Session Begins
Today marks the first day of the 2010 Washington State Legislative Session! This short Session will run 60 consecutive days and is set to adjourn March 11, 2010.
As you know, WWI works ?round the clock in Olympia during the Legislative Session to protect your interests. Expect regular reports from the Hill, with details on wine-related legislation, updates on legislative activities and, when necessary, calls to action on important legislation. Later this week, check your inbox for details on our 2010 agenda and no new wine taxes defense.
We?re at your service all Session long, so don?t hesitate to call or email us with your questions and comments. Call us at (360) 352-1557 or email us at
info@washingtonwineinsitute.org.
"Taste Our Best" Olympia Reception
We hope you can join us for the annual ?Taste Our Best? event in Olympia! WWI is again partnering with the WA Restaurant Association to host a legislative reception showcasing WA wines and foods. The event will take place January 25th at 5pm in Olympia. The reception is always extremely well attended by Legislators and staff and an excellent opportunity to show off your wines while chatting with the people shaping policy in our state. If you are interested in participating, please contact Craig at info@washingtonwineinsitute.org for details.
Sharon Foster Appointed to Washington State Liquor Control Board
Sharon Foster was appointed as the Washington State Liquor Control Board Chair, effective August 16, 2009.
Sharon is a retired self employed contract lobbyist who lives in Olympia. She retired in 2004 and was a lobbyist for 20 years. Among her clients were the YMCA, the Council of Youth Agencies, the California Wine Institute, NARAL, Community Mental Health, the Washington Restaurant Association, Oracle and Traffic Safety Education.
Prior to becoming a registered lobbyist Sharon was the State of Washington Director of the YMCA Youth and Government Program, which she ran for 10 years and an employee of the YMCA of the USA.
Sharon has been on the Heritage Park Board, overseers of the park area surrounding Capitol Lake on the campus of the Washington State Capitol, for 20 years and more recently a steering committee member of Oly 2012, a citizens group dedicated to enhancing the viability of downtown Olympia.
Sharon was raised in Mt. Vernon, WA and now resides in Olympia with her husband Dean. They have 5 children and enjoy many wonderful grandchildren.
Washington State Label Approval no longer required for wines, effective August 19, 2009
In an action supported by WWI, the Liquor Control Board adopted a new policy on wine label approval.
Wineries are no longer required to apply for state label approval for your wines sold in Washington state. Effective August 19, 2009, the WSLCB will accept the federal Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) as label approval for beer and wine to be sold in the state of Washington. Producers will no longer be required to apply for state label approval. Wineries will still need to file their COLAs with the Board. Alcohol and keg products that do not require Federal label approval are approved to sell immediately.
Please contact WWI with any questions.
Washington Wine Institute Applauds 2009 Legislation That Helps Improve and Streamline State's Wine Regulation
OLYMPIA, WA--(Marketwire - May 18, 2009) - New legislation signed last week by Gov. Christine Gregoire will go a long way to help improve, modernize and streamline Washington State's complicated laws and regulations impacting the state's burgeoning wine industry, the Washington Wine Institute said today.
"We had a very busy, but successful and productive agenda in 2009," said Jean Leonard, executive director. "Most of the liquor laws were adopted long before Washington's wine industry existed. It's taken a dedicated effort over many years by the Institute and our members, as well as other
stakeholders and Legislators, to change these laws in positive ways that address the industry's current needs."
Leonard said the new laws, which go into effect July 26, will significantly revise the state's current liquor control system by addressing many "wine pricing" issues raised by the Costco litigation. The
newly enacted legislation will help eliminate barriers to market, such as archaic "post & hold" requirements, mandatory minimum mark-up, and some issues regarding extension of credit. New laws also repeal some provisions that were adopted after prohibition to inhibit marketing of alcohol, Leonard said.
Institute president Marty Clubb of L'Ecole No. 41 Winery said the new legislation will provide increased opportunities for wine promotion and marketing as well as investments between wineries and retailers. These changes ultimately will have a positive impact on consumers, Clubb said.
"Washington already has some of the most progressive laws on direct-to-consumer and retail sales," Clubb said. "Now our wineries will have some of the broadest privileges available to wineries anywhere in the country."
As in past years, the Institute worked closely with the Legislature, the Governor's office, the Liquor Control Board and other relevant stakeholders to make the laws work for the industry. Lorraine Lee, chairman of the state's Liquor Control Board, said the new legislation demonstrates a "watershed change" that is "progressive and forward thinking" for the industry. She said the new approach strives for "simplification, modernization and flexibility in our liquor laws," but reinforced that the Liquor Control Board believes it can reach these goals without sacrificing the agency's top priority, public safety.
Robin Pollard, executive director of the Washington Wine Commission, echoed that statement, saying that the Institute has worked carefully and strategically for changes to liquor law that enable Washington wineries of all shapes and sizes to grow and prosper while still supporting laws prohibiting dangerous or underage drinking.
The Institute also supported legislation requiring wines labeled "Washington" to contain 95 percent of Washington-grown grapes.
"With more than 600 wineries all across the state, the wine industry is a major contributor to Washington's economy," said Dan Newhouse, director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture. "While we may not be the largest volume producer in the country, it's our commitment to quality that makes us competitive. When consumers see Washington on the label, they know they are getting an excellent product made by skilled vintners from some of the finest grapes available."
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