(SACRAMENTO, CA)  The Assembly Committee on Government Organization passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus and Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Wine, to enable more winemakers in California to donate and pour their wines at non-profit fundraisers.

AB 323 passed with a vote of 13-0.  It now goes to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations for further review.

“Some vintners are prohibited from donating and or pouring wines at non-profit fundraisers,” says Evans.  “This is extremely confusing for non-profits trying to organize fundraising events whose good work relies on contributions from the wine industry.”

The confusion associated with current law begins with the legal definition of a winery.  Contrary to what most people think, a winery isn’t simply any business that makes and sells wine.  A winery holds a specific license issued by the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control called an “02.”  Vintners with this license are able to donate and pour their wines at charitable events.

AB 323 will enable type 17 (beer and wine wholesaler) and type 20 (off-sale beer and wine retailer) vintners to donate and pour their wines at non-profit fundraisers, a practice prohibited under the law today.

“I’ve worked with representatives from the non-profit community and wine industry in order to write this bill,” notes Evans.  “I am glad that we are all on the same page.”

AB 323 is supported by the CA Association of Non-Profits, the CA Association of Winegrape Growers, Family Winemakers of CA, Napa Valley Vintners, and the Wine Institute.

“The citation of Napa winemakers for pouring their wines at a non-profit fundraiser showed that current law needs to be changed,” adds Evans.

For further information about AB 323, please visit http://www.leginfo.ca.gov.