Domenico Winery Applies for Salesroom License at Cosimo's Restaurant reports the Westfield Leader

TOMS RIVER, N.J. - Sept. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- Domenico Winery of Toms River, N.J. and San Carlos, Calif. has applied to the state for a license to sell at Cosimo’s Restaurant in Westfield. The winery, which was the first to register with New Jersey under this law, already has such arrangements with Bistro 1051 in Clark, Anna’s in Summit, Basilico in Millburn, Gaetano's in Red Bank, Porfirio's Italian Market in Hamilton and Palazzo in Montclair, to name a few.  John Annunziata of Domenico said that while there are approximately 160 wineries that have now registered with the state, he believes Domenico Winery is one of only a few that are using the restaurant salesroom arm of the law. He added that Domenico is applying for other licenses around New Jersey, and that the state allows a maximum of 16 licenses per winery.

“It’s not a well-publicized law,” he told The Westfield Leader. He believes many of the other wineries are registered as the new law allows them to ship directly to consumers, which was previously prohibited.  “The playing field has been leveled a bit (for out-of-state wineries),” Mr. Annunziata told The Leader.

Domenico Winery is owned by Dominick and Gloria Chirichillo.  A self-taught wine maker, Mr. Chirichillo also founded the Bacchus School of Wine, located in Toms River, where patrons can go to learn to make their own wine.

Under New Jersey law, patrons can purchase a bottle of wine at these locations for use at the restaurant or to take home. Patrons of restaurants with liquor licenses also are permitted to take home any unused portion of a bottle of wine that they purchase.

According to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), to be eligible for an out-of-state winery license, the winery must possess a current and valid winery license issued by another state; it cannot produce more than 250,000 gallons of wine per year and cannot own, either in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, any interest in a winery that produces more than 250,000 gallons per year; and is only permitted to ship products it has manufactured. The state charges the winery an annual fee ranging from $63 to $938, depending on yearly production.

The ABC also has a set of guidelines posted on its website for such arrangements, which include a sample lease, training requirements for restaurant staff, mandatory sales records and regulations for the service of alcohol. According to the ABC, no wine may be sold by the glass at any of the wine sales locations.