Bill > A3064

This bill amends existing New Jersey law to create a new type of license called a "cooperative farm winery license." This license will allow two or more individuals or entities to jointly operate a winery, sharing manufacturing costs and responsibilities under a cooperative agreement that must be approved and documented by the Director of the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. To qualify for this license, each participating individual or entity must own and actively cultivate at least three acres of land planted with grapes or fruit intended for wine production. Similar to existing farm winery licenses, cooperative farm wineries will be required to use grapes or fruit grown in New Jersey for their products, as defined by federal labeling standards for "New Jersey Wine." The bill also outlines a graduated fee structure based on the volume of wine manufactured annually, ranging from $100 for less than 1,000 gallons to $550 for 30,000 to 50,000 gallons. These cooperative wineries will have the same rights as individual farm wineries to sell their products at retail in original packages at up to six separate salesrooms and offer samples. Importantly, no holder of a cooperative farm winery license can also hold a regular farm winery or plenary winery license, nor can their premises be located on property already licensed as a farm winery or plenary winery.