Paul Gregutt
Wine adviser
Q. I am contacting you in order to ask if you remember an article you had previously written explaining how to conduct a private collection wine sale (outlining correct procedures/forms in accordance with Washington State Liquor Board). It was well written, in a clear, concise manner, and I have been trying to locate this article to no avail. Thank you for your consideration.
A. To get an update, I contacted the WSLCB and got this helpful reply. I believe this is the information you are looking for.
Here’s the Washington State Liquor Control Board Accommodatino Sale Process:
1. The seller of the alcoholic beverages finds a buyer. The seller cannot be a liquor licensee.
2. The seller and buyer agree upon a price.
3. The buyer writes a cover letter explaining the transaction, listing how much alcoholic beverages is to be purchased and for what cost. The buyer must state that the product has been inspected and is satisfied with the quality. The letter must also include the seller’s Social
Security number (needed to process the check).
4. The buyer sends the cover letter along with a check for the agreed upon price to Liquor Purchasing, Washington State Liquor Control Board, P.O. Box 43096, Olympia, WA 98504-3096.
5. A fee of $25 or 1 percent, whichever is greater, will be deducted from the check and the Liquor Control Board will send the remainder of the payment to the seller.
6. Once the seller receives the check from the Liquor Control Board, the seller can release the alcoholic beverages to the buyer.
7. The alcoholic beverages can only be sold and bought in Washington state.
8. There is no limit on the quantity.
For further questions on the process, please contact Meagan Renick at 360-664-1759.