii) of the Company Guide. If the Company is not in compliance with all continued listing standards by that date or if the Company does not make progress consistent with the plan during the plan period, the Company will be subject to delisting proceedings.

2. LOSS PER SHARE

Basic net loss per share is determined by dividing net loss attributable to shareholders by the weighted-average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution and is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by the numbers of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all potential common shares had been issued and were dilutive. However, potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation of diluted EPS to the extent that their effect is anti-dilutive. The following table shows the components of diluted shares for the periods ending:

At March 31, 2024 and 2023,15,237,751 and 3,211,563 shares have been excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding as the inclusion of these shares would have an anti-dilutive effect.

3. INVENTORIES

Inventory is primarily bottled wine which is carried at the lower cost (calculated using the average cost method) or net realizable value. During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded a $110,000 inventory write down to net realizable value, which was recorded in cost of revenue in the financial statements. The finished goods inventory was $172,332 and $337,873 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. This inventory included a valuation reserve of $110,000 and $112,000 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

4. PREPAID EXPENSES

Prepaid expenses consist of the following at:

5. INVESTMENTS

In December 2023, the Company made a $500,000 investment for 50,000 shares of Notes Live, Inc. as part of the letter of intent entered into with Notes Live, Inc. See Note 1 for Agreement and Plan of Merger. The investment was initially measured at cost. The Company noted no impairment or fair value change as of March 31, 2024.

6. ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consist of the following at:

The sponsorship agreements relate to marketing contracts with unrelated parties within the sports and entertainment industry. The terms of the agreements range fromtwo tofour years with annual payments ranging from $103,000 to $216,000 per agreement. The total expense relating to these agreements for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, was $123,376 and $52,664, respectively.

Accrued credit card charges primarily consist of warehouse, shipping and other operating costs paid via Company credit card as a tool for managing cashflow.

7. NOTE PAYABLE

The Company entered into a short-term agreement with Sky Direct in March 2024 for $15,000 with no interest. The note was paid in full in April 2024.

8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Rights offering

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company distributed, at no charge to holders of the Company’s common stock, non-transferable subscription rights to purchase up to an aggregate of 6,366,129 Units. Each Unit consisted ofone share of our common stock and a Warrant to purchaseone share of our common stock. The Warrants were exercisable immediately, expire five years from the date of issuance and have an exercise price of $1.25 per share. For each share of common stock held by a stockholder of the Company on February 22, 2023, the record date of the Rights Offering, such stockholder received 0.5 subscription rights. Each whole subscription right allowed the holder thereof to subscribe to purchase one Unit, which the Company refers to as the basic subscription right, at a subscription price of $1.00 per Unit. In addition, any holder of subscription rights exercising his, her or its basic subscription right in full was eligible to subscribe to purchase additional Units that remained unsubscribed in the Rights Offering at the same subscription price per Unit that applied to the basic subscription right, subject to proration among participants exercising their over-subscription privilege, which the Company refers to as the over-subscription privilege. Upon the closing of the Rights Offering, which occurred on March 14, 2023, the Company issued 3,143,969 shares of common stock and 3,143,969 warrants and received aggregate gross cash proceeds of approximately $3.14 million. After deducting dealer-manager fees and other fees and expenses related to the Rights Offering, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $2.6 million. If exercised, additional gross proceeds of up to approximately $3.93 million may be received through the exercise of warrants issued in the Rights Offering.

Series A Convertible Preferred Stock

On July 27, 2023, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series A Stock”), which was amended on August 1, 2023 prior to the issuance of any shares of Series A Stock by filing Amendment No. 1 thereto (as so amended, the “Certificate”). The Certificate designates 10,000 shares of the Company’s undesignated preferred stock as Series A Stock and establishes the rights and preferences of Series A Stock.

On August 2, 2023, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with two accredited investors (the “Purchasers”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell in a private placement (the “Offering”) shares of Series A Stock.

Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Purchasers collectively agreed to purchase up to 10,000 shares of Series A Stock at a per share purchase price equal to $100.00 (the “Stated Value”), for total gross proceeds of up to $1.0 million. The Purchasers agreed to purchase 4,000 shares of Series A Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $400,000 at an initial closing of the Offering (the “Initial Closing”), which occurred on August 2, 2023. The Securities Purchase Agreement provided that the Company will issue and sell to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers will purchase, an additional 4,000 shares of Series A Stock at a second closing (the “Second Closing”), which occurred on September 7, 2023. The Securities Purchase Agreement provided that the Company will issue and sell to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers will purchase, an additional 2,000 shares of Series A Stock at an optional closing (the “Optional Closing”), which occurred on December 1, 2023.

Each share of Series A Stock is convertible, at any time and from time to time from and after the date of the Initial Closing at the option of the holder thereof, into the number of shares of common stock (“Conversion Shares”) calculated by dividing the Stated Value by a conversion price (the “Conversion Price”) of $0.10. However, if the Company’s common stock fails to continue to be listed or quoted for trading on a stock exchange, then the Conversion Price thereafter will mean the lesser of (i) $0.10, or (ii) the closing sale price of the common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the conversion date; provided that the Conversion Price shall not be less than $0.05 (the “Floor Price”). The Conversion Price is subject to standard adjustments based stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and the like, and the Floor Price is also subject to anti-dilution adjustments resulting from future offerings of common stock (or common stock equivalents) at a price less than the prevailing Conversion Price.

Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation”), the Holders shall (i) first be entitled to receive out of the assets, whether capital or surplus, of the Company an amount equal to 150% times the Stated Value for each share of Series A Stock before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any junior securities and (ii) then be entitled to participate in the distribution of remaining assets with the holders of common stock on an as-if-converted to common stock basis (disregarding for such purposes any conversion limitations).

The Company may redeem (i) up to 75% of the issued and outstanding shares of Series A Stock for a price per share equal to 150% of the Stated Value thereof if such redemption occurs within six months from the date of issuance, and (ii) up to 50% of the issued and outstanding shares of Series A Stock for a price per share equal to 200% of the Stated Value thereof if such redemption occurs after six months but before the expiration of twelve months from the date of issuance.

Each holder of a share of Series A Stock is entitled to receive dividends payable, subject to certain conditions, in cash or shares of common stock (“Dividend Shares”) valued as either (i) the then applicable Conversion Price, or (ii)50% of the then current market price of the Company’s common stock, at the dividend rate of 12% per annum. Dividends are cumulative and will be payable on July 31st of each year. However, the Company may not pay dividends by issuing Dividend Shares if and to the extent that the issuance of such Dividend Shares, when added to all Conversion Shares previously issued upon prior conversions of Series A Stock and previously issued Dividend Shares (if any), would exceed the Exchange Share Cap or result in a Series A Stock holder beneficially owning shares of common stock in excess of the Individual Holder Share Cap, in each case unless the Company obtains stockholder approval for such issuances.

The shares of Series A Stock will vote with the common stock as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company other than any proposal to approve the issuance of shares of common stock in excess of the Exchange Share Cap or the Individual Holder Share Cap. The Preferred Shares will vote on an as-converted to common stock basis, taking into account the conversion limitations resulting from the Exchange Share Cap and the Individual Holder Share Cap, if and as applicable; however, solely for purposes of determining voting rights, the Conversion Price shall be equal to the most recent closing sale price of the Common Stock as of the execution and delivery of the Securities Purchase Agreement, which was $0.47.

There was no issuance activity of the Series A Stock for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

The Series A Stock meets the requirements for permanent equity classification as prescribed by the authoritative guidance.

The following table summarizes accrued dividends that the Company is legally obligated to pay:

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

On March 14, 2024, the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada a Certificate of Designation of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series B Stock”). The Certificate designates 50,000 shares of the Company’s undesignated preferred stock as Series B Stock and establishes the rights and preferences of Series B Stock.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company entered into two Securities Purchase Agreements with accredited investors (the “Purchasers”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell in a private placement (the “Offering”) shares of Series B Stock.

Pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement, each share of Series B Stock will have a stated value equal to $100.00 (the “Stated Value”). As of March 31, 2024,940 shares of Series B Stock had been sold for a total in gross proceeds of $94,000.

Each share of Series B Stock shall be convertible at the option of the holder thereof into the number of shares common stock (“Conversion Shares”) calculated by dividing the Stated Value by the Conversion Price (the “Conversion Ratio”)(subject to the limitations described below). For such purposes, the “Conversion Price” means $0.45. However, if the Company’s common stock fails to continue to be listed or quoted for trading on a stock exchange (currently, the NYSE American), then the “Conversion Price” thereafter will mean the lesser of (i) $0.45, or (ii) the closing sale price of the common stock on the trading day immediately preceding the conversion date; provided that the Conversion Price shall not be less than $0.05 (the “Floor Price”). The Conversion Price is subject to standard adjustments based stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations and the like, and the Floor Price is also subject to anti-dilution adjustments resulting from future offerings of common stock (or common stock equivalents) at a price less than the prevailing Floor Price.

Except for stock dividends or distributions for which adjustments are to be made pursuant to antidilution provisions of the Certificate, holders of Series B Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends on shares of Series B Stock equal (on an as-if-converted-to-Common-Stock basis) to and in the same form as dividends actually paid on shares of the Common Stock when, as and if such dividends are paid on shares of the Common Stock.

The Company may redeem (i) up to 75% of the issued and outstanding Series B Preferred Shares for a price per share equal to 150% of the Stated Value thereof if such redemption occurs within six months from the date of issuance, and (ii) up to 50% of the issued and outstanding Series B Preferred Shares for a price per share equal to 200% of the Stated Value thereof if such redemption occurs after six months but before the expiration of twelve months from the date of issuance.

The Series B Stock will vote with the common stock and the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company other than any proposal to approve the issuance of shares of common stock upon the conversion of Series B Stock in excess of the Exchange Share Cap or the Individual Holder Share Cap. The shares of Series B Stock will vote on an as-converted to common stock basis, taking into account the conversion limitations resulting from the Exchange Share Cap and the Individual Holder Share Cap, if and as applicable; however, solely for purposes of determining voting rights, the Conversion Price with respect to each share of Series B Stock shall be equal to the most recent closing sale price of the Common Stock as of the execution and delivery of the securities purchase agreement or other subscription or similar agreement pursuant to which such share of Series B Stock was issued by the Company.

The Company previously engaged The Oak Ridge Financial Services Group, Inc. to serve as a financial advisor to the Company in connection with capital raising activities. In connection with the Offering, the Company has agreed to pay the Oak Ridge a cash fee equal to 8.0% of the gross proceeds received by the Company in the Offering, in addition to reimbursing Oak Ridge for its out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, the Company issued to Oak Ridge (or its designee) seven-year warrants to purchase up to a total of 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price equal to $0.50 per share.

The issuance activity of the Series B Stock is summarized below:

The Series B Stock meets the requirements for permanent equity classification as prescribed by the authoritative guidance.

Third Party Vendor Engagements and Related Founder Share Forfeitures

In December 2022, Rick Nechio and Damian Novak, two of the Company’s founders, together agreed to forfeit and transfer back to the Company without consideration a total of 970,000 shares of common stock of the Company held by them, to enable the Company to preserve cash by issuing such number of shares to certain of the Company’s service providing vendors without subjecting the Company’s other stockholders to dilution therefrom. Also in December 2022, the Company entered into agreements to issue 970,000 shares to such vendors in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Recipients of the shares included our third-party sales and distribution management service provider, as well as certain advertising, public relations, consulting, and legal service providers. Pursuant to agreements with certain of these vendors, the Company has agreed to issue up to an additional 1,030,000 shares of common stock upon the Company achieving specified revenue-related performance objectives within identified timeframes. Equity-based compensation expense related to the additional shares subject to revenue-related performance objectives was not material to the 2024 or 2023 financial statements.

9. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

This expense was for various marketing and advertising services in exchange for common stock and was being expensed over the lifetime of license agreements with celebrity endorsers. The license agreements were terminated during the period ending September 30, 2023.

Restricted Stock Units

On April 24, 2023, the Company granted 319,023 restricted stock units to its Chief Executive Officer. On May 11, 2023, the Company granted 170,958 restricted stock units to its Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing. On May 25, 2023, the Company granted 124,902 restricted stock units to its Chief Financial Officer. These restricted stock units had a vesting period that coincided with the Company filing its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and had a stipulation that each of the executives attained performance objectives. These employees terminated their employment with the Company during the third quarter of 2023 and therefore the stock units were forfeited.

Restricted stock units had no balances for the periods ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023

Shares of Restricted Stock

In April 2023, the members of the Company’s Board of Directors, collectively, were granted a total of 100,000 shares of restricted stock. The vesting period is as follows:25,000 shares vested immediately with 25,000 shares vesting each quarter following the award date.

Total equity-based compensation expense related to shares of restricted stock issuances was $0 and $188,500 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Restricted stock activity as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was as follows:

Vendor Stock Awards

Vendor stock award activity subject to revenue-related performance objectives during the three months ended March 31, 2024 was as follows:

Stock Options

Equity-based compensation expense totaling $1,626 and $53,672 has been recognized relating to these stock options during the periods ending March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The total unrecognized equity-based compensation expense was $7,046 as of March 31, 2024.

Stock option activity for three month period ended March 31, 2024 was as follows:

Warrants

As disclosed in Note 7, 3,143,969 warrants were granted as part of the Rights Offering in March 2023. Also noted in Note 7, 300,000 warrants were granted in March 2024 to our financial advisor and placement agent in connection with our offering and sale of Series B Preferred Stock.

Warrant activity for three-month period ended March 31, 2024 was as follows:

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of equity-based awards. The inputs for the Black-Scholes valuation model require management’s significant assumptions. Prior to the Company’s IPO, the price per share of common stock was determined by the Company’s board based on recent prices of common stock sold in private offerings. Subsequent to the IPO, the price per share of common stock is determined by using the closing market price on the New York Stock Exchange on the grant date. The risk-free interest rate is based on the rate for U.S. Treasury securities at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected life at the grant date. The expected term for employee and nonemployee awards ranged from 5 to 10 years based on industry data, vesting period, contractual period, among other factors. The expected volatility was estimated at 75% based on historical volatility information of peer companies that are publicly available in combination with the Company’s calculated volatility since being publicly traded. The Company does not expect to pay dividends. For awards with a performance condition, stock compensation is recognized over the requisite service period if it is probably that the performance condition will be satisfied.

10. INCOME TAXES

The Company has federal and state net operating loss carryforwards with a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2024. No income tax expense or benefit was recorded for the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 due to the Company’s net loss position.

11. SUPPLIER AND CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION

The Company has an agreement with an unrelated party for various wine making activities, including production, bottling, labelling, and packaging. The Company pays certain storage, administrative fees and taxes related to the purchased goods. There is no specified term of the agreement but continues as additional blanket sales orders are issued. For the three month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, substantially all of the Company’s inventory purchases were from this supplier.

The Company also engages with other suppliers for the purchase of a select varietal of wine to be offered in limited quantities. There are no formal agreements due to the infrequency of activity with these suppliers.

A significant portion of the Company’s wholesale revenue in 2024 comes from three national distributor customers that operate in several markets. For the three month period ended March 31, 2024, approximately 81% of the Company’s wholesale revenue came from these customers as well as one additional customer. At March 31, 2024, these customers accounted for 60% of accounts receivable. For the first quarter of 2023, the Company’s wholesale revenue came from only two national distributors that attributed to 73% of the Company’s wholesale revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023. These customers accounted for 73% of the Company’s accounts receivable as of March 31, 2023.

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

License agreements

During March 2021, the Company entered into two license agreements with certain equity investors for marketing and advertising services. These two agreements were terminated during the third quarter of 2023 and the remaining prepaid license fee was expensed. The net expense relating to the agreements was $0 and $120,000 for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Sponsorship Agreements

The estimated expense for the sponsorship agreements as described in Note 6 for the periods ending December 31 subsequent to March 31, 2024 is as follows:

13. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Timothy Michaels

On February 24, 2022, Timothy Michaels, the former Chief Operating Officer of the Company, signed a Separation Agreement and Release (the “Separation Agreement”) in connection with the termination of his employment with the Company, which occurred on February 7, 2022.

On May 27, 2022, Mr. Michaels filed a complaint against the Company in the Fourth Judicial District Court, Hennepin County, Minnesota, alleging that the Company breached the February 24, 2022 Separation Agreement by including a restricted “lock-up” legend on shares of the Company’s common stock issued to Mr. Michaels pursuant to the Settlement Agreement. The complaint also included counts alleging breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, issuer liability under Minn. Stat. § 336.8-401 for delay in removing or directing the Company’s transfer agent to remove the lock-up legend from the shares, conversion and civil theft.

The Company made a motion seeking dismissal of the conversion and civil theft counts, which was granted by the Fourth Judicial District Court, Hennepin County, Minnesota on October 31, 2022. On August 9, 2023, the Company moved for summary judgment on Mr. Michaels’ remaining claims. A jury trial commenced on January 23, 2024. During trial, on January 24, 2024, the Company filed a motion for judgement in favor of the Company as a matter of law, which was denied by the Court. On January 25, 2024, the jury in the lawsuit rendered a verdict against the Company awarding damages to Mr. Michaels in the amount of $585,976.25, which is included in settlement payable in the accompanying balance sheet. On February 22, 2024, the Company filed a renewed motion for post-verdict judgment in favor of the Company as a matter of law. On February 26, 2024, the Judge in the lawsuit denied the renewed motion for post-verdict judgment. On March 25, 2024, Mr. Michaels filed a Notice and Application for Taxation of Costs and Disbursements. On March 26, 2024, the Company filed its Notice of Appeal. On March 26, 2024, Mr. Michaels served a motion for Pre-verdict and Prejudgment Interest. On March 27, 2024, a Notice of Entry of Judgment was filed and, on March 28, 2024, a Notice of Docketing of Judgment was entered.

Website-related Plaintiff’s Lawsuit

On January 26, 2024, the Company was served with a complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York alleging that the Company has failed to design, construct, maintain and operate its Internet website to be fully accessible to and independently usable by blind or visually-impaired persons, thereby denying blind and visually-impaired persons with equal access to the Company’s goods and services in violation of the Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the New York Human Rights Law, the New York Civil Rights Law. On February 16, 2024, the Company filed an Answer to the complaint denying the plaintiff’s allegations and asserting affirmative defenses thereto.

14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

As of May 14, 2024, the Company has received subscriptions from accredited investors for the purchase of a total of 6,785 additional shares of Series B Stock and has received gross proceeds of $678,500.