{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/4.1-400.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/4.1-400.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/4.1-400.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/4.1-400.html"}],"law_id":83781,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83781,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-400","catch_line":"Construction and purpose","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 4-118.22; 1985, c. 542, \u00a7 4-118.42; 1989, c. 10; 1993, c. 866.","full_text":"This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies.\n\t\tThe underlying purposes and policies of the chapter are:\n\n1\n\nTo promote the interests of the parties and the public in fair business relations between wine wholesalers and wineries, and in the continuation of wine wholesalerships on a fair basis;2\n\nTo preserve and protect the existing three-tier system for the distribution of wine, which system is deemed material to the proper regulation by the Board of the distribution of alcoholic beverages;3\n\nTo prohibit unfair treatment of wine wholesalers by wineries, promote compliance with valid franchise agreements, and define certain rights and remedies of wineries in regard to cancellation of franchise agreements with wholesalers;4\n\nTo establish conditions for creation and continuation of all wholesale wine distributorships, including original agreements and any renewals or amendments thereto, to the full extent consistent with the laws and Constitutions of the Commonwealth and the United States; and5\n\nTo provide for a system of designation and registration of franchise agreements between wineries and wholesalers with the Board as an aid to Board regulation of the distribution of wine by wholesalers.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":300326,"text":"This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies.\n\t\tThe underlying purposes and policies of the chapter are:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":300327,"text":"To promote the interests of the parties and the public in fair business relations between wine wholesalers and wineries, and in the continuation of wine wholesalerships on a fair basis;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":300328,"text":"To preserve and protect the existing three-tier system for the distribution of wine, which system is deemed material to the proper regulation by the Board of the distribution of alcoholic beverages;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":300329,"text":"To prohibit unfair treatment of wine wholesalers by wineries, promote compliance with valid franchise agreements, and define certain rights and remedies of wineries in regard to cancellation of franchise agreements with wholesalers;","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":300330,"text":"To establish conditions for creation and continuation of all wholesale wine distributorships, including original agreements and any renewals or amendments thereto, to the full extent consistent with the laws and Constitutions of the Commonwealth and the United States; and","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":300331,"text":"To provide for a system of designation and registration of franchise agreements between wineries and wholesalers with the Board as an aid to Board regulation of the distribution of wine by wholesalers.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13869,"edition_id":1,"name":"Wine Franchise Act","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13130,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:08","permalink":{"id":219259,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13869,"identifier":"4","token":"4.1\/I\/4","url":"\/4.1\/I\/4\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13130,"edition_id":1,"name":"Alcoholic Beverage Control Act","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13129,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":218571,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13130,"identifier":"I","token":"4.1\/I","url":"\/4.1\/I\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13129,"edition_id":1,"name":"Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control","identifier":"4.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:19","permalink":{"id":218569,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13129,"identifier":"4.1","token":"4.1","url":"\/4.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":83781,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-400","catch_line":"Construction and purpose","url":"\/4.1-400\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-400","metadata":false},{"id":60540,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-401","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/4.1-401\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-401","metadata":false},{"id":55509,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-402","catch_line":"Applicability","url":"\/4.1-402\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-402","metadata":false},{"id":75909,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-403","catch_line":"No inducement or coercion","url":"\/4.1-403\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-403","metadata":false},{"id":60486,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-404","catch_line":"Sales territory","url":"\/4.1-404\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-404","metadata":false},{"id":59612,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-405","catch_line":"Sale of winery","url":"\/4.1-405\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-405","metadata":false},{"id":72000,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-406","catch_line":"Cancellation","url":"\/4.1-406\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-406","metadata":false},{"id":78096,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-407","catch_line":"Notice of intent to terminate","url":"\/4.1-407\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-407","metadata":false},{"id":78276,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-408","catch_line":"Transfer of business","url":"\/4.1-408\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-408","metadata":false},{"id":62136,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-409","catch_line":"Remedies","url":"\/4.1-409\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-409","metadata":false},{"id":66145,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-410","catch_line":"Board proceedings and appellate review","url":"\/4.1-410\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-410","metadata":false},{"id":85496,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-411","catch_line":"Price of product","url":"\/4.1-411\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-411","metadata":false},{"id":63605,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-412","catch_line":"Increase of prices","url":"\/4.1-412\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-412","metadata":false},{"id":86203,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-413","catch_line":"Retaliatory action prohibited","url":"\/4.1-413\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-413","metadata":false},{"id":86032,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-414","catch_line":"Management","url":"\/4.1-414\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-414","metadata":false},{"id":54897,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-415","catch_line":"Discrimination prohibited","url":"\/4.1-415\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-415","metadata":false},{"id":80880,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-416","catch_line":"Waiver prohibited; conflicts of laws","url":"\/4.1-416\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-416","metadata":false},{"id":78176,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-417","catch_line":"Right of free association","url":"\/4.1-417\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-417","metadata":false},{"id":82038,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-418","catch_line":"Reasonableness and good faith","url":"\/4.1-418\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-418","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":60540,"structure_id":13869,"section_number":"4.1-401","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/4.1-401\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-401","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/4.1-400\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1985, chapter 542; in 1989, chapter 10; in 1993, chapter 866.<\/p>","references":[{"id":74830,"section_number":"4.1-218","catch_line":"Limitation on wine and beer importers","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-218\/"},{"id":56780,"section_number":"4.1-225","catch_line":"Grounds for which Board may suspend or revoke licenses; exception","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-225\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":219261,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83781,"identifier":"4.1-400","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-400","url":"\/4.1-400\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/4.1-400\/","token":"4.1\/I\/4\/4.1-400","dublin_core":{"Title":"Construction and purpose","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 4.1-400","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies.\n\t\tThe underlying purposes and policies of the chapter are:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> To promote the interests of the parties and the public in fair business relations between wine wholesalers<\/span> and wineries, and in the continuation of wine wholesalerships on a fair basis; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> To preserve and protect the existing three-tier system for the distribution of wine, which system is deemed material<\/span> to the proper regulation by the Board<\/span> of the distribution of alcoholic beverages<\/span>; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> To prohibit unfair treatment of wine wholesalers<\/span> by wineries, promote compliance with valid franchise agreements<\/span>, and define certain rights and remedies of wineries in regard to cancellation of franchise agreements<\/span> with wholesalers; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> To establish conditions for creation and continuation of all wholesale wine distributorships, including original agreements<\/span> and any renewals or amendments thereto, to the full extent consistent with the laws<\/span> and Constitutions of the Commonwealth and the United States; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> To provide for a system of designation and registration of franchise agreements<\/span> between wineries and wholesalers with the Board<\/span> as an aid to Board<\/span> regulation of the distribution of wine by wholesalers. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONSTRUCTION AND PURPOSE (\u00a7 4.1-400)\n\nThis chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying\npurposes and policies.\n\t\tThe underlying purposes and policies of the chapter are:\n\n1. To promote the interests of the parties and the public in fair business\nrelations between wine wholesalers and wineries, and in the continuation of wine\nwholesalerships on a fair basis;\n\n2. To preserve and protect the existing three-tier system for the distribution\nof wine, which system is deemed material to the proper regulation by the Board\nof the distribution of alcoholic beverages;\n\n3. To prohibit unfair treatment of wine wholesalers by wineries, promote\ncompliance with valid franchise agreements, and define certain rights and\nremedies of wineries in regard to cancellation of franchise agreements with\nwholesalers;\n\n4. To establish conditions for creation and continuation of all wholesale wine\ndistributorships, including original agreements and any renewals or amendments\nthereto, to the full extent consistent with the laws and Constitutions of the\nCommonwealth and the United States; and\n\n5. To provide for a system of designation and registration of franchise\nagreements between wineries and wholesalers with the Board as an aid to Board\nregulation of the distribution of wine by wholesalers.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 4-118.22; 1985, c. 542, \u00a7 4-118.42; 1989, c. 10; 1993,\nc. 866.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}