Governor Signs Wine Tasting Bill at Shelburne Vineyard
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2009
Contact: Jeff Morton
Director of Communications
Vermont Chamber of Commerce
(802) 229-2273
jmorton@vtchamber.com
Governor Douglas Signs Wine Tasting Bill at Shelburne Vineyard
Governor Jim Douglas Signed a bill into law Tuesday at Shelburne Vineyard that opens new market opportunities for wineries in Vermont. The Vermont Chamber of Commerce Hospitality Council organized this event in partnership with the Governor’s office, Department of Liquor Control, and Shelburne Vineyard. “This bill will create more jobs and will grow that sector of our agricultural economy,” said Governor Douglas. “This is a great step forward to encourage growth in this state.”
The act, relating to tastings and sale of wines, fortified wines, and spirits allows wineries to sell products produced by other manufacturers at their manufacturing premises and at farmers markets; allows wineries to hold events on their licensed premises or vineyard property and in addition to sale by bottle, allows them to sell wine and beer by the glass or give a small amount for free for tasting purposes. In addition, the new law also allows wineries to rent their locations for events such as weddings and allows tasting of their wines and sale of wine and beer at the events.
"The Vermont Chamber Hospitality Council, which was instrumental in the inception of the Grape & Wine Council, has seen the number of Vermont's wineries and vineyards grow by more than 30 percent over the past two years. Thanks to the organizing efforts of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture and the wineries themselves, Vermont is well on its way to becoming New England's Napa Valley,” said Vicky Tebbetts, Vice President of the Vermont Hospitality Council. “We commend the legislature and the Vermont Department of Liquor Control for recognizing the importance of tourism and value-added agriculture, and making it a priority to open new markets and allow the growth of Vermont's wine industry."
In 2008, Vermont wineries produced more than 107,000 gallons of wine. There are now more than 20 wineries around the state and the wine industry in Vermont is a more than a $5 million a year industry according to the Vermont Agency of Agriculture.
“Wineries and vineyards are great examples of the continued diversification and evolution of Vermont’s agricultural heritage and working landscapes,” said Secretary Roger Allbee of the Agency of Agriculture.
The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has grown to become the largest state-wide private, not-for-profit business organization which represents nearly every sector of the state's corporate/hospitality community. Our mission is to create an economic climate conducive to business growth and the preservation of the Vermont quality of life.
