Chapter 40. Requirements for Product Approval
3VAC5-40-10. Spirits; labels, definitions and standards of identity.
Spirits sold in the Commonwealth shall conform with regulations adopted by the appropriate federal agency, relating to labels, definitions, standards of identity, and standards of fill. In addition, the prior approval of the board must be obtained as to the spirits, containers and labels. The board may request a copy of the federal certificate of label approval before a product is approved for sale.
Subsequent sales under an approved label shall conform to the analysis of the spirits originally approved by the board, and be packaged in approved types and sizes of containers.
Statutory Authority
§§ 4.1-103 and 4.1-111 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR125-01-4 § 1, eff. December 12, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 6, January 21, 1988; Volume 5, Issue 2, eff. November 24, 1988; Volume 9, Issue 6, eff. January 13, 1993; Volume 10, Issue 11, eff. March 23, 1994; Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. January 15, 2014; Volume 32, Issue 21, eff. July 28, 2016.
3VAC5-40-20. Wine and beer; qualifying procedures; disqualifying factors; samples; exceptions.
A. Except as provided in subsection F of this section, all wine and beer sold in the Commonwealth shall be first approved by the board as to content, container, and label.
1. All wine and beer sold in this Commonwealth shall conform with regulations adopted by the appropriate federal agency, relating to labels, definitions and standards of identity. An application acceptable to the board or on a form prescribed by the board describing the merchandise shall be submitted for each new brand and type of wine or beer offered for sale in the Commonwealth. Applicants shall submit a copy of the approval of the label by such federal agency. A registration fee in such amount as may be established by the board shall be included with each application.
2. A gift package containing wine or beer for which label approval has been granted may be sold without additional approval by the board.
B. While not limited thereto, the board shall withhold approval of any wine if the alcoholic content exceeds 21% by volume.
C. While not limited thereto, the board may withhold approval of any label:
1. Which implies or indicates that the product contains spirits;
2. Which contains the word "fortified" or implies that the contents contain spirits, except that the composition and alcoholic content may be shown if required by regulations of an appropriate federal agency;
3. Which contains any obscene subject matter or illustration;
4. Which contains subject matter designed to induce minors to drink, or is suggestive of the intoxicating effect of wine or beer;
5. Which contains any design or statement which is likely to mislead the consumer;
6. Which implies or indicates that the product is government (federal, state, or local) endorsed; or
7. Which implies the product enhances athletic prowess or includes any reference to any athlete, former athlete, or athletic team except that references to athletes or athletic teams shall be allowed to the extent such references are permitted in point-of-sale advertising pursuant to 3VAC5-20-10.
D. A person holding a license as a winery, farm winery, brewery, or a wine or beer wholesaler shall upon request furnish the board without compensation a reasonable quantity of such brand sold by him for chemical analysis.
E. Any wine or beer sold only by direct shipment to consumers by holders of wine or beer shippers' licenses shall be approved upon compliance with subdivision A 1 of this section.
F. If the board has not approved a wine or beer for sale within 30 days after receipt by the board of a complete application and registration fee, the wine or beer may be sold in the Commonwealth pending a decision from the board on the application. If the application for approval is rejected, the manufacturer or importer shall discontinue sales of the rejected product upon notice from the board. Any wholesale or retail licensee may continue sales until any inventory on hand at the time of notice from the board is depleted.
Statutory Authority
§§ 4.1-103 and 4.1-111 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR125-01-4 § 2, eff. December 12, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 6, January 21, 1988; Volume 5, Issue 2, eff. November 24, 1988; Volume 9, Issue 6, eff. January 13, 1993; Volume 10, Issue 11, eff. March 23, 1994; Volume 21, Issue 19, eff. June 29, 2005; Volume 23, Issue 13, eff. May 19, 2007; Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. January 15, 2014.
3VAC5-40-30. Wine and beer containers; sizes and types; on-premises and off-premises limitations; cooler-dispensers; novel containers; carafes and decanters.
A. Wine and beer may be sold at retail only in or from the original containers of the sizes that have been approved by the appropriate federal agency, except that farm winery licensees may conduct barrel tastings at the winery, at which samples of wine not yet bottled may be sold to visitors to the winery. Each farm winery conducting a barrel tasting shall measure the wine withdrawn for the tasting, maintain full and complete records, and remit the taxes imposed by § 4.1-234 of the Code of Virginia.
B. Wine sold for on-premises consumption shall not be removed from the licensed premises except in the original container with closure. Beer dispensed for on-premises consumption shall not be removed from authorized areas upon the premises. No wine or beer shall be sold for off-premises consumption in any container upon which the original closure has been broken, except for a growler. A "growler" is defined as a resealable container made of glass, ceramic, metal, or other materials approved by the board as well as resealable containers approved by the board.
1. Beer and cider may be sold for off-premises consumption by persons licensed to sell beer and cider for off-premises consumption in growlers with a maximum capacity of 128 fluid ounces or if in metric size containers, four liters.
2. Wine may be sold for off-premises consumption in growlers with a maximum capacity of 64 fluid ounces or, for metric size containers, two liters. Wine sold in growlers may only be sold by persons licensed to sell wine for both on-premises and off-premises consumption and by gourmet shop licensees. Wine sold by gourmet shop licensees shall be labeled with the (i) manufacturer's name or trade name, (ii) place of production, (iii) net contents in fluid ounces, and (iv) name and address of the retailer.
3. Retail licensees licensed to sell wine and beer for both on-premises and off-premises consumption and gourmet shop licensees licensed for off-premises consumption may sell wine and beer in sealed containers made of metal or other materials approved by the board with a maximum capacity of 32 fluid ounces or if in metric size containers, one liter, provided that the alcoholic beverages are placed in the container following an order from the consumer.
C. Novel or unusual containers are prohibited except upon special permit issued by the board. In determining whether a container is novel or unusual, the board may consider, but is not limited to, the following factors: (i) nature and composition of the container; (ii) length of time it has been employed for the purpose; (iii) the extent to which it is designed or suitable for those uses; (iv) the extent to which the container is a humorous representation; and (v) whether the container is dutiable for any other purpose under customs laws and regulations.
D. Wine may be served for on-premises consumption in carafes or decanters not exceeding 52 fluid ounces (1.5 liters) in capacity. Beer may be served for on-premises consumption in pitchers not exceeding 80 fluid ounces in capacity.
Statutory Authority
§§ 4.1-103 and 4.1-111 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from VR125-01-4 § 3, eff. December 12, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 6, January 21, 1988; Volume 5, Issue 2, eff. November 24, 1988; Volume 9, Issue 6, eff. January 13, 1993; Volume 10, Issue 11, eff. March 23, 1994; Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. January 15, 2014; Volume 32, Issue 20, eff. July 15, 2016.
3VAC5-40-40. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR125-01-4 § 4, eff. December 12, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 6, January 21, 1988; Volume 5, Issue 2, eff. November 24, 1988; Volume 9, Issue 6, eff. January 13, 1993; Volume 10, Issue 11, eff. March 23, 1994; Volume 21, Issue 19, eff. June 29, 2005; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. January 15, 2014.
3VAC5-40-50. (Repealed.)
Historical Notes
Derived from VR125-01-4 § 5, eff. December 12, 1985; amended, Virginia Register Volume 4, Issue 6, January 21, 1988; Volume 5, Issue 2, eff. November 24, 1988; Volume 9, Issue 6, eff. January 13, 1993; Volume 10, Issue 11, eff. March 23, 1994; Volume 21, Issue 19, eff. June 29, 2005; Volume 23, Issue 13, eff. May 19, 2007; repealed, Virginia Register Volume 30, Issue 8, eff. January 15, 2014.
Forms (3VAC5-40)
Order and Permit for Transportation of Alcohol, #703-69 (eff. 11/87).
Order and Permit for Transportation of Alcoholic Beverages, #703-73.
Mixed Beverage Annual Review-Instructions for Completion, #805-44 (rev. 11/06).
Application for Off Premises Keg Permit, #805-45 (rev. 07/98).
Application for License, #805-52 (rev. 06/04).
Application for Grain Alcohol Permit, #805-75.
Special Event License Application Addendum—Notice to Special Event Licenses Applicants, Form SE-1 (rev. 08/02).
Statement of Income & Expenses for Special Event Licenses (with instructions), Form SE-2 (rev. 08/02).