Oregon House Bill (“HB”) 4121 expands the basis for allowing wineries to be sited on land zoned Exclusive Farm Use (“EFU”). The bill, in addition to vineyards, would allow wineries to qualify as permitted uses under ORS 215.452 if 15 or 40 acres of land was used to cultivate or produce agricultural products other than
Big Developments in the Washington Wine Industry
The Washington State Wine Commission hired Steve Warner as the new Executive Director. For more information on Mr. Warner’s background, and the unanimous support by the Washington wine industry, read the WSWC press release here, and the WAWGG press release here.
In other news, the Washington wine industry, including both wineries and grape growers
Washington Wine, Beer & Distilleries Law Seminar – March 15, 2012
Please join us for our inaugural Washington Winery, Brewery & Distillery law seminar at the Columbia Winery in Woodinville, Washington on Thursday, March 15.
Panels to include these hot topics, plus much more:
- Privatization/I-1183
- Trademarks
- Employment Laws
- Tasting Room Operations
- Taxes
For more information and registration visit: http://www.stoel.com/showevent.aspx?Show=9199
Idaho Wine, Beer & Distilleries Law Seminar – Thursday, March 1, 2012
Please join us for our inaugural Idaho Wine, Beer & Distillers law seminar at the Boise Centre in Boise, ID on Thursday, March 1, 2012. 
Panels to include these hot topics, plus much more:
- Start-ups (licensing, permitting and business formation)
- Trademarks (protecting your investment)
- Distribution and other key contracts
- Land use issues
- Employee matters
For
5th Annual Oregon Wine Law Seminar – February 16, 2012
Please join us for our 5th Annual Oregon Wine Law Seminar at the Allison Inn and Spa in Newberg, Oregon on Thursday, February 16.
Topics and panels include start-ups, trademark registration, employment, privatization of OLCC liquor sales, land use and a panel discussion on alternating premises (wine/beer/spirits). This seminar is complimentary to all industry members.
A Check-In with the Idaho Wine Industry
An update from our colleagues Allison Blackman and Nicole Hancock:
The State of Idaho is most infamously know for the potato but the recently reenergized Idaho Wine Commission, vintners, and wineries across the state hope to soon add Idaho Wines to the Gem State’s reputation.
Idaho wines regularly net honors in regional and national competitions, and the media are increasingly taking notice. "They want something new to write about, and that’s us," says Executive Director of the Idaho Wine Commission, Moya Shatz. The October issue of Sunset magazine sports a feature story headlined: "Discover new wine country: In Idaho’s low-key Snake River Valley, the wine is getting seriously good."
Idaho is steadily earning a reputation for growing and producing vinifera wine grape varieties such as syrah and viognier, as well as classic varieties including merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and riesling.Continue Reading A Check-In with the Idaho Wine Industry
Cowlitz County Superior Court Denies Motion For Preliminary Injunction Against I-1183
Defenders of I-1183 received a holiday gift last week from the Cowlitz County Superior Court. On Thursday, December 22, 2011, the Court issued two important rulings in the declaratory judgment action challenging the constitutionality of I-1183.
First, the Court granted the motion to intervene brought a group of supports of I-1183 led by Costco and
TTB Publishes Notice of Rulemaking for Inwood Valley AVA
On December 5, 2011, the TTB published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice No. 125) regarding the establishment of the Inwood Valley Viticultural Area in Shasta, California. If established, the new AVA would consist of a 28,000 acre area, the vast majority of which is currently not dedicated to, or known for, vineyards. The TTB
TTB Rules to Expand Sonoma AVAs
On Wednesday November 16, the TTB published a ruling (T.D. TTB-97, available here) amending the federal definition of the Russian River Valley viticultural area and the Northern Sonoma viticultural area, by expanding each. The action first began in August of 2008 when Gallo Family Vineyards submitted a petition for the amendment. After receiving numerous comments
State Law Restrictions on Direct Sales to Consumers Are Ripe for Challenge
In the 2005 case Granholm v. Held, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Michigan and New York laws that effectively prevented out-of-state wineries from shipping directly to in-state consumers but that allowed in-state wineries to conclude in-state direct sales. The Court held that these laws violated the U.S. Constitution’s Commerce Clause. Since then, lower