SB234 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Small farm wineries, authorize to sell to consumers or distribute to retailers

Summary

The bill would let certain small Alabama wineries sell and deliver their table wines directly to consumers and to licensed retailers, instead of only selling to distributors.

What This Bill Does

It defines what a 'small farm winery' is and lets those wineries self-distribute to licensed retailers or sell directly to consumers. It also authorizes delivery to Alabama residents 21 or older (direct delivery or via a third-party carrier) and imposes tax collection and remittance requirements on these sales. The bill allows sales to retailers and delivery to retailers, requires labeling and age verification for deliveries, and gives the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board authority to adopt implementing rules.

Who It Affects

• Small farm wineries that meet the defined qualifications (production limits and state-fruit requirements) would gain new distribution and direct-sale options.
• Alabama residents aged 21 and older could receive wine shipped directly to them from small farm wineries.
• Retailers licensed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board could receive wine from small farm wineries.
• The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board would oversee and regulate these activities through rulemaking.

Key Provisions

• Defines 'small farm winery' as a licensed producer producing no more than 100,000 gallons of table wine per year, with at least 50% of total production made at the winery and at least 50% of the fruit sourced from within Alabama or the winery owning/leasing at least five acres of Alabama vineyards.
• Allows small farm wineries to sell table wine directly to consumers and to deliver to consumers (21+), with required tax collection and remittance of state and local taxes and excise taxes.
• Allows small farm wineries to deliver to Alabama residents 21+ or contract with a third-party common carrier for delivery, with shipping labels noting alcohol and age verification at delivery.
• Allows small farm wineries to sell to licensed retailers (on-, off-, or both on-premises participation) and to deliver to those retailers.
• Provides an exemption from certain provisions of Title 40 for small farm wineries.
• Authorizes the ABC Board to adopt rules to implement these provisions, including record-keeping requirements to verify winery qualifications.
• Establishes the act's effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and approval.

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

Subjects

Wine