KEITH RIPP "SAVE THE WINE WALKS" LEGISLATION PASSES

Madison- The Wisconsin State Assembly passed a bill Thursday authored by Representative Keith Ripp (R-Lodi) that would allow Wisconsin communities to continue operating wine walk events, a local tourism and economic tool primarily used by lower population downtown districts.

 

Over the past decade, communities in Southwest and South Central Wisconsin have promoted businesses in their area by sponsoring events called Wine or Beer Walks. During these events, the hosting organization will purchase the wine or beer to be used at the participating businesses. Patrons of legal drinking age purchase a ticket from the hosting organization and are given a wine or beer glass. The patron can then walk to each business involved in the event and sample wine or beer while they are inside the business premises.

 

In April 2015, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue issued an update to Publication 302 – Wisconsin Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco Laws for Retailers that specifically clarified that Wine Walk events have always been and are currently illegal. Among other minor restrictions, municipalities are not allowed under current law to issue more than two temporary “Class B” picnic licenses to the same organization in a twelve-month period. SB 236 is an attempt to allow communities to operate these events in their area, but within the current framework of the law concerning temporary “Class B” picnic licenses.

 

“Serving a district that already hosts these events successfully a few times a year, I have seen firsthand how successful they can be as a tool for downtown promotion and tourism by drawing people downtown that might not otherwise go into these businesses,” Ripp said. “It’s a really great way for a new start-ups to introduce themselves to the area and make those personal connections early on that can sometimes be the difference between staying in business and closing doors.”

 

These wine and beer walks also help local communities to promote and improve themselves without relying on the state or municipality for funding. In many cases, the revenue raised by these events accounts for 50% or more of the hosting organization’s budget for the year. Those funds are then thrown directly back into other promotion and tourism events or improvement projects that increase their area’s attractiveness locally and across the state.

 

“Apart from the funds they raise, the organizations throwing these events are already doing a great job of policing themselves to make sure these are the safest events they can be,” Ripp added. “All of the areas I’ve heard from only use 1 oz. pours at each location, they try to coordinate with a designated driver program, and ask for IDs at each location, even if you’re wearing a wrist band. I am happy we were able to find a solution to allow for these highly beneficial events to continue.”

 

The Wisconsin Assembly and Senate approved this bill with broad bipartisan support. It now goes to the Governor’s desk for signature.