OLYMPIA, Wash. — A bill is in motion to make small Washington wineries exempt from paying the Evergreen State’s wine tax. Senate Bill 5427 by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, went to a public hearing Thursday in front of the Washington Senate’s Agriculture, Water, Trade & Economic Development Committee. Currently, wine producers are taxed at a rate of almost 23 cents … [Read more...] about Tax relief bill for small Washington wineries moves along
Bill in Olympia would ease laws on alcohol at movies
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A bill is going through the Washington state Senate to allow more movie theaters to serve wine and other alcoholic beverages. Bill 5161 by Sen. Karen Keiser, D-Kent, would remove several restrictions on theaters being allowed to serve wine, beer and other alcohol. Right now to be eligible for a license to serve wine and alcohol, a theater must not have … [Read more...] about Bill in Olympia would ease laws on alcohol at movies
State legislators hear Washington wine will be ‘bigger than wheat’
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The state’s wine industry painted a rosy economic picture to the Washington State Senate Commerce, Labor & Sports Committee last week. “You’re telling me that that wine is gonna be bigger than wheat?” asked committee chairman Sen. Michael Baumgartner, R- Spokane. Steve Warner, president of the Washington State Wine Commission, said, “It’s gonna be … [Read more...] about State legislators hear Washington wine will be ‘bigger than wheat’
Lawmakers weigh 4th tasting room for Washington wineries
OLYMPIA, Wash. — There’s no opposition so far in Olympia after a state Legislature hearing to expand the number of allowable off-site wine tasting rooms in Washington state. The same could not be said about a bill to allow liquor licensees to sell growlers of wine. That concept received a mixed reception. Overall, the Washington House Commerce & Gaming Committee held … [Read more...] about Lawmakers weigh 4th tasting room for Washington wineries
Climate change presents possibilities, challenges for Washington wine industry
Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part report on the influence of climate change and how it might affect the Washington wine industry. There are an estimated 80 acres of vineyards in the Puget Sound region, but researchers believe changes in the climate could make for exponentially more possibilities. Greg Jones, a climate researcher at Southern Oregon University … [Read more...] about Climate change presents possibilities, challenges for Washington wine industry