Do you need a license to make wine at home?

Question

I am looking at getting a home kit for making wine. I am growing my grapes at home as well. If I wanted to make/bottle/store is there any law I have to follow?

Also, what if one wants to buy it?

Answer 1

If you make it for yourself, and consume it yourself, give it away, you need no license.

If you market and sell it, you will most likely need to acquire a license.  The city wants their "take", there may be ordinances involved, health and safety factors,  and the IRS ALWAYS has interest in any income we produce.

072408  12:45

Answer 2

Maybe. I think you do. But maybe you dont.

Answer 3

you cant sell it bottled but you can buy the kit that they choose and make it for them

my mother chooses the exact kind of wine and her friend makes it for her and sells it to her

but she wouldnt be able to just buy a random bottle

Answer 4

You do not need a license to make wine at home. However, it would only be for your own consumption---don't try to sell it to anyone. You would be breaking all kinds of regs---health code violations, locally, State and Federal sales, taxes, etc.

What do you mean if one wants to buy it? If a neighbor wants to buy it from you? NO, see above. The best thing you can do is to call your local health services extension, or the Town Hall so that you get specific answers to your storage questions.

Answer 5

If you are planning on selling it, then yes, you need a business license to do that, plus you would have to follow whatever the health and safety guidelines are for your area.  You would have to be inspected and approved by the health dept.

For making wine at home for personal consumption, family gatherings, etc, you don't have to do anything but make the wine and enjoy it.

Answer 6

You don't need a license and if your just selling it to people who you know you don't need one but if you wanted to sell it largely then you would.

Answer 7

you don't need a license to make for personal use.  if you are making to sell you will have to have a licence insurance etc check with your state on that.

Answer 8

You can produce it for home use but you can not sell it.  There is a limit as to the amount you can make and store so check with state and federal laws first.

However, donations are a different thing.  =)

I'd suggest checking out on the internet with more reliable sources.

Answer 9

if you make money from it (IE distribute for a prophet) then you need a licenses to sell alcohol, like an off license....but you can give it as a gift or drink it yourself with no problems at all.

Answer 10

if you plan on selling it then you have to get a license, but if it's just for your own enjoyment, then no.

Answer 11

Last I checked, you can make up to 200 gallons of beer or wine for personal consumption with no permits, licenses or anything. You can't sell without a ridiculous number of expensive permits and licenses. You need permits to brew, then have health inspections, then get licenses to bottle, to sell, etc. In many states you can't sell directly to a store, you must sell to a distributor or sell to an individual. You can't distill spirits period without the permits and licenses. It's all a very screwed up way for the govt to get their cut in as many ways as possible.

Answer 12

Not unless you plan on making enough to sell.

Answer 13

Making license:

No, just keep it under 100 gallons a year.

Selling:

Can't do it...at least you can't do it and have the ATF find out. You can give it away all you want, but the second you make a profit, they want their cut.

Answer 14

No, unless you intend to sell it.  Then, you have to have a liquor license.

Answer 15

no