The Farm Winery Act was the first of several efforts by the New Jersey state legislature to relax Prohibition-era restrictions and craft new laws to facilitate the growth of the alcoholic beverage industry and provide new opportunities for winery licenses.
[2][3][4] New Jersey wineries produce wine from more than 90 varieties of grapes, and from over 25 other fruits.
The bill would specifically address changes to two state statutes; the first a revision of state alcoholic beverage control and licensing laws to permit new wineries, and the second to reduce the per-gallon tax levy on wine produced.
[7] A2240 was passed by the General Assembly on March 2, 1981, and by the State Senate on June 25, 1981.
Governor Brendan Byrne signed the bill into law, with its provisions effective immediately, on September 10, 1981.