Senate committee debates new ‘farm winery’ permit aimed at boosting use of Texas‑grown grapes

Senator Hancock presented House Bill 33,85, which would create a new optional Texas farm winery permit for wineries that use Texas‑grown fruit. Under the bill as explained at the hearing, a qualifying farm winery would need to use at least 75% Texas‑grown grapes (collectively, by varietal/production), could operate up to five additional off‑site tasting rooms without separate permits and would be eligible for a dedicated farm winery marketing assistance fund.

Matthew Cherry, senior counsel for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, acted as the committee’s resource witness. He said the proposal does not change operations already allowed under a standard winery permit (chapter 16), but would add a new optional authorization with additional activities tied to use of Texas fruit. “Right now under the bill, it is 75%,” Cherry told senators when asked how the threshold would be measured; he said the 75% requirement applies collectively to…