While it is up to individual wineries on how they deal with reduced federal excise taxes, industry leaders expect those savings to be reinvested in their operations. Changes in the federal excise tax on wineries went into effect on Jan. 1, following strong bipartisan support in Congress for the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act. “It is so much simpler than … [Read more...] about Wine industry advocates applaud 2-year trim in federal excise tax
Olympia gives Washington wineries more tasting rooms
OLYMPIA, Wash. - A bill awaits Gov. Jay Inslee’s signature to increase the number of allowable off-site tasting rooms per winery from two to four under a domestic winery license in Washington state. The House in the state Legislature approved minor changes by the Senate to its original bill 93-2 on Monday. The House overwhelming passed the original bill 94-4 on Feb. 28, and … [Read more...] about Olympia gives Washington wineries more tasting rooms
Most Washington wineries won’t need new wastewater permits
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington state's proposed winery wastewater permit system is expected to be applied to only 19 percent of the state’s wineries. That figure comes from Tuesday’s release of the Washington Department of Ecology’s draft permit documents. The state proposes making an annual production of 7,500 cases as the lower threshold of requiring a permit. “The wine … [Read more...] about Most Washington wineries won’t need new wastewater permits
State working on winery wastewater permit system
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Many questions are being tackled as the Washington state Department of Ecology puts together a permit system for discharging wastewater from wineries. Preliminary answers will likely be unveiled in mid-April when the state is expected to release a draft of the proposed permit system for a 60-day public comment period before the draft gets revised. “One of the … [Read more...] about State working on winery wastewater permit system
6 bills for Washington wineries alive in state Legislature
OLYMPIA, Wash. — It appears that Washington wineries are on their way to being able to operate as many as four tasting rooms. However, prospects look grim for a proposed tax break for small wineries. Overall, nine legislative subjects were introduced this session that could affect the state’s wine industry. Six are still alive, and three appear dead. Two of the bills … [Read more...] about 6 bills for Washington wineries alive in state Legislature