LEX VINI

Holders of California ABC On-Sale Licenses May Now Infuse Spirits and Wine

Governor Jerry Brown signed SB 32 (Leno), to amend Section 23016 of the Business and Professions Code effective immediately. Section 23016 defines a “Rectifier” (defined below); this amendment now allows on-sale licensees to infuse spirits and wine with flavors or blending processes. The issue of infused wine and spirits on on-sale retail premises came to […]

New Informational Postings Required for Employers by November 14, 2011

Effective November 14, 2011, most non-union employers will have to post a new poster explaining to employees their rights under the National Labor Relations Act.   The poster will explain employees’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act, including the right to unionize, the right to discuss wages, and the right to picket and strike.  The […]

New California Direct-to-Consumer Wine License Available January 1, 2012

Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 623 (Williams) to create a limited direct-to-consumer wine license in California.  The bill creates a new limited off-sale retail wine license which becomes effective on January 1, 2012 under Section 23393.5 of the California Business and Professions Code. The limited off-sale retail wine license authorizes the sale of wine by the licensee […]

Update on “Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act”

Governor Jerry Brown’s June 2011 veto of SB 104, “The Fair Treatment for Farm Workers Act,” was the fifth straight year that the bill passed the legislature only to be vetoed.  The bill would have required a farm employer to recognize a union on the strength of a majority of the employees signing cards signifying […]

TTB Takes Position on Information to Be Included On Wine Websites

Recently, the TTB has been in contact with wine industry members regarding changes required to the landing pages of their websites.  Under federal regulations governing the labeling and advertising of wine (27 CFR 4), an advertisement for wine “shall state the name and address of the permittee responsible for its publication or broadcast.”  According to […]

Aggressive State Stream Diversion Enforcement Comes to Napa River Watershed

A number of property owners in Napa County, including wineries, recently have received a form letter from the State Water Resources Control Board entitled, “NOTICE OF POTENTIAL UNAUTHORIZED DIVERSION AND USE OF WATER, AND FAILURE TO FILE A STATEMENT OF WATER DIVERSION AND USE FOR DIVERSION OF WATER IN NAPA COUNTY.” The letter states that the […]