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 if all of the following conditions are met:

1. Sales are restricted to those solicited and accepted via direct mail, telephone, or the Internet;
2. Sales are not conducted from a retail premises open to the public;
3. The licensee takes possession of and title to all alcoholic beverages sold by the licensee; and
4. All alcoholic beverages sold by the licensee are delivered to the purchaser from the licensee's licensed premises or from a Type 14 licensed public warehouse. 

Current type 17/20 licensees who must make sales to a licensed retailer (under Type 17 license) every 45 days could transition to the new license and conduct consumer-only sales.

For more information or assistance on California ABC matters contact Mike Mann at mmann@dpf-law.com.