Distillation Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

The Statutory Rules 1925, No. 27, enacted by the Governor-General in Council, represents a regulation under the Distillation Act 1901-1923, which was introduced to address issues surrounding the regulation and supervision of the distillation process, particularly focusing on the handling and processing of Doradillo grapes. The objective of this regulation is to ensure proper oversight and accountability in the distillation process, thereby maintaining quality and regulatory compliance in the industry. By mandating the presence of an officer during various stages of the distillation process, including the weighing, crushing, fermentation, and conveyance of Doradillo grapes, the regulation aims to prevent fraud, maintain transparency, and ensure that the distilling operations adhere to the specified standards.

Scope and Application

The Distillation Regulations 1925, as set out in Statutory Rules 1925, No. 27, pertain specifically to distillers who handle Doradillo grapes for distillation purposes. These regulations are issued under the authority of the Distillation Act 1901-1923 and are intended to establish stringent controls over the handling and processing of these grapes. The regulations mandate that all Doradillo grapes received by a distiller must be weighed in the presence of an officer, and the subsequent processes of crushing, fermentation, and distilling must occur under the officer’s supervision. This includes giving the officer at least two hours’ notice when such supervision is required. Furthermore, distillers are obligated to maintain detailed records of their transactions involving Doradillo grapes, including the date of purchase, weight, price per ton, and the supplier’s details. These regulations extend across the Commonwealth of Australia, ensuring a uniform approach to the oversight of grape distillation activities.

Key Provisions

The operative sections of the regulation primarily concern the handling and processing of Doradillo grapes by distillers. Section (a) mandates that all Doradillo grapes received by a distiller must be weighed in the presence of an officer, and the subsequent steps of crushing, fermentation, and distilling must also occur under the officer's supervision. Section (b) requires distillers to notify an officer at least two hours in advance if they require supervision for the weighing of these grapes. Section (c) stipulates that once the juice from the grapes is transferred to a fermenting vat, the officer must take a full account of the contents and verify that they consist solely of Doradillo grape juice. Section (d) requires distillers to notify the officer immediately upon the completion of the transfer of Doradillo juice to a fermenting vat. Section (e) mandates that distillers maintain a detailed record book, capturing specific details about the Doradillo grapes, such as the date of purchase, weight, price per ton, and the supplier's name and address. Lastly, section (f) requires distillers to give at least two hours' notice when they intend to move Doradillo wine from a fermenting vat to a storage vat, or from a storage vat to a wine charger, so that the officer can take an account of the wine quantities. All vessels storing wine must be clearly marked for identification. The regulation imposes several obligations and requirements on distillers handling Doradillo grapes. Firstly, distillers must ensure that all stages of processing, from weighing the grapes to the final storage of the wine, are conducted under the supervision of an officer. This includes providing timely notice to the officer about when supervision is required. Secondly, distillers must keep accurate and detailed records of all transactions involving Doradillo grapes. This record-keeping is crucial for transparency and traceability in the distillation process. Thirdly, distillers must ensure that all vessels used for storing wine are distinctly marked to facilitate easy identification and accounting by the supervising officer. There are no explicit offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences stated within the regulation itself. However, the regulation underscores the importance of compliance with the outlined procedures to ensure proper oversight and accountability in the distillation process. Any failure to comply with these requirements, such as not providing the necessary notice for supervision or not maintaining accurate records, could potentially lead to regulatory action under the broader Distillation Act 1901-1923. This might include penalties for non-compliance, although the specific penalties are not detailed within this regulation.