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

Custom Crush + AP Space Available – Turnkey Winemaking in Paso Robles Located just off Highway 46 West in Paso Robles, Fortress Custom Crush is now accepting clients for the 2025 harvest, offering turnkey winemaking services scalable from 1 to 200+ tons. Benefit from top-tier equipment such as Puleo bladder presses, Carlsen destemmers, jacketed stainless tanks, and concrete/oak fermenters, backed by full lab services, Vintrace compliance tracking, and a sustainability-driven philosophy. Led by acclaimed winemaker Jeremy Leffert, whose team has crafted over 48 wines scoring 94+ points, the facility delivers high-touch expertise, AP support, and access to The Anderson, a collaborative tasting and events venue. Whether launching a label or ramping up production, Fortress provides the precision, partnership, and flexibility to bring your winemaking vision to life, reserve your space now before harvest capacity fills. View Listing Explore by Category Grapes Bulk Wine Shiners Pr

Why Delaying Your Purchase Could Cost You More Than You Think In today’s unpredictable economic climate, industries from agriculture to data centers and hospitals to municipalities face rising costs and shrinking timelines. If you’re considering purchasing a steel water storage tank, the time to act is now. National Storage Tank is here to break down the top 10 reasons why buying your steel tank today is smart and, in some cases, essential. Here are 10 reasons why buying your steel tank today 1. Rising and Unpredictable Tariffs on Steel Imports Tariffs on imported steel fluctuate, often rising without warning due to trade negotiations, global policy shifts, and protectionist economic measures. These tariffs directly increase the cost of steel, affecting all steel-related applications like Water and other liquid storage tanks. Locking in your tank price today protects you from the next price hike and is one of the surest ways to stay even close to budget on some projects.

Taste of Sonoma Memorial Day Sale! Save $15 on Admission Through May 28 Save $15 on all admission types through May 28 for Taste of Sonoma on June 21 at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens. Produced by Sonoma County Vintners, this beloved annual event has been named as a Best Wine Festival in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards Already have your Taste of Sonoma Tickets? Read on to secure your exclusive event add-on experiences before the big day! Please note: We are unable to accommodate guests under the age of 21, including infants and children. Pets are not permitted, only service animals will be granted entry. Wine, Food, Activities, Beer and More! General Admission 12:00pm – 4:00pm General admission includes the grand tasting, complimentary food trucks, beer garden and themed lounges. Memorial Day Sale General Admission $195 VIP Admission 11:00am – 4:00pm All the fun included in GA plus a special lineup of award-winning wines and dedicated are

Make plans now to be at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens for one of Sonoma County's most anticipated wine and food events on June 21! Take advantage of early bird pricing through April 30 at TasteofSonoma.com. Get tickets here.   Please note: We are unable to accommodate guests under the age of 21, including infants and children. Pets are not permitted, only service animals will be granted entry.  Check Out the Themed Lounges Enjoy the Bounty of Sonoma County at These Experiences Explore all of the fun planned inside the themed lounges at Taste of Sonoma. Get ready for summer sipping, delectable treats, interactive games, and more!  

With visitor season in full swing, it is essential to guide visitors on how to find the winery, where they are, and inform them about ongoing activities upon arrival. This requires providing various signs, ranging from directional signage to entrance, parking, and washroom signs. Sign at Canada's Anthony Buchanan WinesWhile signs may seem purely functional, they offer an excellent opportunity to extend the brand and its personality. Assuming significant investment has been made into branding, packaging, and logo, it is crucial to maintain the integrity of the 'mother brand' across all elements, including signage. Here are some functional ways signs can be used and how they should tie into the brand. Sign at Okanagan Crush Pad in Canada First, it is important to attract people off the street and into the winery. Once inside, visitors should easily find the areas they are looking for, items on sale, or any special highlights. Location, bylaws, or municipal regulations will in