Georgia wine producers voted against implementing a marketing order that would have created an assessment on all taxable wine produced by licensed Georgia wineries.
Of the 58% of the eligible growers that voted between February 8 and March 9, only 38% voted in favor of the marketing order. The order would have allowed the Georgia Wine & Grape Commission to assess wine produced by licensed Georgia wineries at a rate between 5 cents and 20 cents per taxable liter. The final rate would have been set by the members on the commission after establishing budgetary goals and priorities for the funds. The assessment would have been effective upon notification to the licensed wine producers.
The Commission, which was created by the Georgia General Assembly in 2019 at the request of the Georgia wine industry, proposed the marketing order to raise funds for research on grape and wine issues and promote Georgia wines.
It can attempt to pass a marketing order again in 12 months if the commission desires.
Source: Georgia Department of Ag
