Archive for year: 2016
Letting Go Can Be Bittersweet
As a graduate of Windows Wine School it was a privilege to have taken instruction under the world’s premier wine educator Kevin Zraly. And now that Windows Wine School is coming to a close its bittersweet to share Dorothy Gaiter’s article with you: Kevin Zraly Says He Has To ‘Let Go’ Of Windows All good things must come to a close in 2016 but the good news is, when one door closes another opens. We look for more goodness from the Master in the years to come.
ALCOHOL LAW CHANGES COME TO PENNSYLVANIA
Effective August 8, 2016, Act. 39 amendments to the Pennsylvania Liquor Code signed into law by Governor Wolk become effective. The Act is aimed at increasing the availability and promotion of Pennsylvania alcohol products. The Pennslyvania Liquor Control Board has issued a SUMMARY of information relevant to Licensees. The act is aimed at creating parity between its categories of manufacturers.
Of particular interest, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has created a new direct wine shipper license (DWS) wherein a wine manufacturer may ship up to 36 cases of wine to Pennsylvania residents within a calendar year for personal use regardless whether produced in Pennsylvania, another state, or country. All wine however must be transported via a Pennsylvania licensed transporter-for-hire.
The big news of course it that those entities holding a restaurant or hotel license, the new law allows for the sale of wine up to three liters per single transaction, a matter of interest to the growing number of grocery stores.
Act 39 expands the availability of special exposition permits for Pennsylvania ciders, breweries, and distilleries which where historically only available to Pennsylvania Limited Wineries.
For more on this new change in law click here: Summary of Changes In Alcohol Law in PA.
MODERNIZATION AT THE PENNSYLVANIA LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD
Modernization has finally come to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board as it unfolds its new Online Licensing Platform. The new platform is expected to permit its business partners and applicants to operate in a secure environment over the internet. For more on this new venture: click here.
HOW WILL YOUR PENNSYLVANIA WINERY OR WINE BASED BUSINESS TAKE SHAPE IN 2016?
Happy New Year to all. I can’t believe another year has come and gone already. For myself, as the new year turns I’m taking a moment to reflect back on how well I achieved the goals I set for myself last year and to create new ones. Hence, it’s been a good time to dust off the old business plan to reflect on progress made or the lack thereof. In other words, I’m holding myself accountable for doing what I told myself I was going to do. So far, my persistence and diligence is bearing fruit for those new goals I’ve taken on. I’m also looking to scrap those goals that aren’t working.
I know some of you are contemplating taking the plunge this year to establish your own winery or wine based business. If so, this is a great time to lay your foundation towards developing a successful winery or wine and hospitality based business by creating your business plan.
Creating a business plan forces you to focus on identifying your goals and objectives as well as how to set plans on how to reach them. In other words, where do you see your business 1 year from now, 3 years from now, or even 5 years from now? Who are your customers? What specific products will you offer? Have you identified your competition? What are your start up costs and sources of funds? What is your mission? Who is your target market? How will you manage the local, state, and federal regulations governing the business of alcohol? Exactly how will your business take shape in 2016?
These are just a few questions to think about when starting your own winery, wine or hospitality based business. As the beginning of the year unfolds, use this time to build your business plan and set achievable goals. Your business plan will keep you on the right track in 2016 and the years to follow.
