A. In any local option district, a person qualified under the provisions of the Liquor Control Act [60-3A-1 NMSA 1978], except as otherwise provided in the Domestic Winery and Small Brewery Act [60-6A-21 to 60-6A-28 NMSA 1978], may apply for and be issued a wine blender's license.

B. A wine blender's license authorizes the person to whom it is issued to:

(1) package, rectify, blend, mix, flavor, color, label and export wine, whether manufactured or produced by him or any other person;

(2) sell only wine packaged by or for him to a person holding a New Mexico wine wholesaler's, wholesaler's, winegrower's or wine exporter's license or to a winegrower's agent;

(3) deal in warehouse receipts for wine; and

(4) be deemed a manufacturer for purposes of the Gross Receipts and Compensating Tax Act [Chapter 7, Article 9 NMSA 1978].

C. A wine blender's license does not authorize the person to whom it is issued:

(1) to crush, ferment and produce wine from grapes, berries and other fruits;

(2) to obtain or be issued a winer's license, a retailer's license or a dispenser's license;

(3) to buy, sell, receive or deliver wine from persons other than authorized licensees; or

(4) to conduct wine tastings or sell for consumption off premises, at retail, or to sponsor wine tastings, either on or off the wine blender's premises.

History: 1978 Comp., § 60-6A-24, enacted by Laws 1983, ch. 280, § 5; 1985, ch. 217, § 3; 1998, ch. 109, § 4.

The 1998 amendment, effective July 1, 1998, added Subsection B and redesignated former Subsection B as Subsection C, rewriting the subsection.