12/04/07 What is a Winery?

What is a Winery? I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. What is a winery? I know that may sound like a strange question but that is an issue that is being asked right now in the state according to Marty Clubb President of the Washington Wine Institute. CLUBB: We're working really very closely with the state liquor control board in an issue defining, what is a winery. In the days when prohibition ended they passed the 21st amendment which gave the states the right to regulate alcohol and you can imagine in those days the laws that they put on the books were pretty rigid. In today's modern, hi-tech, internet based commerce the old model doesn't necessarily fit. Clubb says that on the positive side of the coin, the state agrees. CLUBB: Fortunately the liquor board recognizes that and they're working with the Washington wine industry to let us help them rewrite some of the rules so while we're still compliant with the safety, health and moderation aspect of controlling the flow of alcohol, we're also creating a much more economic environment for us to be able to sell and do business. And one of those issues is really in defining what constitutes a winery beyond what we traditionally think of. CLUBB: There are many new models for example you may have a vineyard grower who doesn't have the capital or the desire to also build a winery but may have a desire to see that their product is made into a wine that they can market with their vineyard name on it. Well that makes a lot of sense but currently the law today doesn't really allow that. And Clubb says fortunately the Governor and other state entities recognize the importance of the wine industry to Washington State. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.