Hello Family Wineries,
We have exciting news! We have been asked to organize a wine tasting event for the Kent Cornucopia Days street festival to run for three days in July: Friday, July 8th thru Sunday, July 10th. Our sales and tasting plan will be similar to the one we organized for the Enumclaw Chocolate Festival two years ago. We are hoping to have 20 FWWS wineries participate and expect to do a brisk tasting business during the festival. We are told the attendance approaches 250,000 people with most attending on the weekend. The event organizers are very excited about having wine tasting this year.
The event is organized and run by the Kent Lions Club and is an extremely big deal for them. The event is run as a charity fund-raiser and entertainment event for the city and the area with lots of food and crafts booths. The Lions Club is very happy to have us on board and has arranged for us to be located in a very attractive parking lot next to the park on Railroad Ave. This is the heart of the event and should give us good foot traffic.
Once again this will be a scrip sales event. Tasting prices will be at the discretion of the winery and will be split with FWWS. While we will also have a wine store for off-premise sales, the scrip sales should make this event substantially more economically attractive for wineries than a typical event with bottle shop only. More details on the event including scrip and wine shop setup will be forwarded later to participating wineries.
Please email us at board@familywineriesofwashington.org to reserve your place. Though by the time of the event charging table fees for special occasion events will likely be legal, we will not be charging a table fee. We may, depending on interest, charge a modest place-holding fee that would be fully refundable at the end of the event, assuming you participate for the full three days. Since this event will be open to FWWS member wineries only, certificates of insurance will not be required (the organization maintains festival insurance covering members at FWWS events as another benefit of membership).
This is an outdoor event, so we will also be providing tents to protect us from the sun.
Estimated run times for the event are Friday, 4:00-8:00 pm; Saturday, 1:00 – 8:00 pm; and Sunday, 1:00 – 6:00 pm.
More info to come as we get closer to the event.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
HR 1161: The Great Constitutional Head Fake
Though we are acting locally in the battle for sanity in wine trade, this is what the opposition is doing nationally. Please write your congressional representative and Senators!
http://bit.ly/hhDcFX
http://bit.ly/hhDcFX
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Spring Safety and Regulatory Update Part Two
Licensing and Agent Requirements
There has been considerable confusion recently with regard to the licensure requirements for winery owners and employees when pouring or selling their wine. The locations in question include the following:
Class 12 Server’s Licenses obtained through “Mandatory” Alcohol Server Training (MAST)
Of the above locations, the only ones for which Class 12 permits are required for winery owners and employees acting for the winery are winery off-premise tasting rooms and grocery stores using the new sampling permit. Class 12 permits are not required at your on-premise tasting room. The requirement for such server permits at off-premise tasting rooms and grocery stores was specifically included in the laws enabling each of these programs.
FWWS has consistently drawn a line between liquor laws focusing on public safety, which we support and seek to make simpler and more effective, and liquor laws restricting trade in wine, which we generally oppose. Server training clearly falls in the first category. Similar to first aid and CPR training, it is difficult to see any downside of MAST for you and your employees at either your on-premise tasting room, or at special occasion events where we can help non-industry members of non-profit organizations understand the rules and hazards of pouring wine. The FWWS Board encourages you to take a mandatory alcohol server course. These are available from numerous private vendors and now are also available online. Information on MAST providers can be found at the following link:
http://bit.ly/hTCEmI
Class 8 permits
Class 8 permits allow winery owners and their employees to pour wine for licensees at trade shows which are not open to the general public. This permit appears to have been developed as a way of getting around the “money’s worth” prohibition in the liquor statute as well as the general prohibition on giving away alcohol for free in cases where admission is not charged. Since alcohol has a monetary value, and since there is no specific carve-out for trade shows (as there is, for example, for giving away a sample bottle of wine of each vintage), pouring wine for licensees is, in this case, an illegal gift.
This is yet another unintended consequence of the blanket money’s worth prohibitions in the statute. Our Craft Wineries proposal, which provides a comprehensive solution to the money’s worth issues, has faced consistent opposition from some in the industry. We will speak to the liquor Board in the coming months to explore their views on finding an alternative to class 8 permits for such trade shows. Most likely this would involve yet another “carved-out” exception to money’s worth restrictions. Given that trade tastings are vital to wine promotion, involve only licensees, and benefit all tiers of the industry, we do not see any reason that this would be a controversial approach to replacing the Class 8 permit, which serves no other purpose.
Agent’s Licenses
It has come to our attention that the WSLCB interprets current law to require that winery owners and their employees (exception: winery owners whose business is structured as a sole proprietorship) must obtain a WSLCB agent’s license to “canvass for, solicit, receive or take orders for” wine. Rather than confuse this issue with a discussion of the present interpretation, we will look to the near future. There is a provision in this year’s “omnibus” liquor law that specifically clarifies that winery owners are not required to appoint themselves or their employees as “agents” for the purpose of representing themselves in soliciting and taking orders for wine. This bill is presently on the Governor’s desk, and she is expected to sign it. We have clarified with WSLCB enforcement staff that, assuming this bill is signed as expected, the WSLCB does not intend to enforce the current interpretation in the interim before rules (WACs) are adopted to implement the new law.
We should point out that an agent’s license will still be required for non-employees who “canvass for, solicit, receive or take orders for” your wine - in other words for the sort of people and activities that many of you probably currently have agent’s licenses in place for.
There has been considerable confusion recently with regard to the licensure requirements for winery owners and employees when pouring or selling their wine. The locations in question include the following:
- Winery on-premise (at the licensed winery facility) tasting rooms
- Winery off-premise or secondary tasting rooms
- Special occasion licensed events
- Specialty beer and wine shops
- Restaurants with spirits/beer/wine licenses
- Restaurants/stores with beer/wine licenses
- Grocery stores falling under the new sampling law
- Your distributor’s premises
- Industry trade shows where wineries pour for licensees (distributors or retailers)
Class 12 Server’s Licenses obtained through “Mandatory” Alcohol Server Training (MAST)
Of the above locations, the only ones for which Class 12 permits are required for winery owners and employees acting for the winery are winery off-premise tasting rooms and grocery stores using the new sampling permit. Class 12 permits are not required at your on-premise tasting room. The requirement for such server permits at off-premise tasting rooms and grocery stores was specifically included in the laws enabling each of these programs.
FWWS has consistently drawn a line between liquor laws focusing on public safety, which we support and seek to make simpler and more effective, and liquor laws restricting trade in wine, which we generally oppose. Server training clearly falls in the first category. Similar to first aid and CPR training, it is difficult to see any downside of MAST for you and your employees at either your on-premise tasting room, or at special occasion events where we can help non-industry members of non-profit organizations understand the rules and hazards of pouring wine. The FWWS Board encourages you to take a mandatory alcohol server course. These are available from numerous private vendors and now are also available online. Information on MAST providers can be found at the following link:
http://bit.ly/hTCEmI
Class 8 permits
Class 8 permits allow winery owners and their employees to pour wine for licensees at trade shows which are not open to the general public. This permit appears to have been developed as a way of getting around the “money’s worth” prohibition in the liquor statute as well as the general prohibition on giving away alcohol for free in cases where admission is not charged. Since alcohol has a monetary value, and since there is no specific carve-out for trade shows (as there is, for example, for giving away a sample bottle of wine of each vintage), pouring wine for licensees is, in this case, an illegal gift.
This is yet another unintended consequence of the blanket money’s worth prohibitions in the statute. Our Craft Wineries proposal, which provides a comprehensive solution to the money’s worth issues, has faced consistent opposition from some in the industry. We will speak to the liquor Board in the coming months to explore their views on finding an alternative to class 8 permits for such trade shows. Most likely this would involve yet another “carved-out” exception to money’s worth restrictions. Given that trade tastings are vital to wine promotion, involve only licensees, and benefit all tiers of the industry, we do not see any reason that this would be a controversial approach to replacing the Class 8 permit, which serves no other purpose.
Agent’s Licenses
It has come to our attention that the WSLCB interprets current law to require that winery owners and their employees (exception: winery owners whose business is structured as a sole proprietorship) must obtain a WSLCB agent’s license to “canvass for, solicit, receive or take orders for” wine. Rather than confuse this issue with a discussion of the present interpretation, we will look to the near future. There is a provision in this year’s “omnibus” liquor law that specifically clarifies that winery owners are not required to appoint themselves or their employees as “agents” for the purpose of representing themselves in soliciting and taking orders for wine. This bill is presently on the Governor’s desk, and she is expected to sign it. We have clarified with WSLCB enforcement staff that, assuming this bill is signed as expected, the WSLCB does not intend to enforce the current interpretation in the interim before rules (WACs) are adopted to implement the new law.
We should point out that an agent’s license will still be required for non-employees who “canvass for, solicit, receive or take orders for” your wine - in other words for the sort of people and activities that many of you probably currently have agent’s licenses in place for.
Spring Safety and Regulatory Updates
Dear FWWS Member,
We have a fair amount of information to share with you regarding safety, regulatory, training and licensing issues. Since there are several topics to cover and the information is somewhat detailed, we will be breaking these topics up into several posts. This first post relates to the impending regulation of SO2 gas.
SO2 Regulation Update
The FWWS Board has been working proactively with the WSDA for over a year in regard to the inevitable regulation of sulfur dioxide used as a fumigant in wineries. We understand that WAWGG and other organizations have also been following this issue. We are presently working with WSDA staff in their pursuit of a grant to develop best management practices for wineries using SO2. Since we have a fair amount of information to share, and, more importantly, so that we don’t “bury the lead”, here are two important points:
Fumigants such as sulfur dioxide are regulated as pesticides under the FIFRA (Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act). Compliance with this act within Washington State is administered by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Factors used in considering labeling restrictions for a specific substance include such things as physical properties (i.e. SO2 gas is heavier than air), cumulative risk, effects on drinking water, and human health risks (an obvious concern with SO2 gas).
In 2007 the EPA determined in a Registration Eligibility Decision that regulatory rules for inorganic sulfites, which include sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfite and potassium metabisulfite, could be re-issued, provided that label rules are followed and that products are properly labeled.
In February of 2010, WSDA issued an “Important Notice to Washington State Wineries and Sulfur Dioxide Use Fact Sheet”. This served as notice that further SO2 regulation was inevitable.
SO2 falls into 2 categories, pesticidal and non-pesticidal.
At the present time there are no gaseous SO2 products that have label approval for use in Washington State so the WSDA is not presently enforcing regulation of its use. Inevitably this will change when a label approval is issued. At that time, those using SO2 gas will need to follow appropriate pesticide applicator licensing rules. This licensure will fall into two categories:
We have a fair amount of information to share with you regarding safety, regulatory, training and licensing issues. Since there are several topics to cover and the information is somewhat detailed, we will be breaking these topics up into several posts. This first post relates to the impending regulation of SO2 gas.
SO2 Regulation Update
The FWWS Board has been working proactively with the WSDA for over a year in regard to the inevitable regulation of sulfur dioxide used as a fumigant in wineries. We understand that WAWGG and other organizations have also been following this issue. We are presently working with WSDA staff in their pursuit of a grant to develop best management practices for wineries using SO2. Since we have a fair amount of information to share, and, more importantly, so that we don’t “bury the lead”, here are two important points:
- What we are talking about here is gaseous sulfur dioxide used in fumigating barrels. All sulfur products except SO2 gas which are used in wine additions as an anti-oxidant or anti-microbial are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the USDA and are not being considered for further regulation at this time. These other non regulated sulfur products would include Potassium Metabisulfite, Sodium Bisulfite, and Liquid SO2.
- There are presently no formulations of gaseous SO2 that are “labeled” for use as a pesticide in Washington State so, at the present time you do not need to do anything specific for regulatory compliance. Obviously you should continue to use all appropriate and common sense worker protections measures such as protective clothing, proper ventilation and respirators (acid/gas or air supplied).
Fumigants such as sulfur dioxide are regulated as pesticides under the FIFRA (Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act). Compliance with this act within Washington State is administered by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Factors used in considering labeling restrictions for a specific substance include such things as physical properties (i.e. SO2 gas is heavier than air), cumulative risk, effects on drinking water, and human health risks (an obvious concern with SO2 gas).
In 2007 the EPA determined in a Registration Eligibility Decision that regulatory rules for inorganic sulfites, which include sulfur dioxide, sodium bisulfite and potassium metabisulfite, could be re-issued, provided that label rules are followed and that products are properly labeled.
In February of 2010, WSDA issued an “Important Notice to Washington State Wineries and Sulfur Dioxide Use Fact Sheet”. This served as notice that further SO2 regulation was inevitable.
SO2 falls into 2 categories, pesticidal and non-pesticidal.
- Gassing barrels and corks to sanitize them or to control spoilage organisms is a pesticidal use and will be regulated.
- Additions to wine not using gaseous SO2 are GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) and are not being considered for further regulation.
At the present time there are no gaseous SO2 products that have label approval for use in Washington State so the WSDA is not presently enforcing regulation of its use. Inevitably this will change when a label approval is issued. At that time, those using SO2 gas will need to follow appropriate pesticide applicator licensing rules. This licensure will fall into two categories:
- A Private Applicator’s License will unfortunately be allowed for those using entirely estate fruit only. This license requires one exam. The rules require that the licensee be “available” during application. WSDA enforces this requirement in orchards, for example, by allowing the licensed supervisor to be available by cell phone.
- A Private Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s License will be required for all others. This requires two exams and includes a fumigation endorsement. The good news is that WSDA staff assures us that the test can often be taken at the same time and is not considerably more difficult. The rules here require that the licensee supervision must be within eye and ear shot of the application.
- Step one: Compiling Information. On site testing. Setting parameters, researching methods and protective equipment and establishing BMPs.
- Step two: Presentation of BMPs to the industry.
- Step three: Implementation through technology transfer and technical assistance for individual wineries.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Washington Farm Bureau Health Insurance
Dear FWWS Members:
Our organization is pleased to offer you a health insurance option through the Washington Farm Bureau. You can take advantage of this health insurance coverage at affordable group or individual rates.
Please go to http://bit.ly/g6jOGJ and select either the individual or group coverage options to connect for a quote and to enroll.
Your FWWS Board in cooperation with the Washington Farm Bureau
Our organization is pleased to offer you a health insurance option through the Washington Farm Bureau. You can take advantage of this health insurance coverage at affordable group or individual rates.
Please go to http://bit.ly/g6jOGJ and select either the individual or group coverage options to connect for a quote and to enroll.
Your FWWS Board in cooperation with the Washington Farm Bureau
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Welcome New Member Vinyl Wines
I am pleased to welcome our newest member, Vinyl Wines, to the FWWS. Here is some information on them:
From the beginning, Vinyl Wines has had one focus: to offer a new wine experience for consumers. Knowing that it is difficult to reinvent the wheel, we have decided to take the wine industry to a new level. Wine is our passion and we strive to make wines that are not only delicious, but also indicative of the vineyards that we source from. Our other passion is music; from the rhythms to vocal patterns and guitar riffs, music is what moves us on a daily basis. Here at Vinyl, we have decided to bridge our two passions into one product and share it with the world. We hope that you, your friends and family enjoy the wines that we have made and the music that we have selected to share. Here’s to the new generation of the wine and music industry; where the two become one.
http://www.vinylwines.com
Welcome to the org!
From the beginning, Vinyl Wines has had one focus: to offer a new wine experience for consumers. Knowing that it is difficult to reinvent the wheel, we have decided to take the wine industry to a new level. Wine is our passion and we strive to make wines that are not only delicious, but also indicative of the vineyards that we source from. Our other passion is music; from the rhythms to vocal patterns and guitar riffs, music is what moves us on a daily basis. Here at Vinyl, we have decided to bridge our two passions into one product and share it with the world. We hope that you, your friends and family enjoy the wines that we have made and the music that we have selected to share. Here’s to the new generation of the wine and music industry; where the two become one.
http://www.vinylwines.com
Welcome to the org!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Florida Shipping Threatened
Dear FWWS Member,
Linked below is an alert from freethegrapes.org regarding a proposed law restricting direct shipment of wine in Florida. We are alarmed that this potentially devastating law has gotten as far as it has. Florida is presently one of the best places in the country to ship wine. No permit is required, and you need file and pay taxes only in the month following the months you actually ship wine. Florida is also the fourth most populous state in the country and inevitably poised to take the number three spot from New York. This is a very serious threat to the right of self distribution and to consumer choice. We urge you to forward the sample letter in the alert below to your Florida customers immediately.
http://bit.ly/fqfvc3
Linked below is an alert from freethegrapes.org regarding a proposed law restricting direct shipment of wine in Florida. We are alarmed that this potentially devastating law has gotten as far as it has. Florida is presently one of the best places in the country to ship wine. No permit is required, and you need file and pay taxes only in the month following the months you actually ship wine. Florida is also the fourth most populous state in the country and inevitably poised to take the number three spot from New York. This is a very serious threat to the right of self distribution and to consumer choice. We urge you to forward the sample letter in the alert below to your Florida customers immediately.
http://bit.ly/fqfvc3
WSU Extension Enology & WA Wine Technical Group Presents: 2010 A Vintage in Review
WSU Extension Enology & WA Wine Technical Group Presents: 2010 A Vintage in Review
April 19, 2011 8:00 am - April 19, 2011 12:15 pm
IAREC, 24106 N. Bunn Road, Prosser, WA
This is a half-day event designed to discuss the difficult 2010 vintage. The event will feature
respected winemakers providing their opinion about the vintage and two technical discussions about strategies for dealing with high acid fruit and moldy or Botrytis infected fruit. There will be two panels at the end of each technical session and final comments by the president of the Washington Wine Technical Group. After the workshop is complete there will be a tour of the WSU Prosser Enology Winery and newly renovated laboratory with Dr. Jim Harbertson and Thomas Henick-Kling on hand to explain the new developments.
http://bit.ly/hpw5jJ
April 19, 2011 8:00 am - April 19, 2011 12:15 pm
IAREC, 24106 N. Bunn Road, Prosser, WA
This is a half-day event designed to discuss the difficult 2010 vintage. The event will feature
respected winemakers providing their opinion about the vintage and two technical discussions about strategies for dealing with high acid fruit and moldy or Botrytis infected fruit. There will be two panels at the end of each technical session and final comments by the president of the Washington Wine Technical Group. After the workshop is complete there will be a tour of the WSU Prosser Enology Winery and newly renovated laboratory with Dr. Jim Harbertson and Thomas Henick-Kling on hand to explain the new developments.
http://bit.ly/hpw5jJ
Wholesale Robbery in Liquor Sales
Dear FWWS Members:
The following article from the New York Times shows that we are not alone in our concerns, but are merely thinking globally and acting locally in our fight for market access and consumer choice.
Your FWWS Board
http://nyti.ms/dRyCPl
The following article from the New York Times shows that we are not alone in our concerns, but are merely thinking globally and acting locally in our fight for market access and consumer choice.
Your FWWS Board
http://nyti.ms/dRyCPl
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