Interim Policy – Wine Dispensing Machines
Purpose: The purpose of the Liquor Control Board Interim Policy # 01-2011 is to allow an added activity for using wine dispensing machines for wine tastings at a winery premises with proper supervision.
Background:
In December, 2007, the Board responded to a company that wanted to sell wine dispensing machines to retail liquor licensees. The Board states, “The Board discussed your product and proposal with members of our staff, and we understand the benefit your product can bring to a retailer. We have no objection to liquor licensees using the Enomatic Wine Serving System in their businesses behind he bar where only employees will be pouring the wine. Public safety is a top priority for the Board. Washington State has laws requiring any person who serves alcohol to have an Alcohol Server Permit. Customers are not allowed to serve themselves in any manner.”
In December, 2010, Sal Leone, President/CEO of Washington Wine and Beverage Company asked the board staff if he could use the Enomatic Wine Serving System for tastings at his winery. Board staff responded the Board’s position on these systems was that they were not to be used by customers to serve themselves.
Board staff met with Mr. Leone to discuss his plan to use the Enomatic Wine System Serving System. Mr. Leone provided stuff with information on how and when the system would be used and the safety precautions that would be taken under proper conditions and supervision. Board staff feels the use of this machine for wine tastings at a winery doesn’t compromise public safety our under age consumption.
Policy Statement:
The requirements for the added activity, allowing a winery to use a wine dispensing machine for wine tastings under certain conditions, are as follows:
* A winery must request permission from the Board for the added activity to use a wine dispensing machine for tastings in the tasting room area only at heir winery premises;
* The Board will consider these requests on a case-by-case basis. * Both Enforcement and Licensing Divisions must concur on the approval of the request before the use of the wine dispensing machine is allowed.
* A wine tasting card must be purchased from an employee of the winery. The card may allow no more than a total of five ounces dispensed in single servings of no more than one ounce, and no more than two cards may be purchased by any one customer per day;
*Wine tasting cards will not be sold to an intoxicated customer or to a person under the age of twenty-one years of age;
*Employees participating in the wine tasting must hold a class 12 or a class 13 alcohol sever permit; and
* Winery employees must be present to the wine tasting areas. There must be an appropriate level of supervision to observe the customers throughout the tasting area.