Overview about licensing Vineyards

Overview about licensing Vineyards

Licensing a vineyard in England and Wales involves several legal and regulatory steps, depending on whether you’re growing grapes, producing wine, selling it wholesale or retail, or hosting events.  Here’s a comprehensive overview:

🍇 1. Vineyard Registration

All vineyards over 0.1 hectares (approx. ¼ acre) must be registered with the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Smaller vineyards must also register if they operate commercially.

Deadline: Within 6 months of planting.

Registration includes:

1. Area under vine
2. Vine varieties and planting year
3. Planting density and altitude

Contact: winestandards@food.gov.uk 

FSA Vineyard Registration Guidance is available here: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/vineyard-registration 

🍷 2. Wine Production Regulations

Wine production is governed by strict rules on:

1. Labelling
2. Quality standards
3. Harvest and production declarations
4. Traceability for UK Quality Wine Schemes

Annual declarations must be submitted to the FSA. These help the UK meet EU reporting obligations and maintain wine quality standards. Guidance is available here: https://www.gbvg.uk/sites/default/files/UK%20vineyard%20register.pdf 

🛒 3. Alcohol Licensing

If you plan to sell wine, you’ll need to comply with the Licensing Act 2003, which regulates alcohol sales in England and Wales.

A. Retail Sales (Direct to Public)

You’ll need:

• Premises Licence – for the location where alcohol is sold.
• Personal Licence – held by someone authorised to sell alcohol.
• Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) – usually the Personal Licence holder.

Licensable activities must align with the four licensing objectives:

1. Preventing crime and disorder
2. Public safety
3. Protection of children from harm
4. Prevention of public nuisance

The Licensing Guys can advise and assist in all of these matters.

B. Wholesale Sales

If selling wine to other licensed businesses (e.g. shops, restaurants), you must register with HMRC under the Alcohol Wholesale Registration Scheme (AWRS).

No Premises Licence is needed for wholesale, but AWRS registration is mandatory.

Application is made via this site:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/alcohol-wholesaler-registration-scheme-awrs-apply-to-register

🎪 4. Events and Tastings

If hosting events at the vineyard (e.g. tastings, weddings), you may need:

• Temporary Event Notices (TENs) – for short-term licensable activities.
• Planning Permission – if structures like marquees are used more than 28 days.

The Licensing Guys can advise and assist in all of these matters.

🏛️ 5. Local Authority Involvement

Licences are issued by your local council’s licensing team. You’ll need to:

• Submit application forms
• Pay fees
• Possibly notify responsible authorities (e.g. police, fire service)

The Licensing Guys can advise and assist in all of these matters.

📋 Summary Checklist

Activity	Licence/Registration Required
Planting vines	FSA Vineyard Registration
Producing wine	FSA Production Declaration
Selling wine by Retail	Premises Licence + Personal Licence
Selling wine by Wholesale	AWRS Registration
Hosting events	TENs or Premises Licence
Labelling wine	Comply with wine trade regulations