Vermont wine makers will now have an expanded ability to sample and sell their own and other manufacturers' products at their vineyards. Governor Douglas yesterday at Shelburne Vineyards signed into law S27, an act relating to tastings and sale of wines, fortified wines and spirits. With the enactment of S27, wineries, vineyards and distilleries in Vermont will be able to host special events, including weddings, where they can sample and sell their products. The bill also allows producers of wines, fortified wines and spirits to sample and sell their products at farmers markets, as well as sample and sell other products on their premises.
The governor was joined by members of Vermont s Grape & Wine Council, as well as Secretary Roger Allbee of the Agency of Agriculture and Commissioner Mike Hogan of the Department of Liquor Control.
I am very pleased to sign this legislation to encourage and promote Vermont s emerging wine and spirits industries, Governor Douglas said. This bill creates new opportunities and new markets for these agriculture based businesses across the state.
It is especially important this year to help the grape and wine industries expand in Vermont. Vermont s wineries and vineyards can play important role in strengthening both our agricultural and tourism industries said Gail Albert, owner of Shelburne Vineyards and President of the Vermont Grape & Wine Council.
Vermont s first winery was established in Jacksonville in 1985. In recent years the industries have grown and there now are over 20 wineries and vineyards in operation, producing more than 107,000 gallons of wine in 2008. In addition to grapes, Vermont manufacturers produce wine from other fruits, as well as spirits such as maple vodka.
Wineries and vineyards are great examples of the continued diversification and evolution of Vermont s agricultural heritage and working landscapes, said Secretary Allbee. These products are a great complement to Vermont s growing specialty food products industries and in particular to our artisan cheese producers, he added.
The new law:
Allows wineries to sell products produced by other manufacturers at their manufacturing premises;
Allows wineries to hold events on their licensed premises or vineyard property and in addition to sales by the bottle, allows them to sell wine and beer by the glass or give a small amount for free for tasting purposes;
Allows wineries to rent their locations for events such as weddings and allow the tasting of their wines and sale of wine and beer at such events;
Allows wineries to taste and sell fortified wines such as port, that they have produced, by the bottle or by the glass at the licensed premises or at a farmers' market;
Allows manufacturers or rectifiers of spirits to sell their products by the glass or bottle and offer tastings at the manufacturing premises;
Allows in-state manufacturers to taste, in addition to sell by the glass or bottle, products they have produced (malt, vinous or spirits) at a special event open to the public; and
Changes residency requirements for liquor license applicants, by removing the Vermont and municipal residency requirements for individuals whether alone, in a partnership, or directors of a corporation.
Source: Vermont Chamber of Commerce; Governor's office