Maryland Alcoholic Beverages Section 8-412

      (a)      This section applies only in Wicomico County.

      (b)      (1)      The Board of License Commissioners may issue a wine tasting (WT) license for wine tasting and sampling.

            (2)      A WT license may be issued only to a holder of a Class A beer and wine (off-sale) license.

      (c)      The annual WT license fee is $150.

      (d)      (1)      An application for a WT license shall be made on a form that the Board of License Commissioners provides.

            (2)      A renewal of the WT license may be made at the time the Class A beer and wine (off-sale) license is renewed.

            (3)      The Board of License Commissioners may grant a WT license without a hearing.

            (4)      If application for a WT license is denied, the applicant may request a public hearing before the Board of License Commissioners.

      (e)      (1)      A WT license holder may not serve to any person for sampling or tasting purposes more than 1 ounce from each brand.

            (2)      A maximum of six bottles may be opened at any one time at a wine sampling or tasting event.

            (3)      The total number of days during which wine sampling or tasting events are held may not exceed 15 in any period for which a WT license is in effect.

            (4)      A WT license holder shall notify the Board of License Commissioners in writing at least 5 days before a wine sampling or tasting event.

            (5)      Once opened, each bottle used for a wine sampling or tasting event shall be marked that it is to be used for that purpose only.

            (6)      The contents of each bottle may not be mixed with any other bottle, and all bottles shall be destroyed once they are empty.

      (f)      (1)      A WT license is for on-premises consumption only.

            (2)      Wine sampling or tasting may not be conducted from a drive-through window.