For the duration of the coronavirus emergency, a Virginia distillery can ship liquor direct to consumers via UPS or FedEx.
In announcing the decision, the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control agency said it recognizes the Cpvid-19 crisis is negatively impacting many of these businesses that provide their unique products to consumers across the commonwealth. With their tasting rooms closed, these Virginia businesses are working hard to maintain operations at even a nominal level. Despite these challenges, many of them have stepped forward to produce hand-sanitizer for their local communities, including Virginia ABC stores.
Virginia ABC announced a temporary addendum to these Distillery Store Agreements. For a limited period of time, operating as an agent of Virginia ABC pursuant to a signed and notarized Distillery Store Agreement addendum on file with ABC, these Virginia distillers are authorized to ship their spirits (and any low alcohol beverage coolers manufactured or blended on the licensed premises) to consumers and licensees in Virginia.
These caveats, among others, apply:
- No distiller may sell more than six bottles of spirits or two cases of low alcohol beverage coolers to any one consumer or licensee per month.
- Bottles of spirits shipped may be no larger than 1.75 liters.