Bill > S1209

Introduced Session

This bill authorizes the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to waive the requirement that the holder of a farm winery license manufacture fermented wines and fruit juices from at least 51 percent grapes or fruit grown in the State during the first five years of the winery's operation. Specifically, the bill allows a farm winery licensee to apply to the director for a waiver from the requirement in R.S.33:1-10 that fermented wines and fruit juices be manufactured from at least 51 percent grapes or fruit grown in the State during the first five years of the operation of the winery. A waiver would be granted provided the licensee: (1) agrees to manufacture fermented wines and fruit juices with the minimum percentage of grapes or fruits grown in the State as soon as practicable; and (2) does not exceed the production volume of its highest producing year when using grapes or fruit grown outside of New Jersey. The bill also provides that the director may charge a reasonable fee to apply for the waiver, and requires the director to make a determination as to whether the waiver will be granted within 15 days of receipt of the application. Under current law, a farm winery licensee is required during the first five years of operation to manufacture fermented wines and fruit juices from at least 51 percent grapes or fruit grown in the State, and thereafter manufacture fermented wines and fruit juices from grapes or fruit grown in this State at least to the extent required for labeling as "New Jersey Wine" under the applicable federal laws and regulations.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Jim Beach (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document