1999 Minnesota Statutes

     340A.418 Wine tastings. 

    Subdivision 1.    Definition.  For purposes of this 
 section, a "wine tasting" is an event of not more than four 
 hours' duration at which persons pay a fee or donation to 
 participate, and are allowed to consume wine by the glass 
 without paying a separate charge for each glass. 

    Subd. 2.    Tastings authorized.  (a) A charitable, 
 religious, or other nonprofit organization may conduct a wine 
 tasting on premises the organization owns or leases or has use 
 donated to it, or on the licensed premises of a holder of an 
 on-sale intoxicating liquor license that is not a temporary 
 license, if the organization holds a temporary on-sale 
 intoxicating liquor license under section 340A.404, subdivision 
 10, and complies with this section.  An organization holding a 
 temporary license may be assisted in conducting the wine tasting 
 by another nonprofit organization. 

    (b) An organization that conducts a wine tasting under this 
 section may use the net proceeds from the wine tasting only for: 

    (1) the organization's primary nonprofit purpose; or 

    (2) donation to another nonprofit organization assisting in 
 the wine tasting, if the other nonprofit organization uses the 
 donation only for that organization's primary nonprofit purpose. 

    (c) No wine at a wine tasting under this section may be 
 sold, or orders taken, for off-premises consumption. 

    (d) Notwithstanding any other law, an organization may 
 purchase or otherwise obtain wine for a wine tasting conducted 
 under this section from a wholesaler licensed to sell wine, and 
 the wholesaler may sell or give wine to an organization for a 
 wine tasting conducted under this section and may provide 
 personnel to assist in the wine tasting.  A wholesaler who sells 
 or gives wine to an organization for a wine tasting under this 
 section must deliver the wine directly to the location where the 
 wine tasting is conducted. 

    (e) This section does not prohibit or restrict a wine 
 tasting that is: 

    (1) located on on-sale premises where no charitable 
 organization is participating; or 

    (2) located on on-sale premises where the proceeds are for 
 a designated charity but where the tasting is primarily for 
 educational purposes. 

    HIST: 1994 c 611 s 25; 1996 c 418 s 10