COMPLIANCE WITH BOTTLE BILL JUST ONE MONTH AWAY FOR WINE AND SPIRITS On January 1, 2024, California’s container recycling deposit system (referred to often as the “Bottle Bill”) will expand to include wine, spirits, and wine and spirits coolers (regardless of ABV).  Below is a brief overview of what wineries, distilleries, importers and wholesalers of wine and spirits need to do to comply! Register with CalRecycle as a Beverage Manufacturer and/or Distributor Register with CalRecycle as soon as possible to prepare for monthly payment and reporting requirements beginning January 1, 2024. California-Based: California wineries and distilleries, and importers of wine or spirits into California, will need to register as a “beverage manufacturer.” They will also need to register as a “distributor” if they sell to retailers (whether on-sale or off-sale), restaurants, bars, or directly to consumers. Out-of-State: Out-of-state wineries and distille

The California Bottle Bill: 8 Important Takeaways

The deadline for compliance is fast approaching. Are you ready? By Jeff Siegel   One of the biggest changes in the California wine industry since the end of Prohibition begins […]

With the passage of  Senate Bill No. 1013, beginning on January 1, 2024, wine and spirits will be included in California’s state container deposit system established by the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (known as the “Bottle Bill”).  As such, wineries and distilleries will now be required to comply with the Bottle Bill’s CA Redemption Value (CRV) payment and reporting obligations beginning January 1, 2024, and CRV labeling requirements for all wine and spirits sold after July 1, 2025.  Beer and certain other non-alcoholic beverages were already previously covered by the Bottle Bill. Importantly, because all wines and spirits sold in California after July 1, 2025 must be labeled with some type of approved CRV statement, producers should start including this information on their bottles and/or labels as soon as possible. Below we have included a brief summary of the rules applicable to wines and spirits under