June 22, 2026
If you’re planning a visit to a Virginia distillery, there’s exciting news.
Beginning July 1, 2026, Virginia law allows distilleries to offer expanded tasting and cocktail experiences by increasing the daily on-site consumption limit from 3 ounces to 6 ounces per guest.
For visitors, that means more opportunities to enjoy handcrafted cocktails, guided tastings and Virginia-made spirits while exploring some of the commonwealth’s most unique destinations.
Whether you’re interested in Virginia whiskey, gin, rum, brandy or vodka, the new law gives Virginia distilleries greater flexibility to create memorable guest experiences.
Virginia distilleries are known for combining award-winning spirits with unique hospitality experiences. Beginning July 1, guests may begin to see:
Instead of choosing between a tasting flight and a cocktail, visitors may now be able to enjoy both while learning more about the spirits being produced throughout Virginia.
The July 1 changes are a reflection of how much Virginia’s distilling industry has grown over the past two decades.
When Virginia first established tasting room regulations for craft distilleries, the industry was still emerging. The 3-ounce limit provided a framework that allowed consumers to sample products while helping distilleries introduce visitors to Virginia-made spirits in a responsible way.
Since then, Virginia’s distilling industry has evolved dramatically.
Today, more than 80 distilleries operate across the commonwealth, producing award-winning whiskey, bourbon, gin, rum, vodka, brandy and specialty spirits. Distilleries have become destinations for tourism, education and hospitality, welcoming visitors from across Virginia and beyond.
As consumer expectations have changed, so too has the role of the modern distillery. Visitors are looking for immersive experiences that may include guided tastings, handcrafted cocktails, educational tours, special events and opportunities to learn directly from the people making the spirits.
The previous 3-ounce limit often restricted how distilleries could structure those experiences. By increasing the limit to 6 ounces, Virginia is modernizing its regulations to better reflect today’s craft spirits industry while continuing to support responsible consumption.
The result is a better visitor experience, greater flexibility for distilleries and more opportunities for consumers to explore the quality and diversity of Virginia-made spirits.
This change isn’t about serving more spirits. It’s about creating more opportunities to discover, experience and celebrate the craftsmanship that has made Virginia one of the country’s most exciting craft spirits destinations.
Virginia is home to more than 80 distilleries located across the commonwealth, from the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley to Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia and Richmond.
These distilleries have become important tourism destinations, attracting visitors looking for unique experiences, locally made products and authentic connections with the people behind the spirits.
The July 1 changes help Virginia distilleries create experiences that encourage longer visits, deeper exploration and greater appreciation for Virginia craft spirits.
For travelers searching for things to do in Virginia, a distillery visit offers the opportunity to discover award-winning spirits, enjoy handcrafted cocktails and experience the growing Virginia spirits industry firsthand.
As Virginia distilleries prepare for expanded tasting and cocktail experiences, visitors naturally have questions. We’ve gathered some of the most common questions to help you better understand what’s changing and what it means for your next distillery visit.
Beginning July 1, 2026, Virginia distilleries may serve up to 6 ounces of spirits per guest, per day, doubling the previous 3 ounce limit. The legislation also expands how distilleries can serve cocktails and curated tasting experiences.
Yes. Virginia distilleries may continue offering tours, tastings, educational experiences and cocktail programs. Individual offerings vary by location.
No. Every distillery may choose how they want to structure their tasting room experience. Some may focus on cocktail programs, while others may offer expanded flights, educational tastings or seasonal menus.
Virginia is home to more than 80 licensed distilleries producing whiskey, bourbon, gin, rum, vodka, brandy and other craft spirits.
Guests may enjoy up to 6 ounces of spirits total during their visit to a Virginia distillery tasting room. This can be experienced through cocktails, flights, tastings or other curated spirit experiences offered by the distillery.
No. Virginia law still limits service to a maximum of 6 ounces of spirits per guest, per day at a distillery. Distilleries are expected to continue serving responsibly.
Yes. Virginia distilleries can continue selling bottles of eligible Virginia-made spirits through their ABC store operations.
Yes. Under the new law, food must be “reasonably available” whenever spirits are served.
Food may be provided by:
The legislation was designed to modernize Virginia’s distillery industry, support tourism and help Virginia distilleries compete more effectively with tasting room experiences in other states.
No. The legislation specifically affects licensed Virginia distilleries and the amount of spirits they may serve in tasting rooms.
Plan ahead, visit responsibly and explore Virginia distilleries across the commonwealth. Beginning July 1, guests will have more ways than ever to discover the Birthplace of American Spirits.
You can explore distilleriese near you by visiting our Spirits Trail or downloading the Virginia Spirits Passport App.
