House Bill 393

Chair's Name: Roger Williams

Committee: Regulated Industries

House Sponsor: Ron Stephens

HB 393 changes provisions related to farm wineries.  ‘Farm winery’ is redefined as a winery that: 1) makes at least 40% of its annual production from agricultural produce grown in the state in which the winery is located 2) is located on premises of which a substantial portion is used for growing agricultural produce used in the manufacture or production of wine by the winery, and 3) is owned and operated by people who are engaged in the production of a substantial portion of the agricultural produce used in its annual production. “Georgia farm winery” is also defined as a farm winery licensed by the commissioner to manufacture wine in Georgia.

The commissioner can authorize any Georgia farm winery to offer wine samples and make retail sales of its wine and the wine of any other Georgia farm winery in tasting rooms at the winery and at five additional locations in the state for consumption on the premises and in closed packages for consumption off the premises. A licensed farm winery may also be authorized to sell farm and non-farm wine for consumption on premises or in facilities adjacent to and owned by the winery where permitted by law. Section 3 of the bill strikes and reserves the code section regarding content requirements for wines manufactured by domestic and farm wineries. 

This committee substitute comes to the House Floor under the Modified Structured Rule.

Chairman Williams’ opinion of this legislation:

This legislation makes Georgia’s farm winery law compliant with the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling. It provides marketing opportunity through tasting room sales and improves access to farm wines to GA and to other states in a regulated and controlled manner.