Owners Of Make-your-own Wine Franchise Say It Won't Close

The owners of a make-your-own wine franchise say they're staying open after the state Tax Department changed its ruling on whether they owe back taxes and use enough North Dakota products.

Tony and Judy Osowski announced in January that their Vintner's Cellar franchise would close because the state Tax Department wanted to revoke its domestic winery licenses.

Tax officials said Vintner's Cellar did not meet state requirements that most of its ingredients be North Dakota products, and that it owed back taxes from its wine sales.

Tony Osowski said he'd been told that ingredients sold to customers for making their own wine were exempt from state excise and alcoholic beverage taxes.

Osowski says the Tax Department has reversed its positions, so the franchise will stay open.

Vintner's Cellar has been in Grand Forks for about seven years and in Fargo for around six years. Customers are allowed to taste wines and purchase wine kits. The franchise also makes its own wines under the label Dakota Prairie.

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