Oh, yes - Permits!
The alcohol trade is HEAVILY regulated, nearly all if it bent on collecting taxes. It also attempts to ensure that producers, distributors and retailers have no fiscal interest in each other.
It's also complicated. The 21st Amendment to the Constitution did not so much Repeal Prohibition, as it gave control of it to the States. Up until very recently, it has been universally interpreted as overriding the Constitutional guarantees of free trade among the States with regards to alcohol. This means that each State sets its own rules on shipping into that State. A powerful, monopolistic structure to distribute alcohol and ensure tax collection has evolved in this environment. Small wineries often have a hard time getting the attention of large distributors - who are required partners for nearly all interstate sales. Look at www.freethegrapes.org for more details.
But we still enjoy making wine - and drinking it!
Wineries require several permits:
 | Federal - US Treasury Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms Basic Alcohol Permit - documents ownership and funding sources Bonded Winery Premises Permit - describes the site geography, construction, security, operations, and environmental impact. Special Occupational Tax Stamp - required for operation |
| State - State Liquor Control Board Winery Permit - Like the federal basic permit and SOT Food Plant Processing Permit - This covers the food safety/health aspect |
| Local - County, Township or Municipal Alcohol Retail Permit - For onsite sales to consumers, often includes alcohol abuse and underage drinking law education. Retail Operators' Permits - Bartender's permits for salespeople. At least one operator must be in the tasting room at all times. |
Note: This is the general pattern for Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan. I'm sure other states vary a bit. Or even towns - for instance, Wisconsin allows townships to establish operator permits along with retail permits, and also registers salespersons and territories. Most States also require registration of each winery, label brand and even salespersons coming in from other States. This list also doesn't cover basic business registration or permits from the Federal (FEIN, SSA , FUTA), State (Sales Tax, Business Tax, Unemployment Insurance, etc.) or Local levels.
My suggestion to would-be wineries: Tackle all the levels in parallel. Call the National Revenue Center (number at www.ttb.gov) and get a federal info packet. Get a lawyer if you find college aid forms intimidating - this is worse. Do the same for your State equivalent of a Liquor Control Commission. Also at the State level, find out who your food/health inspector is and get them involved early. Don't bend over backwards for them - but listen to their advice (or pretend to). Double check your zoning at county/municipal levels, and also make sure you'll be able to get whatever retail permit you'll need for a tasting room (some places have quotas). You have to be ready to go (complete facilities) before you can complete the Federal (and State, probably) alcohol permits.
Good Luck! (And send me a bottle if this was helpful)
