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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>55602</law_id><section_number>4.1-100</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>1-404</reference><reference>10.1-1425.23</reference><reference>18.2-308.012</reference><reference>2.2-511</reference><reference>3.2-102</reference><reference>3.2-3000</reference><reference>3.2-3007</reference><reference>3.2-5116</reference><reference>4.1-206.3</reference><reference>51.1-212</reference><reference>58.1-1101</reference><reference>58.1-3505</reference><reference>58.1-3507</reference><reference>58.1-3833</reference><reference>65.2-107</reference><reference>65.2-402</reference><reference>65.2-402.1</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="4.1">Alcoholic Beverage and Cannabis Control</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="I">Alcoholic Beverage Control Act</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="1">Definitions and General Provisions</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>As used in this subtitle unless the context requires a different meaning:
		&#x201C;Alcohol&#x201D; means the product known as ethyl or grain alcohol obtained by distillation of any fermented liquor, rectified either once or more often, whatever the origin, and shall include synthetic ethyl alcohol, but shall not include methyl alcohol and alcohol completely denatured in accordance with formulas approved by the government of the United States.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Alcohol vaporizing device</span>&#x201D; means any device, machine, or process that mixes any alcoholic beverages with pure oxygen or other gas to produce a vaporized product for the purpose of consumption by inhalation.
		&#x201C;Alcoholic beverages&#x201D; includes alcohol, <span class="dictionary">spirits</span>, wine, and beer, and any one or more of such varieties containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume, including <span class="dictionary">mixed alcoholic beverages</span>, and every liquid or solid, powder or crystal, patented or not, containing alcohol, <span class="dictionary">spirits</span>, wine, or beer and capable of being consumed by a human being. Any liquid or solid containing more than one of the four varieties shall be considered as belonging to that variety which has the higher percentage of alcohol, however obtained, according to the <span class="dictionary">order</span> in which they are set forth in this definition; except that beer may be manufactured to include flavoring <span class="dictionary">materials</span> and other nonbeverage ingredients containing alcohol, as long as no more than 49 percent of the overall alcohol content of the finished product is derived from the addition of flavors and other nonbeverage ingredients containing alcohol for products with an alcohol content of no more than six percent by volume; or, in the case of products with an alcohol content of more than six percent by volume, as long as no more than one and one-half percent of the volume of the finished product consists of alcohol derived from added flavors and other nonbeverage ingredients containing alcohol.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Arts venue</span>&#x201D; means a commercial or nonprofit establishment that is open to the public and in which works of art are sold or displayed.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Authority</span>&#x201D; means the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control <span class="dictionary">Authority</span> created pursuant to this subtitle.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Barrel</span>&#x201D; means any <span class="dictionary">container</span> or vessel having a capacity of more than 43 ounces.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Bed and breakfast establishment</span>&#x201D; means any establishment (i) having no more than 15 bedrooms; (ii) offering to the public, for compensation, transitory lodging or sleeping accommodations; and (iii) offering at least one meal per day, which may but need not be breakfast, to each person to whom overnight lodging is provided. For purposes of the licensing requirements of this subtitle, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">bed and breakfast establishment</span>&#x201D; includes any property offered to the public for short-term rental, as that term is defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Creation of registry for short-term rental of property" href="/15.2-983/">15.2-983</a>, other than a <span class="dictionary">hotel</span> as defined in this section, regardless of whether a meal is offered to each person to whom overnight lodging is provided.
		&#x201C;Beer&#x201D; means any alcoholic beverage obtained by the fermentation of an infusion or decoction of barley, malt, and hops or of any similar products in drinkable water and containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Board</span>&#x201D; means the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control <span class="dictionary">Authority</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Bottle</span>&#x201D; means any vessel intended to contain liquids and having a capacity of not more than 43 ounces.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Bus</span>&#x201D; means a motor vehicle that (i) is operated by a common carrier <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> under Chapter 20 (&#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-2000/">46.2-2000</a> et seq.) of Title 46.2 to transport passengers for compensation over the highways of the Commonwealth on regular or irregular routes of not less than 100 miles, (ii) seats no more than 24 passengers, (iii) is 40 feet in length or longer, (iv) offers wireless Internet services, (v) is equipped with charging stations at every seat for cellular phones or other portable devices, and (vi) during the transportation of passengers, is staffed by an attendant who has satisfied all training requirements set forth in this subtitle or <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulation.
		&#x201C;Club&#x201D; means any private nonprofit corporation or association which is the owner, lessee, or occupant of an establishment operated solely for a national, social, patriotic, political, athletic, or other like purpose, but not for pecuniary gain, the advantages of which belong to all of the members. It also means the establishment so operated. A corporation or association shall not lose its status as a club because of the conduct of charitable gaming conducted pursuant to Article 1.1:1 (&#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="State control of charitable gaming" href="/18.2-340.15/">18.2-340.15</a> et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 18.2 in which nonmembers participate frequently or in large numbers, provided that no alcoholic beverages are served or consumed in the room where such charitable gaming is being conducted while such gaming is being conducted and that no alcoholic beverages are made available upon the premises to any person who is neither a member nor a bona fide guest of a member.
		Any such corporation or association which has been declared exempt from federal and state income taxes as one which is not organized and operated for pecuniary gain or profit shall be deemed a nonprofit corporation or association.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Commercial lifestyle center</span>&#x201D; means a mixed-use commercial development covering a minimum of 10 acres of land and having at least 100,000 square feet of retail space featuring national specialty chain stores and a combination of dining, entertainment, office, residential, or <span class="dictionary">hotel</span> <span class="dictionary">establishments</span> located in a physically integrated outdoor setting that is pedestrian friendly and that is governed by a commercial owners&#x2019; association that is responsible for the management, maintenance, and operation of the common areas thereof.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Container</span>&#x201D; means any <span class="dictionary">barrel</span>, <span class="dictionary">bottle</span>, carton, keg, vessel, or other receptacle used for holding alcoholic beverages.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Contract winemaking facility</span>&#x201D; means the premises of a <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> winery or <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> that obtains grapes, fruits, and other agricultural products from a person holding a winery or <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> license and crushes, processes, ferments, <span class="dictionary">bottles</span>, or provides any combination of such services pursuant to an agreement with the winery or <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>. For all purposes of this subtitle, wine produced by a <span class="dictionary">contract winemaking facility</span> for a winery or <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> shall be considered to be wine owned and produced by the winery or <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> that supplied the grapes, fruits, or other agricultural products used in the production of the wine. The <span class="dictionary">contract winemaking facility</span> shall have no right to <span class="dictionary">sell</span> the wine so produced, unless the terms of payment have not been fulfilled in accordance with the contract. The <span class="dictionary">contract winemaking facility</span> may charge the winery or <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> for its services. A winery <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> may utilize contract winemaking services only for the manufacture or processing of wine of which no less than 90 percent of the grapes, fruits, and other agricultural products used to make such wine are grown in the Commonwealth.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Convenience grocery store</span>&#x201D; means an establishment that (i) has an enclosed room in a permanent structure where stock is displayed and offered for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> and (ii) maintains an inventory of edible items intended for human consumption consisting of a variety of such items of the types normally sold in <span class="dictionary">grocery stores</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Culinary lodging resort</span>&#x201D; means a facility (i) having not less than 13 overnight guest rooms in a building that has at least 20,000 square feet of indoor floor space; (ii) located on a farm in the Commonwealth with at least 1,000 acres of <span class="dictionary">land zoned agricultural</span>; (iii) equipped with a full-service kitchen; and (iv) offering to the public, for compensation, at least one meal per day, lodging, and recreational and educational activities related to farming, livestock, and other rural activities.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Delicatessen</span>&#x201D; means an establishment that <span class="dictionary">sells</span> a variety of prepared foods or foods requiring little preparation, such as cheeses, salads, cooked meats, and related condiments.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Designated area</span>&#x201D; means a room or area approved by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> for on-premises <span class="dictionary">licensees</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Dining area</span>&#x201D; means a public room or area in which meals are regularly served.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Drugstore</span>&#x201D; means an establishment that <span class="dictionary">sells</span> medicines prepared by a <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> pharmacist pursuant to a prescription and other medicines and items for home and general use.
		&#x201C;Establishment&#x201D; means any place where alcoholic beverages of one or more varieties are lawfully manufactured, sold, or used.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Farm winery</span>&#x201D; means (i) an establishment or <span class="dictionary">cooperative</span> located in the Commonwealth on <span class="dictionary">land zoned agricultural</span> that has (a) a vineyard, orchard, or similar growing area that produces fruits or other agricultural products used to manufacture the wine of such <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span>, subject to the requirements set forth in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Limitations on Class I, II, III, and IV farm wineries" href="/4.1-219/">4.1-219</a>, and (b) facilities for fermenting and bottling wine on the premises where such <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> manufactures wine that contains not more than 21 percent alcohol by volume or (ii) an accredited public or private institution of higher education, provided that (a) no wine manufactured by the institution shall be sold, (b) the wine manufactured by the institution shall be used solely for research and educational purposes, (c) the wine manufactured by the institution shall be stored on the premises of such <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> that shall be separate and apart from all other facilities of the institution, and (d) such <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> is operated in strict conformance with the requirements of this clause (ii) and <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulations. As used in this definition, the term &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">cooperative</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">cooperative</span> formed by an association of individuals for the purpose of manufacturing wine. In determining whether a <span class="dictionary">cooperative</span> <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> as a <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> has met the requirements set forth in clause (i), the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall consider all land in the Commonwealth that is owned or leased by a member of the <span class="dictionary">cooperative</span>. For purposes of this definition, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">land zoned agricultural</span>&#x201D; means (1) land zoned as an agricultural district or classification or (2) land otherwise permitted by a locality for <span class="dictionary">farm winery</span> use. For purposes of this definition, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">land zoned agricultural</span>&#x201D; does not include land zoned &#x201C;residential conservation.&#x201D; Except for the limitation on land zoned &#x201C;residential conservation,&#x201D; nothing in the definition of &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">land zoned agricultural</span>&#x201D; shall otherwise limit or affect local zoning <span class="dictionary">authority</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Gift shop</span>&#x201D; means any bona fide retail store selling, predominantly, gifts, books, souvenirs, specialty items relating to history, original and handmade arts and products, collectibles, crafts, and floral arrangements, which is open to the public on a regular basis. Such shop shall be a permanent structure where stock is displayed and offered for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> and which has facilities to properly secure any stock of wine or beer. Such shop may be located (i) on the premises or grounds of a government registered national, state or local historic building or site or (ii) within the premises of a museum. The <span class="dictionary">Board</span> shall consider the purpose, characteristics, nature, and operation of the shop in determining whether it shall be considered a <span class="dictionary">gift shop</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Gourmet brewing shop</span>&#x201D; means an establishment which <span class="dictionary">sells</span> to persons to whom wine or beer may lawfully be sold, ingredients for making wine or brewing beer, including packaging, and rents to such persons facilities for manufacturing, fermenting and bottling such wine or beer.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Gourmet oyster house</span>&#x201D; means an establishment that (i) is located on the premises of a commercial marina, (ii) is permitted by the Department of Health to serve oysters and other fresh seafood for consumption on the premises, and (iii) offers to the public events for the purpose of featuring and educating the consuming public about local oysters and other seafood products.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Gourmet shop</span>&#x201D; means an establishment provided with adequate inventory, shelving, and storage facilities, where, in consideration of payment, substantial amounts of domestic and imported <span class="dictionary">wines</span> and <span class="dictionary">beers</span> of various types and sizes and related products such as cheeses and gourmet foods are habitually furnished to persons.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Government store</span>&#x201D; means a store established by the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span> for the <span class="dictionary">sale</span> of alcoholic beverages.
		&#x201C;Grocery store&#x201D; means an establishment that <span class="dictionary">sells</span> food and other items intended for human consumption, including a variety of ingredients commonly used in the preparation of meals.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Historic cinema house</span>&#x201D; means a nonprofit establishment exempt from taxation under &#xA7;&#xA0;501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that was built prior to 1970 and that exists for the primary purpose of showing <span class="dictionary">motion</span> pictures to the public.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Hotel</span>&#x201D; means any duly <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> establishment, provided with special space and accommodation, where, in consideration of payment, food and lodging are habitually furnished to persons, and which has four or more bedrooms. It shall also mean the person who operates such <span class="dictionary">hotel</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Interdicted person</span>&#x201D; means a person to whom the <span class="dictionary">sale</span> of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by <span class="dictionary">order</span> pursuant to this subtitle.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Internet wine and beer retailer</span>&#x201D; means a person who owns or operates an establishment with adequate inventory, shelving, and storage facilities, where, in consideration of payment, Internet or telephone <span class="dictionary">orders</span> are taken and shipped directly to consumers and which establishment is not a retail store open to the public.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Intoxicated</span>&#x201D; means a condition in which a person has drunk enough alcoholic beverages to observably affect his manner, <span class="dictionary">disposition</span>, speech, muscular movement, general <span class="dictionary">appearance</span>, or behavior.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Licensed</span>&#x201D; means the holding of a valid license granted by the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Licensee</span>&#x201D; means any person to whom a license has been granted by the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Liqueur</span>&#x201D; means any of a class of highly flavored alcoholic beverages that do not exceed an alcohol content of 25 percent by volume.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Low alcohol beverage cooler</span>&#x201D; means a drink containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume, but not more than seven and one-half percent alcohol by volume, and consisting of <span class="dictionary">spirits</span> mixed with nonalcoholic beverages or flavoring or coloring <span class="dictionary">materials</span>; it may also contain water, fruit juices, fruit adjuncts, sugar, carbon dioxide, preservatives or other similar products manufactured by fermenting fruit or fruit juices. <span class="dictionary">Low alcohol beverage coolers</span> shall be treated as wine for all purposes of this subtitle, except that <span class="dictionary">low alcohol beverage coolers</span> may be manufactured by a <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> distiller or a distiller located outside the Commonwealth.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Marina store</span>&#x201D; means an establishment that is located on the same premises as a marina, is operated by the owner of such marina, and <span class="dictionary">sells</span> food and nautical and fishing supplies.
		&#x201C;Meals&#x201D; means, for a <span class="dictionary">mixed beverage</span> license, an assortment of foods commonly ordered in bona fide, full-service <span class="dictionary">restaurants</span> as principal meals of the day. Such <span class="dictionary">restaurants</span> shall include <span class="dictionary">establishments</span> specializing in full course meals with a single substantial entree.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Member of a club</span>&#x201D; means (i) a person who maintains his membership in the club by the payment of monthly, quarterly, or annual dues in the manner established by the rules and regulations thereof or (ii) a person who is a member of a bona fide auxiliary, local chapter, or squadron composed of direct lineal descendants of a bona fide member, whether alive or deceased, of a national or international organization to which an individual lodge holding a club license is an authorized member in the same locality. It shall also mean a lifetime member whose financial contribution is not less than 10 times the annual dues of resident members of the club, the full amount of such contribution being paid in advance in a lump sum.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Mixed beverage</span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">mixed alcoholic beverage</span>&#x201D; means a drink composed in whole or in part of <span class="dictionary">spirits</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Mixer</span>&#x201D; means any prepackaged ingredients containing beverages or flavoring or coloring <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, and which may also contain water, fruit juices, fruit adjuncts, sugar, carbon dioxide, or preservatives which are not commonly consumed unless combined with alcoholic beverages, whether or not such ingredients contain alcohol. Such specialty beverage product shall be manufactured or distributed by a Virginia corporation.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Municipal golf course</span>&#x201D; means any golf course that is owned by any town incorporated in 1849 and which is the county seat of Smyth County.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Performing arts facility</span>&#x201D; means an indoor or outdoor amphitheater, arena, multipurpose theater, or similar facility at which live musical, dance, theatre, or similar performances, the types of which are approved by the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span>, are performed, provided that the facility has stationary stadium or similar seating for more than 500 persons.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Place or premises</span>&#x201D; means the real estate, together with any buildings or other improvements thereon, designated in the application for a license as the place at which the manufacture, bottling, distribution, use or <span class="dictionary">sale</span> of alcoholic beverages shall be performed, except that portion of any such building or other improvement actually and exclusively used as a private <span class="dictionary">residence</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Principal stockholder</span>&#x201D; means any person who individually or in concert with his spouse and immediate family members beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, five percent or more of the <span class="dictionary">equity</span> ownership of any person that is a <span class="dictionary">licensee</span> of the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span>, or who in concert with his spouse and immediate family members has the power to vote or cause the vote of five percent or more of any such <span class="dictionary">equity</span> ownership. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Principal stockholder</span>&#x201D; does not include a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that holds in inventory shares for <span class="dictionary">sale</span> on the financial markets for a publicly traded corporation holding, directly or indirectly, a license from the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Public place</span>&#x201D; means any place, building, or conveyance to which the public has, or is permitted to have, access, including <span class="dictionary">restaurants</span>, soda fountains, <span class="dictionary">hotel</span> <span class="dictionary">dining areas</span>, lobbies and corridors of <span class="dictionary">hotels</span>, and any park, place of public resort or amusement, highway, street, lane, or sidewalk adjoining any highway, street, or lane.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Public place</span>&#x201D; does not include (i) <span class="dictionary">hotel</span> or <span class="dictionary">restaurant</span> <span class="dictionary">dining areas</span> or ballrooms while in use for private meetings or private parties limited in attendance to members and guests of a particular group, association or organization; (ii) <span class="dictionary">restaurants</span> <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> by the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span> in office buildings or industrial or similar facilities while such <span class="dictionary">restaurant</span> is closed to the public and in use for private meetings or parties limited in attendance to employees and nonpaying guests of the owner or a lessee of all or part of such building or facility; (iii) offices, office buildings or industrial facilities while closed to the public and in use for private meetings or parties limited in attendance to employees and nonpaying guests of the owner or a lessee of all or part of such building or facility; or (iv) private recreational or chartered boats which are not <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> and on which alcoholic beverages are not sold.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Residence</span>&#x201D; means any building or part of a building or structure where a person resides, but does not include any part of a building that is not actually and exclusively used as a private <span class="dictionary">residence</span>, nor any part of a <span class="dictionary">hotel</span> or club other than a private guest room thereof.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Resort complex</span>&#x201D; means a facility (i) with a <span class="dictionary">hotel</span> owning year-round sports and recreational facilities located contiguously on the same property; (ii) owned by a nonstock, nonprofit, taxable corporation with voluntary membership which, as its primary function, makes available golf, ski, and other recreational facilities both to its members and to the general public; or (iii) operated by a corporation that operates as a management company which, as its primary function, makes available (a) vacation accommodations, guest rooms, or dwelling units and (b) golf, ski, and other recreational facilities to members of the managed entities and the general public. The <span class="dictionary">hotel</span> or corporation shall have or manage a minimum of 140 private guest rooms or dwelling units contained on not less than 50 acres, whether or not contiguous to the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises; if the guest rooms or dwelling units are located on property that is not contiguous to the <span class="dictionary">licensed</span> premises, such guest rooms and dwelling units shall be located within the same locality. The <span class="dictionary">Authority</span> may consider the purpose, characteristics, and operation of the applicant establishment in determining whether it shall be considered as a <span class="dictionary">resort complex</span>. All other pertinent qualifications established by the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> for a <span class="dictionary">hotel</span> operation shall be observed by such <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Restaurant</span>&#x201D; means, for a wine and beer license or a limited <span class="dictionary">mixed beverage</span> <span class="dictionary">restaurant</span> license, any establishment provided with special space and accommodation, where, in consideration of payment, meals or other foods prepared on the premises are regularly sold.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Restaurant</span>&#x201D; means, for a <span class="dictionary">mixed beverage</span> license other than a limited <span class="dictionary">mixed beverage</span> <span class="dictionary">restaurant</span> license, an established place of business (i) where meals with substantial entrees are regularly sold and (ii) which has adequate facilities and sufficient employees for cooking, preparing, and serving such meals for consumption at tables in <span class="dictionary">dining areas</span> on the premises, and includes <span class="dictionary">establishments</span> specializing in full course meals with a single substantial entree.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Sale</span>&#x201D; and &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">sell</span>&#x201D; includes soliciting or receiving an <span class="dictionary">order</span> for; keeping, offering or exposing for <span class="dictionary">sale</span>; peddling, exchanging or bartering; or delivering otherwise than gratuitously, by any means, alcoholic beverages.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Sangria</span>&#x201D; means a drink consisting of red or white wine mixed with some combination of sweeteners, fruit, fruit juice, soda, or soda water that may also be mixed with brandy, triple sec, or other similar <span class="dictionary">spirits</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Special agent</span>&#x201D; means an employee of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control <span class="dictionary">Authority</span> whom the <span class="dictionary">Board</span> has designated as a <span class="dictionary">law</span>-enforcement officer pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Police power of members, agents and employees of Board" href="/4.1-105/">4.1-105</a>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Special event</span>&#x201D; means an event sponsored by a duly organized nonprofit corporation or association and conducted for an athletic, charitable, civic, educational, political, or religious purpose.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Spirits</span>&#x201D; means any beverage that contains alcohol obtained by distillation mixed with drinkable water and other substances, in solution, and includes, among other things, brandy, rum, whiskey, and gin, or any one or more of the last four named ingredients, but shall not include any such liquors completely denatured in accordance with formulas approved by the United States government.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Sports facility</span>&#x201D; means a coliseum, stadium, racetrack, or similar facility at which professional sports, as defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/58.1-4030/">58.1-4030</a>, or similar events, the types of which are approved by the <span class="dictionary">Authority</span>, are conducted.
		&#x201C;Wine&#x201D; means any alcoholic beverage, including cider, obtained by the fermentation of the natural sugar content of fruits or other agricultural products containing (i) sugar, including honey and milk, either with or without additional sugar; (ii) one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume; and (iii) no product of distillation. &#x201C;Wine&#x201D; includes any wine to which wine <span class="dictionary">spirits</span> have been added, as provided in the Internal Revenue Code, to make products commonly known as &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">fortified wine</span>&#x201D; which do not exceed an alcohol content of 21 percent by volume.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Wine cooler</span>&#x201D; means a drink containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume, and not more than three and two-tenths percent of alcohol by weight or four percent by volume consisting of wine mixed with nonalcoholic beverages or flavoring or coloring <span class="dictionary">materials</span>, and which may also contain water, fruit juices, fruit adjuncts, sugar, carbon dioxide, or preservatives and shall include other similar products manufactured by fermenting fruit or fruit juices. <span class="dictionary">Wine coolers</span> and similar fermented fruit juice beverages shall be treated as wine for all purposes except for taxation under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Excise tax on beer and wine coolers; payment of tax; exceptions" href="/4.1-236/">4.1-236</a>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">With or without meals</span>&#x201D; means the selling and serving of alcoholic beverages by retail <span class="dictionary">licensees</span> for on-premises consumption whether or not accompanied by food so long as the total food-beverage ratio required by &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Retail licenses" href="/4.1-206.3/">4.1-206.3</a>, or the monthly food <span class="dictionary">sale</span> requirement established by <span class="dictionary">Board</span> regulation, is met by such retail <span class="dictionary">licensee</span>.</p></section></text><history>Code 1950, &#xA7;&#xA7; 4-2, 4-99; 1952, c. 496; 1954, c. 682; 1962, c. 533; 1968, c. 7, &#xA7; 4-98.1; 1970, cc. 302, 309; 1974, cc. 460, 497; 1975, c. 408; 1976, cc. 64, 702; 1977, c. 280; 1980, cc. 324, 490; 1983, c. 340; 1984, c. 200; 1985, cc. 448, 457; 1988, c. 261, &#xA7; 4-127; 1990, cc. 707, 932; 1991, c. 426; 1993, cc. 190, 866, 910; 1995, cc. 497, 518, 661; 1996, cc. 558, 604; 1997, cc. 124, 425; 1999, cc. 93, 171, 481; 2000, cc. 786, 1037, 1052; 2005, c. 911; 2006, c. 714; 2007, cc. 101, 295, 454, 558; 2008, cc. 198, 513, 875; 2013, cc. 107, 117; 2014, cc. 124, 510; 2015, cc. 25, 38, 54, 288, 348, 730, 735; 2016, cc. 324, 710; 2017, cc. 152, 157, 160, 492, 585, 741; 2018, c. 337; 2019, cc. 37, 178, 466, 628; 2020, cc. 755, 1009, 1010, 1113, 1114; 2023, c. 731; 2024, cc. 111, 255, 619, 622, 627.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
