This week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed groundbreaking legislation, S.2852A/A.3132A, permitting producers of spirits, cider, and mead to ship directly to New York consumers. This new law significantly enhances market opportunities for the state’s burgeoning craft beverage industry, enabling producers to deliver their unique products straight to customers both…
Tag: New York State
NYSLA Restricts On-Premises Sales in Response to COVID-19
In response to Governor Cuomo’s order, the New York State Liquor Authority (“NYSLA”) issued restrictions to licensees with respect to the COVID-19 outbreak, effective Monday, March 16, 2020 at 8:00 PM ET. Per the NYSLA, all licensed on-premises establishments (including restaurants, bars, taverns, clubs, arenas, catering establishments, etc.) must stop on-premises…
New York Farm Distilleries Now Allowed to Serve Wine, Beer, and Cider for On-Premise Consumption
On July 25, 2017, Governor Cuomo signed legislation to allow New York farm distilleries to sell wine, beer, and cider labelled as “New York State” for on-premises consumption. See Governor Cuomo Signs Legislation to Allow Farm Distilleries to Sell New York State Labelled Beer, Wine, and Cider for On-Premises Consumption. Previously, New…
CIDER WEEK: So You Want To Start Your Own Cidery (Session 2)
Our first Cider Week session event sold our for October 25th, so we added a second event on Saturday, October 29th. Please see below for more information. On October 29th at 6:00 PM, I will be speaking at Wassail for New York City Cider Week. The event is So You Want To Start Your Own…
Empire Wine Bill Passes in New York Senate
The “Empire Wine Bill” (version 2.0) passed in the New York State Senate on Friday, June 17th per the New York State Assembly website. The matching Assembly bill, A10248, passed earlier on June 15th. The summary of the Senate bill is as follows: Relates to clarifying the basis upon which the state liquor authority has…
Empire Wine Bill Passes in Assembly
The “Empire Wine Bill” (version 2.0) passed in the New York State Assembly on Wednesday, June 15th per the New York State Assembly website. The matching Senate bill, S07728, has not yet passed and shows no action on the bill’s page other than an entry for May 12, 2016. The summary…
Empire Strikes Back: New Bill Appears in New York’s Senate and Assembly
Two new bills have been introduced to New York’s Senate and Assembly on May 12th and May 18th (respectively), sponsored by New York State Senator Phil Boyle and Assembly Member Philip Steck. The bills are very similar to the “Empire Wine Bill” that appeared in both the Senate and Assembly last…
Summary of Cuomo’s First Alcohol Beverage Industry Working Group Meeting
Last Thursday I attended the first open meeting of Governor Cuomo’s new alcohol beverage industry working group. The group, whose main mission is to modernize New York’s alcohol beverage laws by reviewing current statutory provisions, spent the entire meeting identifying a list of issues for further discussion and/or consideration. The first…
NYSLA Must Release Communications and Cuomo Announces Industry Working Group
Last week, as reported by the Times Union, a decision by Acting Supreme Court Justice Debra Young ruled against the New York State Liquor Authority (“NYSLA”) with respect to an ongoing legal battle with Colonie-based retailer Empire Wine. See In Empire Wine Case, SLA Must Release Communications With Illinois Officials. Empire originally sought production…
New York Legislature Amends Tax Law To Help Small Wineries
In recent news, the Assembly and Senate of New York both passed a bill to amend the state’s tax law. The bill proposed a change to the current law which would significantly help small wineries within the state. The summary of the bill provides that it “[e]xempts certain wineries from…