Winery permits and licenses, by state

A winery is a federally licensed producer first and a state-licensed seller second, so you answer to both the federal TTB and your state alcohol agency before you pour a glass. Here is every credential you need to make and sell wine, from the federal bonded winery permit down to local permits, broken down by state and city.

These federal credentials apply to every winery in the United States. State, county, and city requirements stack on top of them. Pick your state below to see what your state adds, then drill into your city for the local permits.

Federal requirements for wineries

These apply nationwide, so they are the same in every state. Your state and local guides below cover everything that stacks on top.

Federal level

8 credentials

Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)

A nine-digit federal tax ID for your business. Required to hire employees, open a bank account, and apply for your TTB winery permits. TTB's Permits Online will not process a bonded winery application without it.

Issued by: Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Fee: $0 (free)
Renewal: None (one-time)
Processing: Immediate online, up to 4 weeks by mail

TTB Federal Basic Permit (Wine Producer and Blender)

The core federal permit to produce or blend wine commercially, required under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act. Oregon's OLCC will not issue your winery license without it. You apply free through TTB Permits Online, usually together with your bonded winery registration.

Issued by: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Fee: $0 (no federal fee)
Renewal: None (ongoing while you operate)
Processing: Roughly 60 to 120 days; check TTB's processing-times page

TTB Bonded Winery Registration

Registers the specific bonded premises where you ferment, blend, store, and bottle wine, filed as Bonded Winery, Full Operations in TTB Permits Online. No production can begin until TTB approves the premises, which includes a facility diagram and can trigger an inspection. Wineries making only wine under 7% ABV file the under-7% version instead.

Issued by: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Fee: $0 (no federal fee)
Renewal: None (continuous while the premises operates)
Processing: Filed and processed with the Basic Permit

Federal Wine Bond (only if you owe $50,000 or more in excise tax)

Under the PATH Act, a winery that reasonably expects to owe less than $50,000 in federal wine excise tax for the year (and owed less than that the prior year) is exempt from the federal wine bond, and nearly all small Oregon wineries qualify. You claim the exemption in your Permits Online application. A bond is only required once you cross the $50,000 threshold.

Issued by: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Fee: No TTB fee; a surety premium only if required, typically 1% to 3% of the bond amount
Renewal: Annual while in force
Processing: Obtained separately from a surety company

Federal Wine Excise Tax and Small Producer Credit

Wine removed from bond is taxed per gallon, but the Craft Beverage Modernization Act gives a $1.00-per-gallon credit on the first 30,000 gallons, cutting the effective rate on standard table wine to about $0.07 a gallon, roughly 1.4 cents a bottle. The credit steps down at higher volumes and was made permanent in 2021.

Issued by: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Fee: $1.07 per gallon on still wine 16% ABV and under, cut to about $0.07 by the small-producer credit; higher for stronger and sparkling wine
Renewal: Filed quarterly, or annually if liability is under $1,000
Processing: Ongoing tax obligation

TTB Certificate of Label Approval (COLA)

Required before you bottle any wine sold or shipped outside Oregon, with a separate COLA for each label, applied for free through COLAs Online. Wine sold only within Oregon does not need a COLA, but any interstate shipment to a consumer, retailer, or distributor does.

Issued by: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Fee: $0 (free)
Renewal: None per label; a new COLA is needed when a label materially changes
Processing: About 6 days median for wine labels (early 2026)

TTB Formula Approval (only for flavored or non-standard wine)

Required before a COLA only if your wine adds flavoring or coloring, uses non-grape agricultural products like honey or fruit, or blends different kinds of fruit. Standard grape wine (grapes, yeast, water, and sulfites) needs no formula approval. TTB has an online tool that tells you whether yours does.

Issued by: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
Fee: $0 (free)
Renewal: None unless the recipe changes
Processing: Check TTB's processing-times page

FDA Food Facility Registration

Wine is a food, so a winery that distributes through general commerce must register its facility with the FDA. Wineries with a TTB permit are exempt from the FSMA preventive-controls rules but still register and follow good manufacturing practices. A winery selling more than half its wine direct to consumers at the premises may qualify as a retail establishment and be exempt, but most that wholesale or ship must register.

Issued by: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Fee: $0 (free)
Renewal: Every 2 years (renew October to December of even-numbered years)
Processing: Immediate online via the FDA registration module

See how other wineries are managing every permit, license, and renewal in one place with CredentiAlert.

Select a state

Each state guide covers the statewide credentials every winery needs, plus city-by-city specifics for the cities we cover.

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