Council considers farm alcohol bill

The Montgomery County Council is considering a bill to make it easier for breweries, wineries, and distilleries to open in the county. 

The Zoning Text Amendment would allow those businesses to open tasting rooms, sell food, and hold up to nine events a year. Council President Hans Riemer says he doesn’t want wineries to open as a venue for weddings or corporate events. Riemer says the type of land in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve is ideal for growing grapes. 

“It’s a big investment. It’s a big commitment to open up a facility like that. You want to know that you have a clear path and you generally have a supportive environment,” said Riemer.

One provision of the bill is that most of the grapes must be grown in Montgomery County or in Maryland.