Starting a winery in the United States is more than crafting exceptional wines—it requires compliance with federal regulations before you can produce or sell a single bottle. One of the most critical steps for any aspiring winery is obtaining a TTB Federal Basic Winery Permit.
What Is a Federal Basic Winery Permit?
A Federal Basic Winery Permit is issued by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”), the federal agency that regulates alcohol production and distribution. This permit legally authorizes a business to produce wine, bottle wine, engage in tax‑paid removals, store untaxed wine, and conduct certain related operations such as blending and packaging.
Who Needs a Federal Basic Winery Permit?
You must obtain a Federal Basic Winery Permit if you plan to:
- Produce wine commercially (including fermentation on-site);
- Blend or fortify wines;
- Bottle and label wine for commercial sale; and/or
- Store bulk untaxed wine or conduct custom winemaking operations.
Even if you plan to operate as a custom crush facility or alternating proprietorship host or tenant, your company typically needs a federal TTB basic permit.
What Is Required to Obtain a Winery Permit?
Applying for a Federal Basic Winery Permit requires detailed documentation and careful planning. Typical requirements include:
- Premises Control – Your company must have a secured premises under the company’s exclusive control. Leases or deeds are generally required documentation for the TTB application.
- Bond (if applicable) – Depending on your operations and tax liability, a bond may be required. As of several years ago, legislation eliminated the bond requirement for certain eligible taxpayers. Industry members should seek guidance from an alcohol beverage attorney to determine whether or not a bond is required.
- Diagram of the Premises – TTB requires floor plans showing the production, storage, and bottling areas. Diagrams may also need to show equipment, bulk storage, cased or packaged storage, or similar.
- Key Personnel Disclosures – Information on owners, officers, directors, and certain key personnel must be disclosed and vetted.
- Registration as a Food Facility (if applicable) – Certain winery operations may require FDA registration.
How Long Does It Take?
Processing times for a Federal Basic Winery Permit vary based on application completeness and TTB workload, but often take several months. A well-prepared application can avoid costly delays and additional requests for information. Hiring an attorney with significant experience handling TTB applications ensures you benefit from their in-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements, proven strategies to avoid common pitfalls, and ability to streamline the process for faster, more efficient approval.
How Lindsey Zahn P.C. Can Help
At Lindsey Zahn P.C., we help wineries, custom crush facilities, and alternating proprietorship hosts nationwide navigate the complexities of federal and state wine regulations. Our team can:
- Determine whether your business requires a Federal Basic Winery Permit and what additional approvals are needed;
- Prepare and submit your TTB permit application;
- Assist with bond requirements, premises control, and personnel documentation;
- Provide ongoing compliance support, including label approvals and reporting obligations; and/or
- Advise on alternating proprietorships and custom crush agreements
If you’re considering launching a winery or expanding into new wine production operations, contact us today to schedule an initial consultation. We’ll guide you through every step so you can focus on your business and your wine.
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