Legal Issues in the Wine Industry

Legal Issues in the Wine Industry
May 2, 2009

Our Legal Issues in the Wine Industry class met on May 2nd at Cardinal Point Winery. Our instructor was Terri Cofer Beirne, Esq., Eastern Counsel for The Wine Institute. The Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy association for California wineries.

Students received a large three-inch binder full of information and resources. Among other things, Terri gave students:

• a general understanding of the federal and state legal and regulatory schemes that enable the production and sale of alcohol in Virginia
• exposure to the key Virginia laws that govern the production of farm wine
• a general understanding of the limitations that counties can place on the sale, distribution and marketing of farm wine, as well as ancillary activities at farm wineries
• access to information about the resources available to find answers to specific questions about most aspects of owning and running a winery
• exposure to public policy issues that are currently shaping the production, distribution and sale of Virginia wine.

Here are some Virginia wine facts:

• Virginia is the home of six "American Viticulture Areas" (AVA) designations. An AVA is a grape-growing region defined by its geographic features which affect the type and style of wine that it produces.
• Currently, Virginia has about 145 wineries and about 275 vineyards
• Virginia is home to eleven 'Virginia Wine Trails.'
• Virginia is eighth in the nation for wine production.

This class is essential for anyone interested in the Virginia wine industry. As one student said (whose family owns a vineyard and winery), "I had more questions answered in one day then I've had in years."

Here are some pictures of class and Cardinal Point Winery. For more information on Cardinal Point Winery, visit their website: http://www.cardinalpointwinery.com.

For more information on the Wine Institute, visit their website: http://www.wineinstitute.org.

Next week: Vineyard Management class.