§ 60-8-3 — Licenses; fees; general restrictions

West Virginia § 60-8-3

• Jurisdiction: West Virginia
• Ch. 60: STATE CONTROL OF ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS
• Art. 8: SALE OF WINES

Text

(a) No person may engage in business in the capacity of a winery, farm winery, supplier, distributor, retailer, private wine bed and breakfast, private wine restaurant, private wine spa, or wine specialty shop without first obtaining a license from the commissioner, nor shall a person continue to engage in any activity after his or her license has expired, been suspended, or revoked. No person may be licensed simultaneously as a distributor and a retailer. No person, except for a winery or farm winery, may be licensed simultaneously as a supplier and a retailer. No person except for a winery or farm winery holding a multi-capacity winery or farm winery license may be licensed simultaneously as a supplier and a private wine bed and breakfast, private wine restaurant, or a private wine spa. No person may be licensed simultaneously as a distributor and a private wine bed and breakfast, a private wine restaurant, or a private wine spa. No person except for a winery or farm winery or holding a multi-capacity winery or farm winery license may be licensed simultaneously as a retailer and a private wine bed and breakfast, a private wine restaurant, or a private wine spa. Any person who is licensed to engage in any business concerning the manufacture, sale, or distribution of wine may also engage in the manufacture, sale, or distribution of hard cider without obtaining a separate hard cider license.

(b) The commissioner shall collect an annual fee for licenses issued under this article as follows:

(1) One hundred fifty dollars per year for a supplier’s license;

(2) Two thousand five hundred dollars per year for a distributor’s license and each separate warehouse or other facility from which a distributor sells, transfers, or delivers wine shall be separately licensed and there shall be collected with respect to each location, the annual license fee of $2,500 as provided in this subdivision;

(3) One hundred fifty dollars per year for a retailer’s license;

(4) Two hundred fifty dollars per year for a wine specialty shop license, in addition to any other licensing fees paid by a winery or retailer holding a license. Except for the amount of the license fee and the restriction to sales of winery or farm winery wines, a winery, or farm winery acting as a wine specialty shop retailer is subject to all other provisions of this article which are applicable to a wine specialty shop retailer as defined in §60-8-2 of this code;

(5) One hundred fifty dollars per year for a wine tasting license;

(6) One hundred fifty dollars per year for a private wine bed and breakfast license. Each separate bed and breakfast from which a licensee sells wine shall be separately licensed and there shall be collected with respect to each location the annual license fee of $150 as provided in this subdivision;

(7) Two hundred fifty dollars per year for a private wine restaurant license. Each separate restaurant from which a licensee sells wine shall be separately licensed and there shall be collected with respect to each location the annual license fee of $250 as provided in this subdivision;

(8) One hundred fifty dollars per year for a private wine spa license. Each separate private wine spa from which a licensee sells wine shall be separately licensed and there shall be collected with respect to each location the annual license fee of $150 as provided in this subdivision;

(9) One hundred fifty dollars per year for a wine sampling license issued for a wine specialty shop under subsection (n) of this section;

(10) No fee for a special one-day license under subsection (p) of this section or for a heritage fair and festival license under subsection (q) of this section;

(11) One hundred fifty dollars per year for a direct shipper’s license for a licensee who sells and ships only wine and $250 per year for a direct shipper’s license who ships and sells wine, nonfortified dessert wine, port, sherry, or Madeira wines;

(12) Three hundred fifty dollars per year for a multi-capacity winery or farm winery license which enables the holder to operate as a retailer, wine specialty shop, supplier, and direct shipper without obtaining an individual license for each capacity; and

(13) Two hundred fifty dollars per year for a hard cider distributor’s license. Each separate warehouse or other facility from which a distributor sells, transfers, or delivers hard cider shall be separately licensed and there shall be collected with respect to each location the annual license fee of $250 as provided in this subdivision:Provided, That if a licensee is licensed as a nonintoxicating beer or nonintoxicating beer distributor, then there is no additional license fee to distribute hard cider.

(c) The license period begins on July 1 of each year and ends on June 30 of the following year and if granted for a less period, the fee shall be computed semiannually in proportion to the remainder of the fiscal year.

(d) No retailer may be licensed as a private club as provided by §60-7-1et seq. of this code, except as provided by subsection (k) of this section.

(e) No retailer may be licensed as a Class A retail dealer in nonintoxicating beer as provided by §11-16-1et seq. of this code:Provided, That a delicatessen, a caterer, or party supply store, which is a grocery store as defined in §60-8-2 of this code, and which is licensed as a Class A retail dealer in nonintoxicating beer may be a retailer under this article:Provided, however, That any delicatessen, caterer, or party supply store licensed in both capacities shall maintain average monthly sales exclusive of sales of wine and nonintoxicating beer which exceed the average monthly sales of nonintoxicating beer.

(f) A wine specialty shop under this article may also hold a wine tasting license authorizing the retailer to serve complimentary samples of wine in moderate quantities for tasting. The wine specialty shop shall organize a wine taster’s club, which has at least 50 duly elected or approved dues-paying members in good standing. The club shall meet on the wine specialty shop’s premises not more than one time per week and shall either meet at a time when the premises are closed to the general public, or meet in a separate segregated facility on the premises to which the general public is not admitted. Attendance at tastings shall be limited to duly elected or approved dues-paying members and their guests.

(g) A retailer who has more than one place of retail business shall obtain a license for each separate retail establishment. A retailer’s license may be issued only to the proprietor or owner of a bona fide grocery store or wine specialty shop.

(h)(1) The commissioner may issue a license for the retail sale of wine at any fair or festival which is endorsed or sponsored by the governing body of a municipality or a county commission. The license shall be issued for a term of no longer than 10 consecutive days and the fee for the license is $250 regardless of the term of the license. The application for the license shall contain information required by the commissioner and shall be submitted to the commissioner at least 30 days prior to the first day when wine is to be sold at the any fair or festival.

(2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, if the applicant for the fair or festival license is the manufacturer of the wine, a winery, or a farm winery as defined in §60-1-5a of this code, and the event is located on the premises of a winery or a farm winery, then the license fee is $50 per fair or festival.

(3) A licensed winery or a farm winery, which has the fair or festival licensee’s written authorization and approval from the commissioner, may, in addition to, or in conjunction with the fair and festival licensee, exhibit, conduct complimentary tastings, or sell samples not to exceed six, three-fluid ounce, tastings or samples per patron, or serve wine by the glass for consumption on the premises during the operation of a fair or festival only; and may sell wine by the bottle for on-premises consumption, when consumed by the glass, and sealed bottles of wine for off-premises consumption:Provided, That for licensed wineries or farm wineries at a licensed fair or festival; tastings, samples, on-premises sales, and off-premises sales shall occur under the hours of operation as required in this article, except on Sunday, tastings, samples, and off-premises sales are unlawful between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

(4) A fair or festival license may be issued to a “wine club” as defined in this subdivision for a license fee of $250. The festival or fair committee or the governing body shall designate a person to organize a club under a name which includes the name of the fair or festival and the words “wine club”. The license shall be issued in the name of the wine club. A licensee may not sell wine as provided in this subdivision until the wine club has at least 50 dues-paying members who have been enrolled, and to whom membership cards have been issued. Thereafter, new members may be enrolled and issued membership cards at any time during the period for which the license is issued. A wine club licensed under the provisions of this subdivision may sell wine only to its members, and in portions not to exceed eight ounces per serving. The sales shall take place on-premises or in an area cordoned or segregated so as to be closed to the general public, and the general public shall not be admitted to the premises or area. A wine club licensee under the provisions of this subdivision may serve complimentary samples of wine in moderate quantities for tasting. A wine club may not make wine purchases from a direct shipper where the wine may be consumed on the licensed premises of any Class A private wine retail licensee or private club licensee. A wine club which violates the provisions of this subdivision is subject to the penalties in this article.

(5) A licensed winery or farm winery approved to participate in a fair or festival under the provisions of this section and the licensee holding the license, or the licensed winery or farm winery approved to attend a licensed fair or festival, is subject to all other provisions of this article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the license:Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order provide for certain waivers or exceptions with respect to the provisions, rules, or orders required by the circumstances of each fair or festival, including, without limitation, the right to revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding the provisions §60-8-27 and §60-8-28 of this code:Provided, however, That under no circumstances shall the provisions of §60-8-20(c) or §60-8-20(d) of this code, be waived nor shall any exception be granted with respect to those subsections.

(6) A license issued under the provisions of this section and the licensee holding the license are not subject to the provisions of subsection (g) of this section.

(7) An unlicensed winery temporarily licensed and meeting the requirements set forth in subsection (q) of this section may conduct the same sampling and sales set forth in subsection (q) of this section at a licensed fair and festival upon approval of the licensee holding the fair and festival license and temporary and limited licensure by the commissioner. An unlicensed winery is subject to the same limits, fees, requirements, restrictions, and penalties set forth in subsection (q) of this section:Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order provide for certain waivers or exceptions with respect to the provisions, rules, or orders required by the circumstances of each fair or festival. The commissioner may revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding the provisions §60-8-27 and §60-8-28 of this code:Provided, however, That under no circumstances shall the provisions of §60-8-20(c) or §60-8-20(d) of this code be waived nor shall any exception be granted with respect to those subsections.

(i)(1) The commissioner may issue a special license for the retail sale of wine in a professional baseball stadium. A license to sell wine granted pursuant to this subsection entitles the licensee to sell and serve wine for consumption in a professional baseball stadium. For the purpose of this subsection, “professional baseball stadium” means a facility constructed primarily for the use of a major or minor league baseball franchisee affiliated with the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, Inc., or its successor, and used as a major or minor league baseball park. Any special license issued pursuant to this subsection shall be for a term beginning on the date of issuance and ending on the next following June 30, and its fee is $250 regardless of the length of the term of the license. The application for the special license shall contain information required by the commissioner and must be submitted to the commissioner at least 30 days prior to the first day when wine is to be sold at the professional baseball stadium. The special license may be issued in the name of the baseball franchisee or the name of the primary food and beverage vendor under contract with the baseball franchisee. These sales must take place within the confines of the professional baseball stadium. The exterior of the area where wine sales may occur shall be surrounded by a fence or other barrier prohibiting entry except upon the franchisee’s express permission, and under the conditions and restrictions established by the franchisee, so that the wine sales area is closed to free and unrestricted entry by the general public.

(2) A license issued under this subsection and the licensee holding the license are subject to all other provisions of this article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the special license:Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order grant certain waivers or exceptions to those rules or orders required by the circumstances of each professional baseball stadium. The commissioner may revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding §60-8-27 and §60-8-28 of this code:Provided, however, That under no circumstances may §60-8-20(c) or §60-8-20(d) of this code be waived nor shall any exception be granted concerning those subsections.

(3) The commissioner may propose legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with §29A-3-1et seq. of this code to implement this subsection.

(j) A license to sell wine granted to a private wine bed and breakfast, private wine restaurant, private wine spa, or a private club under the provisions of this article entitles the operator to sell and serve wine, for consumption on the premises of the licensee, when the sale accompanies the serving of food or a meal to its members and their guests in accordance with the provisions of this article:Provided, That a licensed private wine bed and breakfast, private wine restaurant, private wine spa, or a private club may permit a person over 21 years of age to purchase wine, consume wine, and recork or reseal, using a tamper resistant cork or seal, up to two separate bottles of unconsumed wine in conjunction with the serving of food or a meal to its members and their guests in accordance with the provisions of this article and in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner for the purpose of consumption of the wine off premises:Provided, however, That a licensed private wine restaurant or a private club may offer for sale, for consumption off-premises, sealed bottles of wine to its customers provided that no more than one bottle is sold per each person over 21 years of age, as verified by the private wine restaurant or private club, for consumption off-premises. The licensees may keep and maintain on its premises a supply of wine in quantities appropriate for the conduct of operations thereof. Any sale of wine is subject to all restrictions set forth in §60-8-20 of this code. A private wine restaurant may also be licensed as a Class A retail dealer in nonintoxicating beer as provided by §11-16-1et seq. of this code.

(k) With respect to subsections (h), (i), (j), (o), and (p) of this section, the commissioner shall propose legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with §29A-1-1et seq. of this code, including, but not limited to, the form of the applications and the suitability of both the applicant and location of the licensed premises.

(l) The commissioner shall propose legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with the provisions of §29A-1-1et seq. of this code to allow restaurants to serve wine with meals and to sell wine by the bottle for off-premises consumption as provided in subsection (j) of this section. Each licensed restaurant shall be charged an additional $100 per year fee.

(m) The commissioner shall establish guidelines to permit wines to be sold in all stores licensed for retail sales.

(n) Wineries and farm wineries may advertise off premises as provided in §17-22-7 of this code.

(o) A licensed wine specialty shop under this article may also hold a wine sampling license authorizing the wine specialty shop to conduct special wine sampling events at its location during regular hours of business. The wine specialty shop may serve up to six complimentary samples of wine, consisting of no more than three fluid ounces each, to any one consumer per day. Persons serving the samples shall be 21 years of age or older and an authorized representative of the licensed wine specialty shop, winery, farm winery, or a representative of a distributor or registered supplier. Distributor and supplier representatives attending wine sampling events shall register with the commissioner. No licensee, employee, or representative may furnish, give, sell, or serve samples of wine to any person less than 21 years of age or to a person who is physically incapacitated due to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the use of drugs. The wine specialty shop shall notify and secure permission from the commissioner for all wine sampling events 30 days prior to the event. Wine sampling events may not exceed six hours per calendar day. Licensees shall purchase all wines used during these events from a licensed farm winery or a licensed distributor.

(p) The commissioner may issue special one-day licenses to duly organized, nonprofit corporations and associations allowing the sale and serving of wine, and may, if applicable, also allow the charitable auctioning of certain sealed bottles of wine for off-premises consumption only, when raising money for athletic, charitable, educational, or religious purposes. “Auction or auctioning”, for the purposes of this subsection, means any silent, physical act, or verbal bid auction, whether or not the auction requires in-presence bidding or online Internet-based electronic bidding through a secure application or website, but shall not include any action in violation of §47-20-10, §47-20-11, or §61-10-1et seq. of this code. The license application shall contain information required by the commissioner and shall be submitted to the commissioner at least 30 days prior to the event. Accompanying the license application, the applicant shall submit a signed and notarized statement that at least 80 percent of the net proceeds from the charitable event will be donated directly to the nonprofit corporation or organization. Wines used during these events may be donated by, or purchased from, a licensed retailer, a distributor, winery, or a farm winery. A licensed winery or farm winery which is authorized in writing by a representative of the duly organized, nonprofit corporation or association which has obtained the one-day license; is in good standing with the state; and obtains the commissioner’s approval prior to the one-day license event may, in conjunction with the one-day licensee, exhibit, conduct complimentary tastings, sell samples not to exceed six, three-fluid ounce tastings or samples per patron, sell wine by the glass or by the bottle, when consumed by the glass, for consumption on-premises during the operation of the one-day license event and may sell certain sealed wine bottles manufactured by the licensed winery or farm winery for off-premises consumption:Provided, That for a licensed winery or farm winery at a licensed one-day event, the tastings, samples, on-premises sales, and off-premises sales of its wine shall occur under the hours of operation permitted by this article, except on Sunday, tastings, samples, on-premises sales, and off-premises sales of its wine are unlawful between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., from the one-day licensee’s submitted floor plan for the event subject to the requirements in the code and rules. Under no circumstances may the provisions of §60-8-20(c) or §60-8-20(f) of this code be waived nor may any exception be granted with respect to those subsections.

(q)(1) In addition to the authorization granted to licensed wineries and farm wineries in subsections (h) and (p) of this section, an unlicensed winery, regardless of its designation in another state, that is duly licensed in its domicile state, may pay a $150 nonrefundable and non-prorated fee and submit an application for temporary licensure on a one-day basis for temporary sampling and sale of wine in sealed containers for off-premises consumption at a special one-day license nonprofit event.

(2) The application shall include, but is not limited to, the person or entity’s name, address, taxpayer identification number, and location; a copy of its licensure in its domicile state; a signed and notarized verification that it produces 50,000 gallons or less of wine per year; a signed and notarized verification that it is in good standing with its domicile state; copies of its federal certificate of label approvals and certified lab alcohol analysis for the wines it desires to temporarily provide samples and temporarily sell wine in sealed containers for off-premises consumption at a special one-day license for a nonprofit event issued under subsection (p) of this section; and any other information as the commissioner may reasonably require:Provided, That the background investigation requirement set forth in §60-8-16 of this code is inapplicable to licenses authorized by this subdivision.

(3) The applicant winery shall include a list of all wines proposed to be temporarily sampled and temporarily sold by the glass or bottle, when consumed by the glass, for on-premises consumption or in sealed containers for off-premises consumption at a special one-day license for a nonprofit event so that the wines may be reviewed in the interest of public health and safety. Once approved, the submitted wine list creates a temporary wine brand registration for up to two special one-day licenses for a nonprofit event for no additional fee.

(4) An applicant winery that receives this temporary special one-day license for a nonprofit event shall provide the commissioner a signed and notarized written agreement acknowledging that the applicant winery understands its responsibility to pay all municipal, local, and sales taxes applicable to the sale of wine in West Virginia.

(5) An application must be submitted for each special one-day license for a nonprofit event the applicant winery desires to attend, and the license fee shall cover up to two special one-day licenses for nonprofit events before an additional fee is required. In no circumstance would the winery be permitted to attend more than four special one-day licensed events. Any applicant or unlicensed winery desiring to attend more than four special one-day license for nonprofit events per year or otherwise operate in West Virginia would need to seek appropriate licensure as a winery or a farm winery in this state.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of this article and requirements for licensure, wine brand registration, payment of wine liter tax, and the winery’s appointment of suppliers and distributors, this temporary special one-day license for a nonprofit event, once granted, permits a winery to operate in this limited capacity only at the approved specific, special one-day license for a nonprofit event subject to the limitations contained in this section.

(7) The applicant winery shall also apply for and receive a transportation permit to legally transport wine in the state per §60-6-12 of this code.

(8) The applicant winery is subject to all applicable violations and/or penalties under this article and the legislative rules that are not otherwise excepted by this subsection:Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order provide for certain waivers or exceptions with respect to the provisions, rules, or orders required by the circumstances of each fair or festival. The commissioner may revoke or suspend any license issued pursuant to this article, prior to any notice or hearing.

(r) The commissioner may issue special licenses to heritage fairs and festivals allowing the sale, serving, and sampling of wine from a licensed farm winery. The license application shall contain information required by the commissioner and shall be submitted to the commissioner at least 30 days prior to the event. Wines used during these events may be donated by or purchased from a licensed farm winery. Under no circumstances may the provision of §60-8-20(c) of this code be waived nor may any exception be granted with respect thereto. The commissioner shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with §29A-3-1et seq. of this code to implement the provisions of this subsection.

(s)(1) The commissioner may issue a special license for the retail sale of wine in a college or university stadium. A license to sell wine granted pursuant to this subsection entitles the licensee to sell and serve wine for consumption in a college or university stadium. For the purpose of this subsection, “college stadium” means a facility constructed primarily for the use of a Division I, II, or III college or university that is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or its successor, and used as a football, basketball, baseball, soccer, or other Division I, II, or III sports stadium. A special license issued pursuant to this subsection shall be for a term beginning on the date of its issuance and ending on the next following June 30, and its fee is $250 regardless of the length of the term of the license. The application for the special license shall contain information required by the commissioner and must be submitted to the commissioner at least 30 days prior to the first day when wine is to be sold. The special license may be issued in the name of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, II, or III college or university or the name of the primary food and beverage vendor under contract with that college or university. All sales must take place within the confines of the college or university stadium:Provided, That the exterior of the area where wine sales may occur shall be surrounded by a fence or other barrier prohibiting entry except upon the college or university’s express permission, and under the conditions and restrictions established by the college or university, so that the wine sales area is closed to free and unrestricted entry by the general public.

(2) A license issued under this subsection and the licensee are subject to the other requirements of this article and the rules and orders of the commissioner relating to the special license:Provided, That the commissioner may by rule or order grant certain waivers or exceptions to those rules or orders as required by the circumstances of each the college or university stadium. The commissioner may revoke or immediately suspend any license issued pursuant to this section prior to any notice or hearing notwithstanding §60-8-27 and §60-8-28 of this code:Provided, however, That §60-8-20(c) or §60-8-20(d) of this code may not be waived, nor shall any exception be granted concerning those subsections.

(3) The commissioner may propose legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with §29A-3-1et seq. of this code to implement this subsection.

Legislative History

2024 Reg. Sess., SB320; 2024 Reg. Sess., HB5294; 2021 Reg. Sess., HB2025; 2020 Reg. Sess., HB4159; 2020 Reg. Sess., HB4882; 2019 Reg. Sess., HB3102; 2019 Reg. Sess., HB3149; 2019 Reg. Sess., SB511; 2018 Reg. Sess., SB426; 2016 Reg. Sess., SB435; 2015 Reg. Sess., SB384; 2015 Reg. Sess., SB429; 2014 Reg. Sess., HB4412; 2014 Reg. Sess., SB450; 2013 Reg. Sess., SB470; 2012 Reg. Sess., HB4376; 2008 Reg. Sess., SB473; 2007 Reg. Sess., SB712; 2006 Reg. Sess., HB4106; 2005 Reg. Sess., HB2266; 2005 Reg. Sess., HB2960; 2003 Reg. Sess., SB610; 1992 Reg. Sess., HB4494; 1991 Reg. Sess., SB89; 1989 Reg. Sess., SB302; 1986 Reg. Sess., SB339; 1983 Reg. Sess., SB542; 1981 Reg. Sess., HB1111