The Wine Wars: All is Quiet for Now

But I got a tip, the Williamses are off to Ag and Markers

On May 12 the Planning Board closed the Williams application for their tasting room. They never filled out those forms any ways. On June 14 there is a petition from the community to the NYS Liquor Authority.

I have it on good authority the William are appealing thru the 305-a process.

Section 305-a is the right-to-farm statute. It exists because every agricultural district in New York eventually fills up with people who moved next to a farm and then resent it for farming. The law says a town cannot unreasonably restrict a working farm operation. Not “shouldn’t.” Cannot. Unless public health or safety is on the line. A vineyard tasting room is not typically a public health threat. It is, at most, an inconvenience to a neighbor who didn’t read the deed.

The Process:

A farm owner files a written complaint with the Department of Agriculture and Markets. There’s a form. Bureaucracy demands its tribute. The complaint lays out the local law in question and why it’s choking the farm operation.

Dep…