Articles
Brewpubs: Caught in the Regulatory Crossfire
Brewpubs are strange hybrids. Because they span the no-man’s land between the retail and supplier tiers, they are handled in unique ways by state regulatory agencies.
Business Changes That Affect Your License
To keep your license in good standing requires more than just renewing it. You also need to bring it up-to-date whenever your company makes changes in ownership, management, or operations.
Compliance and the Laws of Physics
Very little is black and white in alcoholic beverage compliance. Here are four laws of “compliance relativity” to help guide your business in a relative regulatory environment.
Compliance, Diplomacy, and the Bottom Line
Unfavorable government relations are the hidden high costs of a bad compliance job — but those costs are avoidable. This article explains four characteristics of a GOOD job in government compliance.
Custom Crush or Shared Premise?
It is no longer a million dollar prospect to start a winery. By entering into an alternating proprietorship, a grape grower or brand builder can become a vintner with just a few barrels to his name.
Follow the Rules for Label Approval
A third of all wine label applications are rejected. To obtain approval requires understanding many regulations, policies and procedures. Here is a summary of the important ones.
Geographic Brands: An Endangered Species?
Contains a detailed report on the battle between Napa Valley Vintners Association and Bronco Wine Company over use of geographic brand names, and information on the “Napa truth in labeling law.”
Home Winemaker Makes Good: Getting Started in the Wine Industry
Advice for amateur wine makers on how to create their own winery legally.
Marketing and Compliance: The Eternal Tug of War
Regulatory agencies are always watching vintners to make sure they don’t use illegal marketing methods. Beware that your new promotional program does not violate the three tier laws.
Mistakes Happen: The Ins and Outs of Label Use-Ups, Part One
Part One of this article describes the two most common wine labeling mistakes wineries make — and what to do when it happens to you.
Mistakes Happen: The Ins and Outs of Label Use-Ups, Part Two
Part Two of this article explains when you can expect a conditional label approval, when you can’t, and some tips for avoiding the need for a use up (temporary label approval).
Permits, Approvals, Licenses, Notices, Certificates…
What you don’t know can hurt you! Here’s an invaluable preview of all the governmental processes you’ll need to handle BEFORE opening your alcoholic beverage-related business.
Shiners: A Primer on Unlabeled Wine
Bottles that come off the bottling line without labels, aka shiners, need extra compliance care to avoid regulatory violations. And the penalties for slipping can be painful.
So You Want to Get Married: How is Your Relationship with Wholesalers?
This article will provide you with the basic principles that govern winery-wholesaler relationships. Don’t get hitched without knowing the rules.
The Fine Art of Asking Questions
It’s virtually impossible to know everything about the regulations for wine. Asking the right questions is key to find out what you need to know.
The No No-Way: How to Win with Bureaucracy
There’s a fine art to getting a “yes” from a government regulator — and you too can do it, if you follow the principles and guidelines given in this article.
The Rules of the Winery Name Game
Two important choices a new winery owner or brand builder makes are what to call his business and what to call his product. It’s easy to lose big if you don’t play by the rules of the name game.
The Tao of Compliance
Alcoholic beverage compliance is a complex world; and a good compliance person must respect not just the laws of the land, but also the more subtle laws that govern human interactions.
Tied House: Pillar of Alcohol Regulation
There are several different ways to transfer a wine business to new ownership, and different reasons to do it — some of which unplanned, like death and divorce. This article helps you understand the options in advance.
Winning at Local Politics
In addition to state and federal approvals, new brewpubs have local hurdles to leap. What do the zoning rules have to say about your plans? What do the neighbors think? Look ahead, and plan for success.