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Sale of Washington Wine at WSFMA Member Markets

On July 27, 2003, Washington State began allowing Washington produced wines to be sold at Washington farmers markets, on the condition that these wines are produced in Washington State from fruit grown in Washington State, or a recognized Washington appellation. While a similar bill was passed to allow Washington produced beer to be sold at Washington farmers markets, it did not include the requirements that the ingredients of that beer be grown in Washington.

In June of 2003, the Washington State Farmers Market Association (WSFMA) passed its own rules governing the sale of alcoholic beverages at its member farmers markets. Found in the WSFMA Member Guidelines, these rules state that "Alcoholic beverages must be made entirely from ingredients grown in Washington, or from grapes grown in a recognized Washington appellation, except for certain additives required for processing, but which cannot be produced in the State of Washington, not amounting to more than 5% of the total volume of the beverage." Because at this time there appears to be no beer made in Washington State that meets these requirements, WSFMA recommends that its member markets only apply to be authorized for wine sales.

For information on selling Washington wine at farmers markets in Washington State, please visit the Washington State Liquor Control Board site at http://liq.wa.gov