New License Categories for Custom Wine, Beer, and Cider Making Centers

/

If you’ve ever thought about making your own wine but don’t have the space, equipment, or even grapes to do so, this law’s for you. On Monday, November 14, Governor Cuomo signed legislation authorizing the establishment of custom beermakers’, cidermakers’, and winemakers’ centers (“custom centers”), where producers may “share space, equipment, and storage to produce quality beer, cider, and wine for home consumption.” Senate Bill 1227B (“S1227B”—same as Assembly Bill 1100B) creates a regulatory framework in which custom centers will operate. The law will go into effect on March 2, 2017[1]. Keep reading to learn about the key provisions of the law.

Read More

Second Empire Wine Bill Vetoed

/

On Friday, November 4, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo vetoed Assembly Bill 10248 (“A10248,” same as Senate Bill 7728), a legislative measure that would have curtailed the State Liquor Authority’s jurisdiction over out-of-state activities.[1] A10248 was Assembly Member Phil Steck’s second attempt to clarify the conditions under which the State Liquor Authority (“NYSLA”) may punish a licensee or permittee for conduct that occurs outside of New York. A10248 and its predecessor, Assembly Bill 5920 (“A5920”), were precipitated by a long, bitter dispute between the State Liquor Authority (“NYSLA”) and Albany wine and liquor retailer Empire Wine (“Empire”). It is unclear at this point how NYSLA, Empire, and the Legislature will proceed.

Read More
/ /
, , , ,

Cuomo Signs ABC Law Modernization Bill

/

On Wednesday, September 7, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation intended to modernize the State’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (“ABC Law” or “ABCL”). Senate Bill 8140, often referred to as the “Brunch Bill,” implements the recommendations made by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Working Group (“Working Group”) in April 2016. The most talked-about provision took effect immediately and allows the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption before noon on Sundays—hence the legislation’s moniker—but boozy brunch is just one of many changes, most of which will take effect on November 6, 2016. Read on to learn more about these reforms.

Read More
/ /
, , , ,

Coming Soon: The Champlain Valley of New York Viticultural Area

/

It’s official: New York State will welcome its tenth American viticultural area (“AVA”) into existence on September 21, 2016! On August 22, 2016, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) published a final rule establishing the Champlain Valley of New York Viticultural Area. This approximately 500-square-mile area in upstate New York is distinguished by its cold climate and short growing season, which are too harsh for most Vitis vinifera varieties but well suited to North American hybrids. The TTB rule takes effect on September 21.

Read More
/ /
, ,