H.B. No. 3385 introduces a new chapter to the Alcoholic Beverage Code, establishing a "Farm Winery Permit" aimed at promoting and selling wine produced in Texas. The bill defines "Texas wine" as wine made from at least 75% fermented juice of grapes or other fruit grown in the state. It outlines the qualifications for obtaining a farm winery permit, which can only be issued to holders of a winery permit who either produce only Texas wine or produce a minimum of 50,000 gallons of Texas wine annually if they also produce non-Texas wine. The bill allows permit holders to operate up to five off-site locations for selling Texas wine and sets an annual sales limit of 250,000 gallons for off-premises consumption.

Additionally, the bill establishes a "Farm Winery Marketing Assistance Fund," which will be funded through permit fees and other sources, to support the promotion and marketing of farm wineries. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is tasked with adopting rules to implement the new provisions, including the process for issuing permits and managing exemptions for permit holders under certain circumstances. The permit fee is capped at $500 annually, with half of the revenue directed to the marketing assistance fund. The bill stipulates that the commission cannot issue farm winery permits until September 1, 2026, and it will take effect upon the adoption of the necessary rules or on September 1, 2025, if immediate effect is not achieved.

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