Dear Friends,
This is an unprecedented moment that we are living through and it is difficult, challenging, and uncertain. We will pull through by staying united and supportive of each other.
As you may know, the State Liquor Authority announced this morning that all licensed manufacturers with on-premises privileges must also cease on-premises sales (i.e., sales by the glass) of alcoholic beverages and/or food. It went into effect as of 8:00 PM on Monday, March 16. The full SLA guidance is available below. Please
feel free to send me
any clarifying questions you may have on the guidance and I will work with the SLA on answers.
The NYWGF team is working hard to keep you updated as the situation unfolds.
- Our staff will be working to collect relevant resources to help your business best respond to the crisis, we will provide the community with a dedicated page on our website, to be updated regularly.
- Our staff is planning to create an online forum to catalog industry best practices during this time. This will also be a place where industry members can communicate and share ideas. At the bottom of this email you will find links to resources and best practices.
- We continue to work with our partners in New York State Government to get up-to-date information on state regulatory changes and available resources.
Out of an abundance of caution and to promote social distancing, our office is suspending in-person member services and in-state travel. We will continue to provide our full range of member services by phone (315-924-3700) and email (
[email protected]
), Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The majority of our NYWGF team will be working remotely and is available and ready to help you with any issue, question, or concern.
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Sam Filler, Executive Director
New York Wine & Grape Foundation
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SLA Guidance for Wineries
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New York State Liquor Authority
Restrictions for Licensees in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020 at 8:00PM until Further Notice
Pursuant to the Governor’s order, effective Monday, March 16, 2020 at 8:00PM, all licensed on-premises establishments (e.g. restaurants, bars, taverns, clubs, arenas, catering establishments, etc.) must cease on-premises sales of alcoholic beverages and/or food. Additionally, all licensed manufacturers with on-premises privileges must also cease on-premises sales of alcoholic beverages and/or food; however, a licensed manufacturer may continue all manufacturing operations. This restriction shall continue until April 15, 2020 but may be extended or reduced depending upon the circumstances.
To aid in prevention of the spread of the coronavirus and assist businesses impacted by the current state of emergency, the Governor has ordered the State Liquor Authority (SLA) to promulgate guidance on new off-premises privileges for licensed businesses with on-premises privileges.
The State Liquor Authority offers the following guidance:
- Any on-premises licensee and any manufacturing licensee with on-premises retail privileges may sell for off-premises consumption any alcoholic beverages that it is able to sell for on premises consumption under the law. For example, a tavern wine licensee may sell beer, wine, cider, mead, and wine product, but not liquor, and a farm winery may sell any New York State labeled wine, beer, cider, mead, or liquor, but not non-New York State products unless it has an on-premises license as well.
- Alcoholic beverage sold for off-premises consumption pursuant to this guidance may be sold in any closed and sealed original container of any size. Provided that: The sale of each container shall be accompanied by the purchase of food; Sales should be consistent with municipal open container ordinances.
- Alcoholic beverages sold for off-premises consumption pursuant to this guidance may be sold for takeout from the licensed premises or may be delivered to the customer’s residence.
- Deliveries shall be made in a vehicle permitted by the Authority (e.g., a third-party delivery service), or a vehicle-owned and -operated, or hired and operated by the licensee or its employee. A copy of the permit or license must be present in the vehicle.
- Alcoholic beverages sold for off-premises consumption pursuant to this guidance may only be sold during the on-premises hours of operation of the county in which the premises is located or, if different, the hours of operation set forth in the licensee’s method of operation with the Authority.
Any licensed business found to be operating in violation of the Governor’s order restricting on-premises sales of alcoholic beverages shall face a monetary penalty (retail maximum of $10,000/manufacturer maximum of $100,000), and/or suspension, cancellation, or revocation of its license.
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Articles and Additional Resources...
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
Wine Economist:
Wine Spectator:
Legal Blog: Wine Reserve - A Wine Law Blog
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Coronavirus in the Workplace [Webinar]
Every Tuesday, March 17th - May 5th
Presented by Bond, Schoeneck & King
12:00PM to 1:00PM
The Impact of Coronavirus on Employers [Webinar]
Friday, March 20th
Presented by the Business Council of New York State, Inc
1:00 - 2:00 PM
A 2020 Vision for a Safe and Healthy Environment for Wineries & Vineyards [Webinar]
Wednesday, March 25th
Presented by NYWGF and American National’s Farm Family
Casualty Insurance Company
2:00PM to 3:00PM
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Communicating with Your Customers...
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One of the biggest concerns faced by wineries in times like this is proactive, honest, and clear communication with their customers. This type of communication, delivered regularly by your winery, is more important now than ever before. We encourage you to review some examples of these messages, crafted by your peers, as you create your own.
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