About TN Wine & Grape Board

Established by law on July 1, 2019, the Tennessee Wine and Grape Board (Tenn. Code Ann. § 57-3-1101) replaced the Viticulture Advisory Board (VAB) that had been established in 1985. Following the initial spirit of the VAB in promoting and growing the commercial grape and wine industry in Tennessee.

A major difference in the newly created  Wine and Grape Board is that its legislative directive allows it to acquire, hold, and spend money in the pursuit of fulfilling its legislated duties; (1) lncrease the number of wineries in this state; (2) lmprove the quality of wine produced by wineries in this state; (3) Promote the wine industry and viticulture in this state; and (4) lmplement and maintain a wholesaler rebate program for Tennessee wineries. In addition the Board shall issue an annual report on the wine industry and viticulture in this state and on current and future activities of the board, and shall submit the report to the governor, the commissioner of finance and administration, the chair of the agriculture and natural resources committee of the house of representatives, and the chair of the energy, agriculture and natural resources committee of the senate.

The Wine and Grape Board consists of 7 Members; (1) The commissioner of agriculture, or the commissioner’s designee; (2) The commissioner of tourism, or the commissioner’s designee; (3) A Tennessee wine producer, appointed by the governor; (4) A Tennessee grape or fruit producer, appointed by the governor; (5) A person in higher education with a background in fermentation or viticulture, appointed by the governor; and (6) Two (2) members who are involved, with respect to the wine industry in this state, in production, marketing, sales, journalism, or education, appointed by the governor.