HB418 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Pebblin W. WarrenRepresentative

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Chris EnglandMerika ColemanPatricia ToddBarry MaskTerri CollinsBecky Nordgren

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Small wineries, sales and distribution of wine by wineries, wine tasting facilities, direct sale of small wineries' wine, license fee and excise tax, Small Winery Business Viability Act, Secs. 28-7-13, 28-7-18 am'd.

Summary

The Alabama Small Winery Business Viability Act would let small Alabama wineries self-distribute to retailers, work with other small wineries, and operate under a new licensing and tax framework.

What This Bill Does

It would create a formal framework for small Alabama wineries, allowing licensed wineries to wholesale up to 24,000 gallons per year to retailers and to produce wine for other small wineries. It establishes license types and fees (e.g., Small Winery License $500, Remote Tasting Room $150, Small Winery Wholesale License $75, Local Event license $75, Bulk Import license $50) and imposes a wine excise tax of 0.45 per liter, with revenue split between the ABC board and local governments. It also allows Sunday sales where legal, enables sale of wine from other small wineries at tasting rooms and local events, authorizes bulk wine shipments up to 30% of annual production, and allows cross-licensing and blending provisions under state rules.

Who It Affects

• Alabama small wineries: gain self-distribution rights up to 24,000 gallons per year, may produce wine for other small wineries, must obtain new licenses and pay associated fees, and owe the new excise tax.
• Retailers, consumers, and local governments in Alabama: retailers can purchase wine wholesale from small wineries; consumers pay the new excise tax; local governments receive portions of the tax revenue and may levy related license taxes; Sundays sales and local event-based sales may expand access to wine.

Key Provisions

• Creates the Alabama Small Winery Business Viability Act with defined terms for small wineries, licenses, tasting rooms, and related activities.
• Allows a small winery to wholesale up to 24,000 gallons per year of its wine to retailers within Alabama, excluding sales from tasting rooms or local events.
• Implements license and fee structure: Small Winery License ($500), Remote Tasting Room ($150), Small Winery Wholesale License ($75), Local Event and Attraction License ($75), Bulk Import License ($50), plus base license framework for primary premises.
• Imposes a 0.45 per liter excise tax on Alabama-made wine, with 38 cents per liter allocated to the ABC Board and 7 cents per liter to counties/municipalities, collected monthly; the tax is in lieu of other similar taxes.
• Permits limited out-of-state bulk wine shipments (up to 30% of annual production) to Alabama small wineries, requires reporting and in-bond handling, and allows purchase of wine and other beverages for tasting rooms from wholesalers.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages