Opener
With the legalization of marijuana spreading across major wine producing states, including Washington, Oregon and (most recently) California, many believed that it was only a matter of time before licensed cannabis retailers would stock their shelves with marijuana-infused wines. But earlier this month, the Oregon agency in charge of regulating the sale of alcohol and […]
The start of the New Year brought federal tax relief to certain cider producers. The PATH Act of 2015 made various changes to the Internal Revenue Code, which took effect on January 1, 2017. Included in the changes was a modification of the definition of products eligible for the “hard cider” tax rate. Under the […]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a mandate to inspect food processing facilities, including wineries, to ensure compliance with food safety regulations under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The Wine Institute has announced a series of workshops for wineries interested in learning more about their obligations under FSMA, and how to prepare for […]
As of January 1, 2017, California beauty salons and barber shops in good standing with the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology are permitted to serve their customers, where local zoning permits, no more than 12 ounces of beer or 6 ounces of wine by the glass for no charge. Many of our winery, brewery […]
By March 1, 2017 all business establishments, places of public accommodation, or state or local government agencies must designate single-user toilet facilities as “all-gender.” A single-user toilet facility is a toilet facility with no more than one water closet or urinal with a locking mechanism controlled by the user. There is no requirement in the […]
The start of 2017 has seen an outpouring of support from the business community for non-profit groups, including marketing campaigns that promise a certain percentage of sales or profits will be donated to particular charities. Such practices are often referred to as “cause-related marketing.” Here’s an example: ABC Winery wants to support a national nonprofit […]
State Minimum Wage: $10.50 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees. $10.00 per hour for those with 25 or less employees. Cities throughout the state have higher minimum wages. Consult local ordinances if employees regularly work in cities outside Sonoma or Napa Counties. Note, exempt employees for employers with 26 or more employees […]
Employers who paid safe harbor payments under AB 1513 are facing a new vexing, last minute challenge. Although the payments were taxable wages to employees and former employees for the tax year 2016, the California Employment Development Department (“EDD”) recently issued a notice that employers who made these payments must report the back payments for […]
Dickenson, Peatman & Fogarty will be hosting a reception during the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium and we would love for our Lex Vini readers to join us! DP&F Unified Reception Wednesday, January 25th 5:30-8:30pm Lucca Restaurant, 1615 J Street, Sacramento, CA (2 blocks from the Convention Center) Also stop by Booth 1714 on the […]
As we discussed in our earlier blog post, as of January 1, 2017, TTB-licensed breweries, distilled spirits plants and wineries that owed less than $50,000 in excise taxes in 2016, and expect to owe less than $50,000 in 2017, will no longer be required to hold a bond. TTB started off the new year by […]