We just went though the process, so I have some recent notes that I can share. Honestly, for 25 cases (a barrel of wine) it’s likely not worth it. You’re better off finding 10 or so friends to split the costs in making a home wine. You’ll have to check with your city and county officials to see if it’s even possible to permit a winery in your garage. Here in San Mateo county (where I live) and San Francisco county (where the winery is) we’re pretty limited (but not as much so as other counties).
That said, below is a list of the ABC and TTB forms we were required to file. Note that the ABC wants copies of your TTB application and will need your final Basic Permit before they progress/approve the ABC license. TTB takes about 4 months, and the California ABC takes much longer (8-10 months if I remember).
ABC
ABC-140 Tied-House Restrictions
ABC-208-B Individual Financial Affidavit
ABC-211-A License Transfer Request (“Sign Off”)
ABC-211-SIG Application Signature Sheet (“Sign On”)
ABC-217 Application Questionnaire
ABC-243 Corporate Questionnaire
ABC-253 Supplemental Diagram
ABC-255 Zoning Affidavit
ABC-257 Licensed Premises Diagram
ABC-257-NR Licensed Premises Diagram - Non Retail
TTB
5000.8 Power Of Attorney
5000.9 Personnel Questionnaire
5100.1 Signing Authority for Corporate and LLC Officials
5630.5d Alcohol Dealer Registration
5000.29 Environmental Information
5000.30 Supplemental Information on Water Quality Considerations
5100.24 Application For Basic Permit
5120.25 Application To Establish And Operate Wine Premises
5120.36 Wine Bond
The TTB also provides this nice checklist of everything that’s needed http://www.ttb.gov/applications/pdf/winery_checklist.pdf
After all that’s done, you still need to apply for access to the TTB’s COLA (Certification of LabelApproval) system with form, 5013.2, COLA Online Access Request.
We also had to submit to the State Board of Equalization forms:
BOE-400-ETC - California Excise Taxes Permit Application
BOE-400-SPA - California Seller’s Permit Application
While it is possible to do this on your own, it’s better to work with someone who’s done it before and can manage the ABC and TTB process. There are many Compliance firms and Legal firms that specialize in this. Remember, this is only the process to make and sell wine in California. If you want to sell in other states, you’ll have to apply to each state’s Alcohol Beverage Control separately.
And, it doesn’t stop there… You’ll still have monthly tax reports to file with the State Board of Equalization and quarterly statements to the ABC, as well as TTB.
We make 100-200 cases that we sell in California. The paperwork and selling is what takes all our time.
Let me know if you’d like for me to send you some contacts to help you get through the process.