Would you prefer to taste your wine selection before buying a bottle of it? If so, you’re not alone. Most would agree that wine and beer sales increase proportionately when consumers are first able to sample the beverage. Until now, wine and beer tastings at farmers markets in Washington State have been illegal, even though the sale of bottled wine and beer have long been allowed. But all that’s about to change.
Starting September 1, 2011, consumers (over the legal drinking age of 21) will be able to sample tastes of wine and beer at farmers markets under a new pilot program of the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB). Ten farmers markets across the state have been selected to participate in the program. The test program will run through November 1, 2012, at which time a report on its success will be submitted to the State Legislature.
There are 47 wineries and four breweries qualified to offer tastings at the pilot markets. Tastings can be up to two ounces, and customers can have up to a total of four ounces. The pilot requires that only one brewery, microbrewery or winery may offer samples per day at any given farmers market.
Regulations also require that staff from the brewery, microbrewery or winery must be able to observe all tasting participants in a designated tasting area to ensure that minors and apparently intoxicated persons cannot possess or consume alcohol. They must also have food available or be next to a vender offering prepared food.
“This pilot is another avenue for Washington’s breweries and wineries to educate customers about their products,” said Sharon Foster, WSLCB Chair. “Because farmers markets take place in a community setting, there are safeguards in place to ensure tastings are conducted with public safety in mind.”
WSLCB liquor enforcement officers will conduct announced and unannounced visits and compliance checks throughout the pilot to monitor compliance with the pilot’s guidelines and ensure state liquor laws and regulations are followed.
The following list is tentative, pending verification that the markets meet the pilot requirements.
– West Seattle Farmers Market, 4400 S.W. Alaska St. in Seattle
– Magnolia Farmers Market, 2550 34th Ave. W. in Seattle
– Vancouver Farmers Market, 605 Esther St. in Vancouver
– Everett Farmers Market, Inc., 1600 W. Marine View Drive in Everett
– Vashon Farmers Market, Village Green, 17511 Vashon Highway S. in Vashon
– Liberty Lake Farmers Market, 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane in Liberty Lake
– Proctor Farmers Market, N. 27th St. between Proctor and Madison in Tacoma
– Pasco Farmers Market, Fourth and Columbia in Pasco
– Pike Place Market; Street Farmers Market, Pike Place, between Pine and Steward Streets, in Seattle
– Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market, Columbia Street between First and Palouse in Wenatchee