HSB 127

This bill creates a new special class “C” retail native wine license which can be obtained by a person engaged in the business of manufacturing native wine. The license authorizes the holder to sell native wine purchased from a native winery holding a class “A” wine permit only at retail for consumption on or off the premises. A person holding the new special class “C” retail native wine license is also allowed to make sales of native wine in a container other than the original container only if certain requirements related to transferring the wine and sealing the container are met. A container of wine that is sold and sealed in compliance with the requirements of the bill shall not be deemed an open container. The fee for the new license is $125. The bill authorizes a person engaged in the business of manufacturing wine to be granted not more than two special class “C” retail native wine licenses. Current law provides that a person engaged in the business of manufacturing wine may only be granted up to two class “C” retail alcohol licenses. A class “C” retail alcohol license authorizes the holder to purchase and sell alcoholic liquor, wine, and beer.