20120412

NY roadside wine sales bill stuck in Assembly


ALBANY, NY -- The New York State Assembly is in the spotlight for supporters of a bill that would allow wines produced by farms, wineries or micro-wineries to be sold at roadside farm markets.

The Senate already has passed S.4242-A, but that was back on February 13. The same day it was delivered to the Assembly and 11 days later it was referred to its Committee on Economic Development as A9387-2011. And, there it sits nearly two months later.

In a joint statement, State Sen. William J. Larkin Jr. (R-C, 39th District), and Mike Oates, President and CEO of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp., said passage of the bill would mean "more local products will be available to shoppers in the area, opening up a new avenue of business for companies that are an integral part of a proud tradition of excellence right here in the Hudson Valley.

"In addition to the many wineries and vineyards in our region, the bill has the full support of the Hudson Valley Food and Beverage Alliance, a group that promotes and represents the wide range of organizations in the food and beverage industry that call our area home. Leading the way in this sector is the winemaking industry, which traces its roots in this region back hundreds of years."

If the bill passes the Assembly and is signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, it would allow the sale of specific wine products at roadside farm markets, as long as the stand is within 20 miles of where the wine is produced.

The stands would be under the supervision of the State Liquor Authority They would be allowed to sell wines from a maximum of two wineries each. Only wines by the bottle would be allowed for sale, and no tastings could be conducted.

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