Sampling Law Desk
California Alcohol Sampling and Tasting Laws
Last checked: November 6, 2026 (ABC pages loaded). The statute page on leginfo.legislature.ca.gov blocked our automated check that day; last read October 17, 2026.
This is not legal advice. It is a plain-English summary of public law. Rules change and local governments often add their own. Verify with the state agency linked below before you plan a tasting.
- Off-premises tastings run at stores that hold an Instructional Tasting License (Type 86), which "can only be held in conjunction with a qualified off-sale license." The quantity and number of tastings per consumer are limited.
- Type 86 is subject to Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) rules: alcohol servers and their managers must be RBS certified. RBS has been mandatory since July 1, 2022 under AB 1221 and AB 82.
- Who serves, and the limits (one-quarter ounce, up to three tastes per person per day when we last read it), are in Business and Professions Code 25503.56, which says tastes are served by an employee of the authorized licensee, its designated representative, or an employee of the designated representative.
Verify
whether your staffing model fits "designated representative," and the current limits in BPC 25503.56.
Official sources
Planning a tasting program in California?
Talk to our team about wine and spirits sampling staff, or see our California event staffing page.
Book a discovery callNot legal advice. Summary of public law as of the date shown. Always confirm with the state agency and your own counsel.