Alcoholic Beverages - Class 4 Limited Winery License - Requirements and Authorizations

This bill updates the rules for Class 4 limited winery licenses in Maryland to allow producers to make wine and brandy using a wider variety of state-grown agricultural products instead of requiring them to use only grapes. It changes the ownership requirement so that license holders must either own at least 20 acres of Maryland-grown crops or ensure that over half of their wine ingredients come from the state. The legislation also removes the ability to blend purchased finished wine with their own production, while permitting the purchase of up to 75% of finished wine made entirely from Maryland-grown ingredients. Additionally, it expands the list of specific foods that winery license holders can prepare and sell on-site, such as ice cream, jam, and pizza, and clarifies that these activities can occur seven days a week between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.