Carroll County approves Double Barrel Tasting Room’s class D beer and wine license
February 11, 2026 | Carroll County, Maryland
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The Board of License Commissioners of Carroll County on Feb. 11 approved a Class D beer and wine license for Double Barrel LLC, a proposed tasting room at 73 West Main Street in Westminster.
Ashley and James Ratino told the board they plan an upscale tasting room focused on local and imported wine and limited craft beer. "We're looking for a class D liquor license...to help get foot traffic down to Main Street," James Ratino said during the hearing. The operation will use an automated-pour system that issues time‑limited tasting cards or PINs after staff verify identification.
Desiree Shaffer, a representative from NAPA Technology, demonstrated the technology and said the company recommends limits for safety and control. "We always suggest two drinks per visit," Shaffer told the board, describing safeguards built into the software that can cut off pours after a preset amount or time window.
The Ratinos described hours and capacity: weekdays with reduced midday service and longer weekend hours, and seating in the mid‑20s. They said bottle sales for carryout would be permitted but not for immediate on‑site opening, and that an estimated 26–28 seats would be available.
Several commissioners asked technical and policy questions about identification (vertical v. horizontal IDs), sample sizes, how the card/PIN would be issued and whether facial or palm readers would be used. Shaffer said the technology suite offers physical cards, PINs to phones or device readers and can be configured to the board’s preferences.
After hearing testimony and character references, a commissioner moved to approve the application. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; commissioners agreed that remaining operational questions — such as precise pour sizes and the length of tasting windows — should be resolved with the licensee and staff before full rollout.
The board did not attach additional conditions to the approval beyond normal licensing requirements. The Ratinos thanked the board and said they would work with county staff on final operational procedures.
Ashley and James Ratino told the board they plan an upscale tasting room focused on local and imported wine and limited craft beer. "We're looking for a class D liquor license...to help get foot traffic down to Main Street," James Ratino said during the hearing. The operation will use an automated-pour system that issues time‑limited tasting cards or PINs after staff verify identification.
Desiree Shaffer, a representative from NAPA Technology, demonstrated the technology and said the company recommends limits for safety and control. "We always suggest two drinks per visit," Shaffer told the board, describing safeguards built into the software that can cut off pours after a preset amount or time window.
The Ratinos described hours and capacity: weekdays with reduced midday service and longer weekend hours, and seating in the mid‑20s. They said bottle sales for carryout would be permitted but not for immediate on‑site opening, and that an estimated 26–28 seats would be available.
Several commissioners asked technical and policy questions about identification (vertical v. horizontal IDs), sample sizes, how the card/PIN would be issued and whether facial or palm readers would be used. Shaffer said the technology suite offers physical cards, PINs to phones or device readers and can be configured to the board’s preferences.
After hearing testimony and character references, a commissioner moved to approve the application. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; commissioners agreed that remaining operational questions — such as precise pour sizes and the length of tasting windows — should be resolved with the licensee and staff before full rollout.
The board did not attach additional conditions to the approval beyond normal licensing requirements. The Ratinos thanked the board and said they would work with county staff on final operational procedures.
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