WINE LICENSE DURATION CHANGE – EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2013

The Members of the Authority recently approved a change in the duration of licenses issued for the manufacture and sale of wine. Wine licenses are currently renewed yearly. As of January 1, 2013, on-premises wine licenses will be issued for two years. All other wine licenses will be issued for three years. These changes will apply to all renewals of licenses expiring on or after January 1, 2013. Furthermore, the changes will only apply to licenses filed after January 1, 2013. The license duration change will apply to those licenses filed before January 1, 2013, upon the first renewal.

In an effort to reduce the burden on wine licensees associated with the yearly renewal of their licenses, the Authority found that the provisions of Alcoholic Beverage Control Law (“ABCL”) ABCL §67 which sets the duration of time for distiller, wholesale liquor and package store licenses at three years and all on-premises liquor licenses at two years should also be applied to wine licenses.

All Wine Licenses Filed After January 1, 2013 will be for the Following Duration and Fee:

• Winery and farm winery licenses, as well as special winery and special farm winery licenses shall be issued for three years, at three times the annual fee
• Wine Wholesale licenses shall be issued for three years, at three times the annual fee
• Wine Store and Satellite Store licenses shall be issued for three years at three times the annual fee
• Direct Interstate Wine Shipping licenses shall be issued for three years at three times the annual fee
• Licenses to sell wine at retail for consumption on the premises shall be issued for two years at two times the annual fee

The filing fee for renewal applications, as ABCL §56-a, shall remain the same for all wine licenses.