Guidance information for doing non-profit events
Guidance information for doing non-profit events
Following information, provided by the Family Winemakers of California, is of interest to any recognized non-profit who want alcohol at their event, but should not be considered as legal advice.
The Basic Rules
• Donations and sales of alcoholic beverages (i.e., wine) is governed by the ABC Act (Title 9 of the Business and Professions Code).
• A license issued by the ABC is required to sell alcohol.
• Non-profit organizations can accept donations of wine; but NOT ALL licensees are allowed to donate wine.
• Only winegrowers (Type 02 licensees) are authorized to assist the non-profit organization in conducting a wine tasting.
• Only winegrowers (Type 02 licenses) are permitted to take orders for later fulfillment at non-profit events, even the special on- or off-sale wine license events where Type 17 and 20 can donate. (See Section 23356.1).
License Types and Privileges
• Wineries (Type 02), importers (Type 09 and 10) MAY donate wine to non-profit groups.
• Beer and wine wholesalers (Type 17) and beer and wine wholesalers/off-sale beer and wine retailers (Type 17 and Type 20 combined) MAY NOT donate wine to non-profits unless the non-profit holds a license authorizing “a” or “any” licensee to donate to it (such as the special daily on- or off-sale wine license – the $100 license – discussed below).
• Again, only Type 02 (wineries) may assist non-profit groups in conducting wine tastings.
Permit Types Required of Non Profits
Non-profit TV (beer & wine) 30 days; 1X per year Women’s educ. & charitable 1 day; 1X per year Off-sale general; auction (Any NP) 30 days, 1X per year On- or off-sale wine (Any NP)
24045.62 days; 1X per year Off-sale wine (estate) Dept. discretion On-sale beer & wine (TV) 30 days; 1X per year On-sale wine (viticultural; 501c5) 60 days; 1X per year Beer Dept. discretion Wine $15 Dept. discretion Beer & Wine $15 Dept. Discretion On-sale general $25 12X per year
Accepting Donations
• The only special permit (or one-day license) issued to non-profit organizations generally that permit ANY (includes Type 17/20) licensee to donate wine to the non-profit for on-sale purposes is the On- or off-sale wine (NP) costing $100 and authorized by B&P Code §24045.6.
• For all other special permits and daily permits the Type 17/20 licensee must sell the wine (there is no regulation of retail price by the ABC) to the non-profit group.
• Again, only Type 02 (wineries) may assist non-profit groups in conducting wine tastings.
• ASSIST is defined and interpreted by the ABC as standing by a station where a producer’s wine is being poured and talking about the wine.
• A Type 17/20 may sell wine and attend the non-profit event, as a member of the general public, but MAY NOT assist in the conducting of the tasting.
Who owns the wine?
• A non-profit group selling the wine MUST HAVE a special or daily permit.
• The non-profit group may accept donations or must purchase the wine.
• Title to the wine must transfer to the non-profit prior to the event and should be accompanied by a document specifying the transfer between parties.
• The ABC does not object to return of unused wine by the non-profit group to the donating or selling producer.
Producer Guidance
• Before committing to help with an event organized by ANY non-profit group, insist on getting a copy of the ABC special permit or daily permit.
• Please note that permits are often issued by the ABC close to the date of the event.
• Non-profit groups can download the ABC-221 (7/04) Daily License Application form at the ABC web site (www.abc.ca.gov).
• Key information to look for on Form ABC-221 is contained in the “Fee” box at the top right and question 2(b) or 2(c). If you see a $100 fee amount that signifies that a special temporary license has been issued. Type 17/20 licensees can DONATE wine if the “Nonprofit Corporation per Section 24045.4 and 24045.6 B&P” box is checked in 2(c) and the non-profit can verify that the wine donated will be for sale and NOT AUCTION.
• Determine what your license privileges allow in terms of participating (i.e., can you donate or must you sell wine; can you assist in conducting the tasting or not?).
• Type 02 (winegrowers) can take orders at non-profit events. Under no circumstances are Type 17 and 20 license holders allowed to take orders at the special on- or off-sale special wine license events where they may donate wine (but, again, not pour).
