NEW YORK — New York lawmakers are heavily pushing legislation (S.1279A/A.1328A) in 2026 to allow wine sales in grocery stores, a move aimed at enhancing consumer convenience and supporting local wineries, according to reports from Spectrum News and News12 | Long Island. The proposal, championed by Senator Liz Krueger, faces debate over its impact on independent liquor stores, with supporters highlighting the potential for increased sales of local products, notes the New York State Senate (.gov).
The proposal has drawn support from large grocery chains, who say it's time for New York to align with most other states that already permit wine sales in supermarkets.
The legislation has faced repeated failures in previous years, but supporters say this version includes new protections for small businesses.
Key details of the proposal, as discussed on New York State of Wine and by Spectrum News, include:
- Targeted Licenses: The bill targets full-service, 4,000+ sq ft grocery stores already licensed to sell beer, excluding small convenience stores, reports Senator Liz Krueger and News12 | Long Island.
- NY Wine Focus: It heavily incentivizes the sale of New York-produced wines, says the New York State Senate (.gov).
- Protection Measures: Recent amendments aim to protect existing small businesses, including restrictions on sales within 500 feet of existing liquor stores, notes Senator Liz Krueger and New York State of Wine.
- Opposition & Support: While supermarket chains support the move, many independent liquor store owners argue it will destroy their businesses, as reported by News12 | Long Island and Spectrum News.
As of late March 2026, the legislation was not part of the state budget negotiations, according to Spectrum News.
