Petition to Allow Off-Premise Wine Tastings & Wine Events

The state of Rhode Island is enforcing a law which prohibits retailers from holding off-premise wine tastings and events. It also restricts retailers and restaurants from holding wine dinners in conjunction with one another. The following is a petition to change this law.


January 18, 2010

Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation
Commercial Licensing—Liquor Control
1511 Pontiac Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920

Re: Promotion of Alcoholic Beverage Business

Dear Maria L. D’Alessandro, Esq.,

In regard to Bulletin CL-LC-2009-1 and item number 3, the State liquor control board has put an end to joint events between Class A retail liquor stores and Class B restaurants. Although the RI Gen Law 3-7-4.1 states that “all sampling events by retail stores must be held inside the premises of the licensee,” the business practice of retailers hosting tasting events off premise has been going on in our state for well over 20 years.

Understandably the control board must adhere to and administer the law; however, ending jointly promoted wine events has a direct negative impact on our local food and wine industry. Additionally, this law will result in decreased tax revenue for our state and will further depress our struggling economy.

The food and wine industry is one of the largest and fastest growing segments of our economy; however, it is not exempt from economic hardship. In fact, the last few years have seen many local restaurants go out of business. Hindering versus helping this industry not only puts business owners in jeopardy, it also limits the job market. The RI culinary scene is what sets us apart from neighboring states, and it continues to be a major factor in drawing tourists. Under the existing law, those who are interested in food and wine events will simply spend their money in neighboring states where such events are still allowed.

The enforcement of this law also significantly limits the consumers’ ability to become more educated about wine as a product of gastronomy versus a product of libation. In a depressed economy it is reasonable to assume that consumers will continue to drink; however, the fine wine industry’s attempt to create a culture of educated drinkers has been thwarted by the boards’ decision.

Furthermore, many retail sponsored events have benefited non-profits such as the American Cancer Society, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, the Rhode Island Food Bank, as well as various local homeless shelters, schools, and animal shelters. If the enforcement of this law stands, non-profit organizations will no longer receive the sizable donations generated by these events.

Both the control board and those in the food and wine business should work together to come to a joint resolution on how to interpret, administer, and/or rewrite the existing laws. We are asking that you meet with representatives from the food and wine industry to discuss ways to resolve this matter. We are confident that together we can determine guidelines that will result in a winning situation for everyone.

The following undersigned petitioners agree that the consumer, the wine and food industry, and the local economy would be better served if Class A retailers and Class B restaurants could jointly promote and provide the public with wine and food tasting events.

We thank you for your time and consideration. We can be contacted at the following email address:

RIforWine@aol.com.

Sincerely,

Lisa L. Magnuson, Providence Wine Examiner
Andrea Sloan, Wine Sales Representative

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The law as written:
Commercial_Licensing_Bulletin_2009-1.pdf