Starting Jan. 17, veterans in acute suicidal crisis will be able to go to any VA or non-VA health care facility for emergency health care at no cost — including inpatient or crisis residential care for up to 30 days and outpatient care for up to 90 days. Veterans do not need to be enrolled in VA health care […]
You know this. You know I know this. But the statistics prove it out! The most recent Shanken database and forecast tell us that over the last year, Oregon wines grew nearly 13%, almost to 5.3 million cases. Keep in mind that the analysis is for 2021 sales, and thus wines likely produced in 2020 […]
The most current version of the Farm Bill – signed into law by President Trump – will expire in 2023. Every five years, the legislative and executive administrations work to create a new Farm Bill. What can we expect to see with Congress and under the Biden Administration? Keep in mind two things: the orientation […]
This is pretty huge. The Inflation Reduction Act will help us all: $11 billion for USDA conservation programs $8.45 billion for a USDA program that funds climate smart agriculture and forestry $1.8 billion to the U.S. Forest Service and Private Forestry Provisions for hazardous fuels treatments within the Wildland-Urban Interface $7,500 tax credit for electric […]
After my many years working with the TTB on manufacturer/wholesaler permits, the agency has decided to begin interviewing applicants. And here are the questions they asked, along with a few of my recommended answers – of course, always be honest: To whom are you selling wines? To distributors in my home state, to retailers in my home state, […]
The brilliant Andy Perdue published a tasty article this week about his favorite wine picks if stranded on a deserted isle. This coincides with my annual viewings of Naked and Afraid – the Discovery show wherein a man and a woman are left to fend for themselves for 21 days without food or water. Why […]
Your favorite winemakers’ lawyer emails you: “Congrats! You’ve just gotten your OLCC WY ATO! But before you play music in your TR, beware of PRO letters from BMI or ASCAP or SESAC!” What on earth? Let’s break down those letters. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which licenses you an Authority to Operate for a Winery […]
Have you received a letter from Registrar Corp. Threatening your business unless you pay them $195 to renew your FDA food registration? It’s a scam. Throw it away. And no matter what you do, don’t give them your bank account information! First, an FDA registration is free. Second, the only things these folks would do […]
Oregon wineries – or at least some of them – will soon (starting August 8, although of course the state must create licensing and permit requirements) be able to ship wines directly to consumers in Pennsylvania soon. Producing wineries will have the ability to ship up to 36 cases annually per consumer (not address), but […]
Upon the heels of the Memorial Day weekend, the OLCC office reminds all liquor licensees — including wineries and breweries — that recreational marijuana sales or consumption upon your premises is not allowed. Nope. Not permitted at all. And, although you and your employees can possess up to 1 oz of marijuana, you and your […]