HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) has issued approvals for a number of wine expanded permits, just one week after the new permit to sell wine to go became available when Act 39 went into effect on Aug. 8
As of Monday afternoon, August 15, 81 wine expanded permits had been approved out of 174 requests submitted. A list of licensees holding wine expanded permits is available upon request from the PLCB Communications Office.
Each permit was approved after verification that the applicant meets all statutory requirements and provided information required for the permit to be granted.
A wine expanded permit cannot be granted unless the licensee is certified through the Responsible Alcohol Management Program. The majority of wine expanded permits still under review require such certification, and licensees are being notified of the steps they must take to become certified.
Wine expanded permit holders purchasing smaller amounts of wine may begin selling wine upon receiving the permit, assuming they sell wine in-stock at Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores. Licensees requiring larger quantities of wine or certain products not currently in stock may wait longer to receive those products.
Restaurant and hotel licensees interested in selling large quantities of wine-to-go (more than 20 cases per order from the PLCB) are encouraged to contact the Office of Wholesale Operations at 844-363-WINE (9463) or wineexpansionsales@pa.gov to discuss the wines and volumes they anticipate buying from the PLCB for wine-to-go resale. The PLCB aims to begin shipping wine from its distribution centers in the October timeframe to the large-volume wine-to-go permittees.
The PLCB anticipates approving a number of direct wine shipper licenses this week, once tax compliance checks are completed. As of Monday afternoon, 101 requests for direct wine shipper licenses have been submitted.
As direct wine shipper licenses are approved, they are viewable in the public PLCB+ license search. They will also accessible through a page on the PLCB website explaining direct wine shipment options for consumers.
“We have worked to provide greater convenience and satisfaction to Pennsylvania customers and now comes the important work of implementing the law,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “I am encouraged that the PLCB has worked so diligently to approve wine expanded permits and we must continue to work to make sure this law is executed properly and quickly. Our goal has always been to improve the customer experience, make pricing more competitive, make the purchase of products more convenient, and bring more revenue into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates more than 600 wine and spirits stores statewide and licenses more than 20,000 beverage alcohol producers and retailers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups and licensees. Taxes and store profits – totaling more than $14.5 billion since the agency’s inception – are returned to Pennsylvania’s General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania’s schools, health and human services programs and law enforcement and public safety initiatives across the state, among other things. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit http://www.lcb.state.pa.us.
SOURCE: Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board press release
