A New York State Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit launched by Empire Wine against the New York State Liquor Authority (“NYSLA”). In an 11-page ruling, Justice George Ceresia rejected Empire’s complaint that the statute upon which the NYSLA is relying is excessively vague, and denied Empire’s request for a preliminary injunction preventing…
Category: New York State Wine Laws
Governor Cuomo Signs Craft New York Act, Promoting Craft Beverage Industry
On November 13, 2014, Governor Cuomo signed the Craft New York Act, a craft beverage law that cuts burdensome restrictions and eases marketing requirements for craft beverage producers. Additionally, to further develop New York’s growing craft beverage industry, Governor Cuomo also launched the Craft Beverage Grant program, which creates a $2 million Craft…
Retailer Empire Wine Sues New York State Liquor Authority: Direct Shipping
In August, the New York State Liquor Authority (“NYSLA”) charged a New York retailer, Empire Wine & Spirits, with sixteen counts of improperly shipping wine to out-of-state consumers in states including California, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. See New York Retailer Charged with Illegally Shipping Wine to Out-of-State Consumers. The charges…
Why New York is Positioned to Take the Wine Industry by Storm: A Legal Perspective
New York is home to over four hundred wineries as of March 2014. See New York Wine and Grape Foundation: Wineries by County. While this number may not compete with the amount of wineries currently housed by California, it makes New York home to the greatest number of wineries on the East…
Friendlier Legislation for New York State Farm Wineries
As a New York resident—and a very strong advocate for both New York wineries and the development of the state’s wine law—I am excited to announce that the New York State Governor, Andrew Cuomo, signed a bill, entitled the Fine Winery Bill, on Friday that significantly reduces the regulatory burdens…
New York Governor Signs Bill to Help Vineyards
New York Governor Paterson recently signed 83 bills into law. (See Governor Paterson Signs 83 Bills into Law.) Among them, A.915-A/S.5501, is most significant to new or replanted vineyards (and orchards) in New York State. The bill, which was authored by Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte, streamlines the current property tax exemption…
In Support of Pending New York Wine Legislation…
Today, New York Civic posted an article analyzing alternative perspectives of New York Governor Paterson’s support of the sale of wine at local groceries throughout New York. The article specifically addresses the viewpoints of both New York wineries and liquor stores within the state. It can be accessed at Wine…
New York Corks Food Festival Wine Sales Bill
On Wednesday, New York’s Governor David Paterson vetoed a bill, previously created by the State’s legislature, that would have allowed New York wineries to sell their wine at food festivals without a fee. The Governor rejected the bill reasoning that its reference to “food festivals” was vague and not properly…