Schwarzenegger Signs Bill to Liberalize California Wine Laws

Filed in archive California Wines on October 24, 2009

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Decanter.com is reporting on a change in California's wine laws that will allow wineries more freedom to market their products directly to the local public.

Sponsored by the Wine Institute, the law will allow winemakers to sell their wines in licensed venues away from the winery.

The bill will also allow customers to take home unfinished bottles.

The change is highly significant for local winemakers, as more and more wineries are opening tasting rooms and winery-owned bars, particularly in cities.

The new law, which goes into effect on January 1st, will help the bottom line of many wineries. California's wine industry has been hit hard by the recession.