(a) A distilled spirits manufacturer not licensed in California may designate in writing a California licensee, other than the holder of any retail license, to conduct tastings of distilled spirits produced or bottled by, or produced or bottled for, the manufacturer, off the designated licensee’s premises only for an event sponsored by a nonprofit organization and only if persons attending the event are affiliated with the sponsor. No distilled spirits shall be sold or solicited for sale in that portion of the premises where the distilled spirits tasting is being conducted. Notwithstanding Section 25600, the designated licensee may provide distilled spirits without charge for any tastings conducted pursuant to this section.
(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Nonprofit organization” does not include any community college or other institution of higher learning, as defined in the Education Code, nor does it include any officially recognized club, fraternity, or sorority whether or not that entity is located on or off the institution’s campus.
(2) “Affiliated with the sponsor” means directors, officers, members, employees, and volunteers of bona fide charitable, fraternal, political, religious, trade, service, or similar nonprofit organizations and their invited guests. Persons “affiliated with the sponsor” also includes up to three guests invited by persons described in this paragraph.
(c) The sponsoring organization shall first obtain a permit from the department.
(d) The department may adopt rules and regulations as it determines to be necessary for the administration of this section.
(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 544, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1998.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018