North Carolina Home Wine Making Laws

State Law: Legal Amounts of Homemade Wine

North Carolina laws regarding homemade wine are pursuant to the federal law which states the following:

The aggregate amount of wine exempt from tax under this subsection with respect to any household shall not exceed – (1) 200 gallons per calendar year if there are 2 or more adults in such household, or (2) 100 gallons per calendar year if there is only 1 adult in such household.

State Alcoholic Beverages Control Agency

Alcoholic Beverage Commission
400 East Tryon Road
Raleigh, NC 27610

Mail:
4307 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4307
Phone: 919.779.0700
Fax: 919.662.3583

Statute Title & Description

Chapter 18B Regulation of Alcoholic Beverages
Article 1 General Provisions Section 100 Definitions

“Alcoholic beverage” means any beverage containing at least one-half of one
percent (0.5%) alcohol by volume, including malt beverages, unfortified
wine, fortified wine, spirituous liquor, and mixed beverages.

“Fortified wine” means any wine, of more than sixteen percent (16%) and no
more than twenty-four percent (24%) alcohol by volume, made by
fermentation from grapes, fruits, berries, rice, or honey; or by the addition of
pure cane, beet, or dextrose sugar; or by the addition of pure brandy from the
same type of grape, fruit, berry, rice, or honey that is contained in the base
wine and produced in accordance with the regulations of the United States.

“Person” means an individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
limited liability company, other organization or group, or other combination
of individuals acting as a unit.

“Unfortified wine” means any wine of sixteen percent (16%) or less alcohol
by volume made by fermentation from grapes, fruits, berries, rice, or honey;
or by the addition of pure cane, beet, or dextrose sugar; or by the addition of
pure brandy from the same type of grape, fruit, berry, rice, or honey that is
contained in the base wine and produced in accordance with the regulations
of the United States.

Article 3 Section 306 Making Wines and Malt Beverages for Private Use

An individual may make, possess, and transport native wines and malt beverages for his
own use and for the use of his family and guests. Native wines shall be made principally from
honey, grapes, or other fruit or grain grown in this State, or from wine kits containing honey,
grapes, or other fruit or grain concentrates, and shall have only that alcoholic content produced by natural fermentation. Malt beverages may be made by use of malt beverage kits containing grain extracts or concentrates. Wine kits and malt beverage kits may be sold in this State. No ABC permit is required to make beverages pursuant to this section.

 

NOTE: The information presented here is not a substitute for legal advice.  For detailed information regarding the laws of your state please contact the state’s governing agency and/or a lawyer licensed to practice in your state.

About americanwinegrape

American Wine Grape Distributors Inc. AKA A. Silvestro Wine Grape, has been in business for over 5 decades. We are wine enthusiasts just like you and want to share in that enjoyment. This is why we are developing a new and exciting platform for growers, restaurants, sommeliers and home winemakers. Our goal is to bring the wine community together and is the driving force behind our new blog.