Iowa

Effective July 1, 2023, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division (ABD) is a part of Iowa’s Department of Revenue. Prior to July 1, 2024, ABC was under the Department of Commerce. Iowa holds control of spirits at the wholesale level.

State law prohibits dry localities.

Definition: “Wine” means any beverage containing more than 6.25% alcohol by volume, but not more than 21.25% of alcohol by volume obtained by the fermentation of the natural sugar content of fruits or other agricultural products but excluding any product containing alcohol derived from malt or by the distillation process from grain cereal, molasses, or cactus.  (SF 618, effective July 1, 2019, amends Iowa Code §123.3 Definitions.)

Laws & Rules:

• Alcohol Statutes (Ch. 123)
• Iowa Administrative Code chapter 701—1003 (The Department rescinded all existing agency procedure rules under the Lottery Authority, Alcoholic Beverages Division, and IDR and replaced them with a new set of rules under agency number 701, effective May 7, 2025.)
• IA Liquor Law Summary
• Rulemaking

Required: Yes

Name: Vintner’s Certificate of Compliance (CV) – Vintners, manufacturers, importers of wine

Fee: $200

Expiration: 1 year from issue date

A Vintner’s Certificate of Compliance (CV) allows a manufacturer, vintner, bottler, importer or vendor to ship wine into Iowa for resale by licensed wine wholesalers. Applicants must apply online using GovConnectIowa.

Legislation (SF 2324) enacted in 2022 increased the annual fee from $100 to $200. In addition, the new law simplifies the renewal process by allowing for automatic renewal of the license upon payment of the $200 fee.

Resources:

• Apply Online – GovConnectIowa
• Automatic Renewal Program
• eLAPS will be retired on 10/22/25

Required: No

Price Posting: Not Required

The administrative rule requiring wine labels of products sold in Iowa to be submitted to the Division has been rescinded (see ARC 8730C, rescinding 185–Chapter 14).  This change became effective on May 7, 2025.

Resources:

• Beverage Deposit Law
• Wine Institute Iowa Bottle Bill Resource 

Franchise Law: No

Exclusive Territories: Not Required

Iowa does not have a franchise law for wine.

Required: No

Effective Nov. 3, 2025, Vintners Certificate of Compliance holders are no longer required to submit monthly shipment reports to DOR.

Available: No

The holder of a vintner’s certificate of compliance is not required to register or obtain permits for employees in Iowa.  Only Class “A” permit holders (wholesalers) are required to register sales representatives with the division.

Resources:

• IC §123.180(3) Vintner’s certificate of compliance — wholesale and retail restrictions —penalty
• License Classifications

Allowed: Yes as of July 1, 2026

License: Required

License Fee: $100

Excise Tax: Required

Reporting: Required

Iowa passed legislation HF 2780 in 2026 that allows out-of-state wineries to sell directly to licensed retailers in Iowa, effective July 1, 2026.

Under the new law (Iowa Code section 123.176A), a nonnative wine manufacturer may apply for a class “A” wine permit and to sell or sell at wholesale wine the manufacturer has manufactured on its permitted or licensed premises that are located in a state outside of Iowa, provided the wine is properly
registered with TTB. Class “A” wine permits are governed by Iowa Code sections 123.173, 123.175, and 123.177, which generally allow a resident holder of the permit to manufacture and sell or sell at wholesale wine for consumption off premises in Iowa

The annual fee for a class “A” wine permit issued to a manufacturer at $100, which is the same as the annual class “A” wine permit fee issued to a native manufacturer.

Resources: 

• HF 2780
• Background Memo 

• Iowa Trade Practice Rules Reference Guide (issued May 7, 2026)
• Bulletins
  • Tastings by Industry Members Bulletin
  • Sampling Bulletin
• Alcohol FAQs
• License Classifications