A new Michigan law, if passed by Governor Jennifer Granholm, could allow Michigan stores to sell liquor before noon on Sundays. The legislation would provide a $160 fee for stores to begin selling liquor at 7 A.M. on Sundays. Currently, Michigan stores pay $90 to sell liquor starting at noon…
Category: Wine Legislation
Group Sues San Diego County on New Winery Policy
On September 3, 2010, the San Diego Citizenry Group, on behalf of various property owners throughout San Diego, brought suit against San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors challenging a new ordinance approved on August 4, 2010. The ordinance reportedly creates a more manageable process for wine growers to open wine-tasting…
Australia Adopts EU’s Geographical Indication System
This last week, Australia signed an agreement with the European Union to comply with the geographical indication (“GI”) system of the EU. The new agreement replaces an agreement signed in 1994 between the two wine powers and protects eleven of the EU drink labels and 112 of the Australian GI’s….
The Alcohol Beverage Legal Environment Post-Granholm
This article gives rise by suggestion of Tom Wark of Fermentation. It explores the legal environment, post-Granholm, relative to the constitutionality of the several state liquor regulatory laws and the underlying effect of the Supreme Court’s holding in Granholm. These three cases include Siesta Village Market LLC v. Steen, 595…
Wine Legislation Brewing in California
Recently, California legislators approved a proposed wine label law for those wine products of Sonoma County that will subsequently require vitners to place “Sonoma County” on any wine label that names a local appellation. The bill, Assembly Bill 1798, passed in the state Senate 36-0 on Monday and in the…
New Massachusetts Law Allows Wine Sales at Agricultural Events
A new Massachusetts law allows wineries and vineyards to sell their wine products at agricultural events throughout the state of Massachusetts. Under this law, a winery can obtain a temporary license from a local liquor authority to sell their wines by the bottle or allow tastings at agricultural events (i.e….
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…