How do I obtain a small winery license, Is the process difficult?

Question

I want to start my own winery. But i need a license to sell it first.
I want to do it myself without the aid of lawyers.

Answer 1

Since all commercial alcohol production in the U.S. is regulated and licensed by the Federal Alcohol, Tobacco, and Fire Arms Agency as well as the production and sale of any commercial product requires local business licenses, check with both local city hall people and the Federals about requirements for licenses. Only after you get your licenses can you buy proper equipment for large scale production (over the 50 gallon a year exemption for personal consumption and not for sale). I don't know what you consider small scale production to be, but it probably is more than one barrel a year. Good luck. :)

Answer 2

No, the process is not difficult. The license is mostly a matter of filling out a form and plopping down some cash. Unless you're an unsavory character, it's pretty automatic.

You do have to meet sanitary requirements, but they are less stringent than those for a restaurant, because alcohol acts as an antiseptic.

And the taxes are not onerous, either. Federal taxes are $1.07 per gallon, but there's a $.90 cent per gallon credit on the first 100,000 gallons produced by a small winery (less than 250,000 gallons per year).

To that 17c per gallon, there are state taxes, which are typically fairly low as well.

You do NOT need a license to buy the equipment. Most of the equipment you buy will be the same as used in other chemical processing industry, and the manufacturers don't care what you're using it for. If you see needed equipment up for auction, and you can get it at a good price, feel free to bid away, even before you get that license.

Answer 3

I've known a couple people who've started boutique wineries, and you will want a lawyer at some point. Contact the ABC in your area, and also inform the city council of your area about your intentions. Because you're not just submitting the app to ABC, but also the city council. The license is sort of the easy part. Next is the insurance and health inspection. Of course you still have to get a sales tax permit too, that's easy. Beware the amount of paperwork you'll have to do and the amount of money involved just to craft wine.

Good luck, and cheers! It can be done!

Answer 4

call you state abc board they will give you the details

Answer 5

Just set one up in your basement. Nobody has to know.