By Christina Paciolla – cpaciolla@sjnewsco.com
An assemblywoman is working to push a package of bills that would boost the state’s presence in the beverage market by allowing wineries to operate also as breweries.
Celeste M. Riley, D-Bridgeton, is sponsoring legislation titled A-3063 that would establish a winery-brewery sublicence permitting wineries to produce malt alcoholic beverages for retail sale.
“For us, it’s agritourism at its best,” Riley said.
This piece of legislation came through Senate and needed a sponsor. When she saw it, she thought it was a great idea, she said.
“We, as the Garden State, should embrace it,” the assemblywoman said.
New Jersey is the fifth largest wine-producing state in the country and Riley thinks this package of bills will help wineries especially those in South Jersey greatly.
The second part of the bill would help promote the establishment of wineries in New Jersey by allowing small grape growers to share manufacturing responsibilities and costs under the creation of a new type of winery license the cooperative farm winery license.
Currently, a farm winery is only eligible for a license if all aspects of the manufacturing process occur at the same location where grapes are grown.
“I think this is something we can sink our teeth into in the southern part of the state,” said Riley.
She is also co-sponsoring a third bill, A-1702, that would permit the direct shipping of wine to New Jersey consumers and allow in-state wineries to ship to other states. That bill is pending action by the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee.
The other two bills have been referred to the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.
“This is a way to give winery farms another source of revenue,” Riley said. “It’s a great idea for allowing them to expand.”
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