Vinoshipper is hosting an afternoon event for California producers on Wednesday, July 15, at Dot Wine at Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg. Attorney John Trinidad of Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty will speak about several regulatory issues currently affecting the state's wine industry, including the new AB 720 / Type 93 Estate Tasting Event Permit and how counties are interpreting it, proposed changes to winemaker dinner tied-house exceptions, and ongoing legal challenges to the three-tier system and their implications for DTC and wholesale sales. Meet the local Vinoshipper team in person and see what's new on the platform, from POS to club management to compliance. Come with any questions! The event runs 3:30-6:00pm, with John beginning at 4:00pm, followed by wine from Dot Wine, light bites, and networking with fellow producers and the Vinoshipper team. RSVP here: https://www.vinoshipper.com/healdsburg-july-2026

Vinoshipper is hosting an afternoon event for California producers on Wednesday, July 15, at Dot Wine at Bacchus Landing in Healdsburg. Attorney John Trinidad of Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty will speak about several regulatory issues currently affecting the state's wine industry, including the new AB 720 / Type 93 Estate Tasting Event Permit and how counties are interpreting it, proposed changes to winemaker dinner tied-house exceptions, and ongoing legal challenges to the three-tier system and their implications for DTC and wholesale sales. Meet the local Vinoshipper team in person and see what's new on the platform, from POS to club management to compliance. Come with any questions! The event runs 3:30-6:00pm, with John beginning at 4:00pm, followed by wine from Dot Wine, light bites, and networking with fellow producers and the Vinoshipper team. RSVP here: https://www.vinoshipper.com/healdsburg-july-2026

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control issued an Industry Advisory (Tied House Advertising Exceptions Remain Subject to Specific Statutory Conditions) reminding licensees of tied-house laws that generally prohibit suppliers from giving things of value to retailers. The advisory reminds industry members that activities such as joint advertising between a supplier and a retailer where it is not expressly permitted by an exception in the ABC Act, or “pay to play” (whether directly or indirectly), have always been and continue to constitute violations of the tied-house laws. While it is unclear whether a specific event prompted the Department to issue the new advisory, the following passage suggests that partnerships or sponsorships related to the World Cup (and other future big events such as the 2028 LA Olympics) may have something to do with it: Business and Professions Code sections 25500 and 25502 … prohibit suppliers from furnishing, giving, or lending money to a ret

From a marketing perspective, the World Cup presents a significant opportunity for brands to engage broader audiences through creative campaigns tied to the tournament. Many states have implemented temporary changes to alcohol laws to accommodate increased tourism, account for global time zone differences, and support hospitality industry growth. While most adjustments focus on extending first and last call hours, several jurisdictions have also introduced designated outdoor entertainment zones to facilitate regulated, large-scale gatherings and maximize the event’s economic impact. Here is an overview of the states participating in this historic event that overlaps with America turning 250. Note that while Texas is hosting World Cup Games, they have not altered their alcohol regulations and in turn have been left off the list below. ·         GA: Atlanta’s City Council has relaxed their open-container restrictions related to the World Cup 

In our blog post on the issue of enforceability of the producer’s lien in bankruptcy , we noted the current difficult and uncertain wine market environment. Since that post, the market has not changed much. Given the risk that a lawsuit against a winery on the brink of insolvency may push it into bankruptcy, and the uncertain treatment of the producer’s lien in a winery bankruptcy, we’ve been asked by grape growers about alternative methods of attempting to collect payment from a delinquent winery. This post discusses the use of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (“CDFA”) complaint process as one such potential alternative. As explained below, although this process is an administrative procedure in the nature of alternative dispute resolution, rather than a lawsuit, it is likely to be taken seriously by respondent winery. Basic Background Processors of agricultural products, including processors that handle and process wine

Assembly Bill 720 created a new Estate Tasting Event Permit (Type 93) that allows Type 02 wineries to exercise their tasting room privileges at properties they own or control, whether adjacent to the licensed premises or at non-adjacent vineyard sites. While this new privilege offers wineries greater flexibility to host immersive vineyard experiences, it does not override local land use controls. Sonoma County recently issued guidance clarifying how the Type 93 permit may be used on agriculturally zoned vineyard parcels and when additional land use approvals are required. Sonoma County’s Approach to Vineyard Tastings Sonoma County has clarified how Type 93 permits may be used on vineyard parcels located within the County’s primary agricultural zoning districts: LIA – Land Intensive Agriculture LEA – Land Extensive Agriculture DA – Diverse Agriculture The County distinguishes between recreational uses of a vineyard, which may occur without land use approval

It is time to dust off the employee handbook, review your policies and procedures, and make sure they comply with all the new laws, regulations, and interpretations that went into effect during 2025, became effective in late 2025, or January 1, 2026. Below, we have identified our “top 10” changes.  Please keep in mind there were hundreds of laws, regulations, and changes implemented at the local, state, and federal levels throughout 2025. This summary highlights selected changes most likely to impact California employers and is not intended to be exhaustive. So, if you need a handbook/policy review or have any questions, please call us! 1 – Minimum Wage Update: Updates happen every year.  It’s best to put a calendar reminder in November, to make sure your payroll is ready! Action: Review your payroll to ensure all employees are being paid the new minimum wage, send written notice of the wage change to affected hourly employees, and be sure your salari

This blog post summarizes the process by which licensed wineries can obtain local government approval for events in Napa County held pursuant to their California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (“ABC”) Type 93 Estate Tasting Permit. As discussed in our prior post, last year Governor Newsom signed into law AB720, granting California wineries that hold an ABC Type 02 winery license the ability to host events, up to 36 times per year, where they exercise tasting room privileges for wine manufactured by or for the winery on either: (1) property adjacent to the licensed premises or (2) a nonadjacent vineyard provided that such property or vineyard is owned by or under the control of the winery. (Cal. Bus. Prof. Code 23399.03.) Neither ABC nor Napa County have provided guidance as to what degree or proof of “control” is required. Under AB 720, these new Type 93 estate tasting events are also subject to local land use controls that can “restrict, but no

POSTED BY  Theresa Barton Cray As we near the close of a challenging year for the alcohol beverage industry, suppliers are understandably looking for creative marketing campaigns to boost sales. Unfortunately, given the highly regulated world of alcohol beverage marketing, creative marketing ideas can sometimes hit the proverbial brick wall of regulatory restrictions. All is not lost, however, and there is still room for creativity provided suppliers work within the parameters of alcohol beverage regulations. To start, below are some common pitfalls that suppliers should avoid when marketing their alcoholic beverages in California and elsewhere. Retailer Partnerships Suppliers should closely examine any new marketing programs that involve or mention licensed alcohol beverage retailers. Partnerships with, or sponsorships of, retailers are in most cases going to run afoul of the tied-house laws in California, and in most other states, which prohibit suppliers from giving (directly