I think maybe this whole homemade wine thing falls pretty much under the
"Don't ask, don't tell." rules of proper government edicate. If you don't
go around poking the ATF in the eye with a sharp stick, they will pretty
much leave you alone. If nothing else, to avoid the inevitable bad PR the
big old ugly governemnt picking on the poor hapless home winemaker would
generate. Besides there's no real tax revenue to be gained by pestering the
average home winemaker.

Fred

"ernie" > wrote in message
...
> Ray wrote:
> > Good question. I asked ATF about the other. I don't want to ask about
this
> > one.
> >
> > Ray
> >
> > "Michael Brill" > wrote in message
> > om...
> >
> >>"Ray" > wrote in message
> >
> > .com>...
> >
> >>>Besides laws governing shipping of wine, I believe it is illegal in the
> >
> > US
> >
> >>>to trade homemade wine. You can only make it for personal consumption.
> >
> > You
> >
> >>>can serve it at you own table but you cannot legally give it away. It
> >
> > may
> >
> >>>be one of those laws that are ignored in general but if you start a
> >
> > formal
> >
> >>>club based on it I think they will take a dim view of it.
> >>>
> >>
> >>I often wondered about this. Can I assume that every home winemaking
> >>competition is illegal?
> >
>
>
> Actually, the regulations explicity allow you to enter competitions. The
> complete regulations for winemaking, including home winemaking are at
>
>
> http://www.atf.gov/regulations/27cfr24.htm
>
> Section 24.75 says this:
>
> (f) Removal. Wine produced under this section may be removed from
> the premises where made for personal or family use including use at
> organized affairs, exhibitions or competitions, such as home
winemaker's
> contests, tastings or judgings, but may not under any circumstances be
> sold or offered for sale.
>
> It doesn't say anything prohibiting the mailing of bottles to
competitions.
>