Our Commonwealth’s Limited Winery Act of 1968 established a pathway for the grape and wine industry to succeed by permitting direct-to-consumer sales, allowing small- to medium-sized wineries to connect with customers outside state-owned liquor stores. With a strong connection to production agriculture, the Limited Winery License requires the use of Pennsylvania fruit for wine production. However, loopholes in the law, coupled with court cases, have created unintended consequences impacting PA’s small businesses and their employees.
 
Pennsylvania wineries provide nearly $4 Billion in economic output to the commonwealth and our local communities.[1]  Nationally, Pennsylvania ranks fourth in wine production, behind California, Washington, and our neighbors to the north, New York. In Pennsylvania, you’re never further than an hour from a local winery!
 
Grape production in PA began in Philadelphia when William Penn first planted vineyards. Today, PA has more than 15,000 acres of grapevines. Vineyard owners and managers actively participate in their local agricultural communities, working to care for their land and the surrounding ecosystem for the long-term success of their vineyards. Their dedication helps tell Pennsylvania's agricultural story.
 
Our legislation will bolster the PA wine and grape industry by closing loopholes in the current winery licensing structure and strengthening the market for PA-grown grapes. This legislation will have no negative consequences for the current LCB system and will not affect any winery currently operating in accordance with the current law.
 
Please join us in supporting this solution to create a fairer collection and distribution system to prevent additional financial burdens at the local level, and to help us to better serve our constituents.