By Doug Fabbioli

New state representatives are coming to Richmond, and discussions have started about the laws regulating restrictions on farm wineries here in Virginia. The law was actually crafted with major input and approval from the Virginia Wineries Association to protect the integrity of the wine industry. The changes have a 5-year period to get wineries in compliance and there is no grandfather rule. We are 3 years into this transition period so changes are beginning to happen. The goal is to keep farming in the Virginia farm wine industry.

Over the past decade or so, several farm winery licenses have been approved for venues and businesses that are not actually farming. These venues end up being businesses in the countryside with no connection between the land and the products that they serve. The main regulation that will affect some operations is the requirement to have 3 acres of crops that go into your products. This level is where most businesses will land. They can lease other vineyards, produce off site, but still be authentic in their agriculture operations.

If the operation is farming less than 3 acres, they can still have a farm winery license, but they will be limited in production to only what they grow and will not be able to have as many businesses’ options. The goal of this law is not to exclude small operations but to keep land buyers from skirting the law and building venues that dilute the authentic wine-growing culture of our region.

As our state has grown and developed, farmers have been granted a few exemptions from building and zoning regulations. Farming is hard enough without adding further restrictions, regulations, fees, and reports. Selling your farm products directly to consumers is an important part of farming success in the 21st century.

Farmers are the original entrepreneurs; farmers have shifted, failed, thrived, and sometimes failed yet again to be productive and successful on their land. Some have eventually sold out to housing developers and other business ventures such as data centers. Certainly, some farmers are better stewards of the land than others, but farming is a critical part of our society and should be respected.

There are certainly quite a few opinions on this issue, and I find myself pulled in different directions sometimes. We are hoping that this long-term effort will keep our industry relatable and respected for many decades to come. Enjoy the authenticity of your favorite local winery and recognize all the work and skill it takes to grow and make that wine.