Legislation will allow apple wine, cider to be sold to the public

Legislation will allow apple wine, cider to be sold to the public
State Rep. John Piscopo (R-Thomaston) today applauded the passage of S.B. 312, a bill that will allow permit holders who make cider and apple wine on site to sell their products to the public, both in-person and via the Internet.

The legislation allows a holder of a manufacturer permit for cider and apple wine to sell and ship cider or apple wine outside the state, as well as offer samples to visitors for tasting on-premises. In addition, cider and apple wine manufactures would be allowed to sell on-premises (at retail price) sealed bottles or containers of the cider or apple wine for consumption off-premises, and to sell and deliver or ship cider or apple wine to consumers in the state under certain conditions.

“Establishments such as Hogan’s Cider Mill in Burlington have been trying to expand their business and offer there products to the public in a more consumer-friendly manner, and this bill will allow that to happen,” said Rep. Piscopo. “This is an example of the common sense, pro-business, pro-jobs legislation we need to be enacting more of in Hartford. I am happy to help allow Hogan’s Cider Mill to expand their business, and I wish them at least 100 more years of success.”

Rep. Piscopo also pointed out that, as a safeguard, the bill allows towns may prohibit tastings or on-premises retail sale by ordinance or zoning. The bill sets the same standards for shipping cider and apple wine in-state as for wine.

If signed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, the new law will be effective July 1, 2009.