Are Tasting Rooms Going to Start Becoming Regulated as if their Bar’s?
- CRISTA JEREMIASON / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT Sarah Blake of San Francisco, left, Matt Bartoe of Ventura and Courtney Warusso of San Francisco listen to a band on the patio at Imagery Winery.
In efforts to be conscious of drunk wineos on the road Sonoma County planning commissioner Dick Fogg is looking into regulating hours that tasting rooms can be open. In an article put out by the Press Democrat “Tasting rooms or party spots?” is looking at operating hours. Most wineries are only open until around 4pm, but some have had permit waivers that enable them to stay open later. This is an interesting question, as their was recent legislation passed that enabled permit-holding wineries to serve glasses of wine and sell bottles of wine that can be consumed on their premises. This is a breakthrough for some wine operations and a horror for others, all surrounding the same issue: Increasing profit by expanding options at the expense of putting more inebriated people on the road?
There are claims to be made for both sides.
On the side of expanding wine hours/ drinking options – we’re in a recession, and the wine/ tourism market has taken a huge hit, increasing flexibility in the tasting room experience is a way to garner a larger following in all wine markets. In addition to the profit potential, there is the responsibility of the wine drinker to themselves. This is NOT a bar, but a tasting experience, and as the tasting rooms are not looking for or paying for a full liquor licence they should not be held to the same standard that a bar would.
On the side of the regulators – true, tasting rooms are NOT bars, but they are serving alcohol and depending on the room and the attendant, they are serving multiple 1-3 oz pours for FREE, or for a minimal fee. This can have they un-responsable tasting room visitors looking at Napa/ Sonoma as a large bar hopping event! Not good for the area’s reputation, people on the road, or the DUI rate in the counties.
All interesting points to a more complex issue. So only time will tell where regulators, legislators, winery operations will take/ make this issue go.
