Article published - Jul 21, 2007

SANTA ROSA Assembly approves nonprofit wine pours
The State Assembly on Friday passed a bill allowing "virtual vintners" to donate and pour their wines at nonprofit fund-raisers.

Assembly Bill 323, authored by Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, D-Santa Rosa, now goes to the governor for his signature. The bill passed the State Senate on July 16.

The bill was triggered when three small Napa wineries that didn't own their own winemaking facilities were cited by state officials for illegally pouring wine at a nonprofit fund-raiser.
Current state law only grants the right to pour wine at such events to the holders of a Type 2 license for alcohol producers.

But an increasing number of vintners -- including those three cited -- hold so-called 17/20 licenses, which allow vintners to produce and distribute wine made at other wineries.
Evans said her bill will increase donations to non-profits and eliminate the confusing, "toxic" atmosphere the citations generated.

"No one should be penalized for donating to charity," Evans said in a release. "We need to reward businesses for caring about people in need. We need to remove obstacles to compassion and generosity."
-- Kevin McCallum