Bill > S1258

Introduced Session

This bill makes various changes to the law governing winery salesrooms. Specifically, the bill requires applications for winery salesrooms to be processed within 90 days, permits winery licensees to vary certain fees associated with the salesrooms, and permits winery licensees to provide samples of wine and sell wine in any area of a salesroom. Under current law, the holder of a plenary winery license who does not produce more than 250,000 gallons of wine per year and the holder of farm winery license are permitted to sell the licensee's wine in 15 salesrooms apart from the winery premises. In addition, the holder of an out-of-State winery license is permitted to sell the licensee's wine in 16 salesrooms in this State, provided that the licensee does not produce more than 250,000 gallons of wine per year. This bill requires the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to approve or deny a winery salesroom application within 90 days of receipt of the application. In addition, this bill clarifies that the holder of a plenary winery license, a farm winery license, or an out-of-State winery license may vary the restocking fee paid to the owner of a retail store or restaurant where a winery salesroom is located. The restocking fee is for the maintenance and operation of the salesroom and is set at an amount agreed upon by the parties. Currently, under the Alcohol Management Plan for Retail Outlets the restocking fee may only vary based upon the volume of the bottles of wine that the licensee delivers to the salesroom. Under this bill, the fee may vary based upon the price of the wine delivered to the salesroom. Finally, the bill allows plenary winery, farm winery, and out-of-State winery licensees to provide samples of wine and sell wine in original packages in any area of a salesroom, unless otherwise prohibited by federal law.

Committee Categories

Jim Beach (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document