Winegrower Estate Tasting Event Permit
Winegrowers will soon be eligible to apply for a new permit that allows wine consumption at qualifying special events approved by ABC.
Disclaimer: The Alcoholic Beverage Control regularly archives industry advisories for transparency and historical reference. However, the advisories may not necessarily reflect the current state of the discussed statute or regulation. Please consult the statute, regulation, and/or an attorney before taking any action to ensure compliance with the law.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 720 (Rogers, Chapter 562, Statutes of 2025), ABC will soon offer an estate tasting event permit (known as a “Type 93 permit”) that may be issued to a licensed winegrower. The permit will grant the winegrower the ability to exercise its tasting room privileges – for wine manufactured by or for the winegrower – on either property adjacent to their licensed premises that is owned by or under control of the licensee, or a nonadjacent vineyard that is owned by or under control of the licensee. The purpose of the permit is to enable winegrowers to host special events in areas adjacent to their winery that are currently unlicensed or in their vineyard that is not licensed for alcohol sales and consumption.
In order to exercise the privileges of the permit, the winegrower must apply to ABC for an event authorization, and a permit holder is capped at receiving no more than 36 event authorizations per calendar year. Upon receiving the event authorization from ABC, the permit holder will be able to exercise its tasting room privileges in the approved area. Tasting room privileges that may be exercised include both on-sale and off-sale of the winegrower’s wine.
Please note that local governments have broad land use authority, and each municipality has the authority to establish its own approval requirements for special events. It is the responsibility of all winegrowers to obtain any approvals necessary from their local jurisdiction prior to holding an event, and an event authorization approved by ABC does not supersede or relieve the winegrower from receiving any approvals necessary from their local jurisdiction.
ABC will begin accepting applications for the Type 93 permit and related event authorizations beginning January 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of a Type 93 permit?
The permit has an annual $200 fee, subject to regular CCPI increases, plus a $10 surcharge pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 23320.5. Each event authorization application has a $100 fee.
When do I renew my Type 93 permit?
The permit is required to be renewed annually at the same time as the winegrower’s license.
Am I eligible for a refund of my event authorization if my local jurisdiction does not grant the local approval required to host a special event?
No. The fee charged by ABC for an event authorization is for processing the application. If your local government requires local approval but does not grant it, ABC’s authorization becomes void and is nonrefundable.
I operate a restaurant at my winery, which allows me to sell other winery’s wine. Will this privilege extend to my estate tasting event permit?
No, at the approved events you may only sell your winery’s wine.
Do servers at my event need RBS training?
Yes, any server of alcoholic beverages is subject to RBS training requirements.
What approvals does my local jurisdiction require?
Each local jurisdiction has its own unique requirements. Consult with your local municipality to confirm what they require.
Contact
Additional information may be obtained by contacting:
Alcoholic Beverage Control
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Email us at [email protected]
Call (916) 419-2500
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