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Bill

Bill

A 1684

Establishes license to allow wineries that produce more than 250,000 gallons per year to directly ship wine to consumers.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Clinton Calabrese and 5 co-sponsors

The bill creates a Direct Wine Shipping license allowing eligible wineries to ship up to 12 cases/year to adults 21+, with tax collection and regulatory requirements.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
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Bill Summary · A 1684

Overview

A 1684 (Session 222, New Jersey) establishes a Direct Wine Shipping license that allows certain wineries to directly ship wine to consumers. Specifically, it creates a pathway for New Jersey wineries and out-of-state wineries that produce more than 250,000 gallons per year to ship up to 12 cases of wine annually to individuals 21 or older, for personal consumption and not for resale. The bill amends R.S.33:1-10 to add this new license category and associated regulatory framework.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Expand direct-to-consumer wine shipping rights for larger-volume wineries.
  • Provide a regulated mechanism for direct shipping to adults, addressing a prior cap that blocked shipments from wineries exceeding 250,000 gallons per year.
  • Align licensing and tax collection requirements with direct-to-consumer sales.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Direct Wine Shipping License (2g):

    • Available to holders of a valid New Jersey winery license or a qualifying out-of-state winery license that owns interests in a winery producing more than 250,000 gallons per year.
    • Annual license fee: $938.
    • Shipping limit: up to 12 cases per year, each case up to 9 liters, to individuals 21+ for personal use (not for resale).
    • Requires copies of original invoices for enforcement and audit purposes (minimum 3-year retention at the licensed premises).
    • Tax collection: licensee must collect sales tax and pay applicable alcoholic beverage delivery tax; the Director of the Division of Taxation will issue regulations and may coordinate tax administration with sales tax.
    • Copied license from another state must accompany the application.

  • Continued or expanded license framework for other license types (as context):

    • The bill reorganizes and reiterates various winery, farm winery, and related licenses (Plenary winery, Farm winery, Out-of-State winery, etc.), with detailed licensing fees, production caps, retail sale rights, sampling rules, and shipment allowances consistent with New Jersey’s regulatory structure.

  • Definitions and scope:

    • Wine definitions include hard cider and mead for licensing purposes.
    • “Sampling” and “product” definitions clarified across winery-related licenses.
    • Production caps and ownership restrictions ensure no cross-ownership control that would circumvent caps on production tiers.

Affected Parties

  • New Jersey-based wineries holding a winery license.
  • Out-of-state wineries with licenses that either operate within or outside New Jersey and have production above 250,000 gallons annually.
  • Consumers aged 21 and older in New Jersey or other states who would receive direct shipments.
  • Licensing authorities: New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control and the Division of Taxation (for tax administration and regulations).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Application and regulatory steps: Requires promulgation of rules by the Director of the Division of Taxation to implement tax collection and coordination with sales tax administration.

Potential Impact

  • Expands direct-to-consumer sales opportunities for larger wineries while maintaining regulatory controls (invoicing, sampling limits, and age verification).
  • Introduces a new revenue channel for licensed wineries through the Direct Wine Shipping license.
  • Enhances compliance and enforcement through required documentation and state tax coordination.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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