Bill > S07398

This bill establishes a new "grocery store wine license" that will allow eligible grocery stores to sell wine produced in New York state or from New York-grown ingredients, exclusively in sealed containers for off-premises consumption. The license requires a one-time franchise fee of $10,000 and will have an annual fee calculated at 0.5% of wine sales. Licensees must already hold a beer retail license and can apply through the state liquor authority. The bill also modifies existing laws to permit employees under 18 to handle and ring up wine sales under adult supervision. Key restrictions include that only New York-produced wines can be sold, and the license will be tied to the underlying beer sales license, meaning it will expire when that license expires. Additionally, licensees who receive this new wine license will be exempt from certain existing alcohol sales regulations. The bill aims to support New York state wine producers by creating a new retail channel for their products while providing additional sales opportunities for grocery stores.

Business and Industry

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S7398