Beginning July 1, 2014, Idaho distilleries will be allowed to provide samples of their products at their manufacturing facilities, as has been permitted at breweries and wineries throughout the state of Idaho for quite some time. There are some conditions on the samples offered by a manufacturer: (1) the samples must be free; (2) samples

Content authored by Susan Johnson, Stephanie Meier and Claire Mitchell:

Over the last decade the number of micro or craft distillers in the U.S. has gone up by almost 30 percent a year, going from just 50 in 2005 to more than 600 in 2013, according to the industry group the American Distilling Institute (ADI). Washington is a leader in this growing industry. The state boasts 83 distillers, more than any other state in the nation. Yet despite this remarkable growth, it is difficult for distilleries, especially small ones, to survive. Startup costs are often extremely high and zoning regulations can be cumbersome to navigate. In addition, most state laws restrict craft distilleries from selling spirits directly to retailers and consumers, and from charging for on-premises samples.

However, the Washington legislature recently passed a bill–SB 6226–that seeks to help distillers overcome some of these hurdles. The bill, originally sponsored by Senators Holmquist Newbry, King, Conway, Hewitt, and Kohl-Welles aims at removing burdensome restrictions on distillery operations and supporting the state’s emerging craft-distillery industry by accomplishing the following:

  • Increasing the annual spirits production limit for craft distillers from 60,000 gallons to 150,000 gallons.
  • Eliminating the 3 liter per day per person limit on the sale of spirits by a craft distiller for off-premises consumption.
  • Authorizing a craft distillery to charge customers a fee for spirits samples of 0.5 ounce or less served to them on-premises.
  • Authorizing any licensed distillery to: 1.) sell spirits of its own production for consumption off the premises; 2.) contract with, and sell spirits to, other licensed distillers and manufacturers; and, 3.) provide for free, or for a charge, spirits samples of 0.5 ounce or less to customers on the premises, subject to a daily maximum of 2 ounces per person per day.

Continue Reading What Distillers Can Expect From the Passage of SB 6226

Oregon Senate Bill 841 brings finality to the ongoing debate about the appropriate intensity of agri-tourism and other commercial events held at wineries on agricultural land.

Looking forward, wineries permitted under ORS 215.452 are allowed to engage in activities that are directly related to the sale and marketing of wine without local review. These types of activities include wine tastings, wine club activities, winery and vineyard tours, meetings or business activities with wine industry members or vendors, open houses, and similar activities (which appears to be a catch-all allowing for some flexibility). The legislation confronts the debate about on-site kitchens at wineries, making clear that kitchens are allowed under specified conditions.Continue Reading Oregon Senate Bill 841 Provides Some Certainty for Wineries but Leaves Some Wanting