West Coast Wine Compliance

04/13/2026

Source: Sovos / ShipCompliant
4/10/26

This us an update from ShipCompliant regarding CA wine district fees:

Certain California wine districts levy a fee on retail sales made by wineries. Wineries that are members of one of these districts may elect to collect these fees from consumers at the time of purchase.

Temecula: 1% fee on retail sales made in California.

Amador: 1% fee only on sales made in the Amador wine region.

Santa Barbara: 1% fee on retail sales made in California.

Lodi: 1.5% fee on retail sales made in California.

Livermore: 2% fee on retail sales made in California.

04/11/2026

Source: TTB
April 10, 2026

Top Tip from a Winery Investigator: The Bottler Gets the COLA!

There is often confusion around who must obtain a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA)—particularly when wine is bottled under various business models. The answer: the bottler is responsible for obtaining the COLA prior to bottling. This applies across the board, including these common scenarios:

Custom crush:

A “custom crush” arrangement involves an agreement or formal contract under which a customer pays a wine producer to produce wine to order, after which the customer markets the wine. In these arrangements, where the producer bottles the wine for the customer, the producer is responsible for obtaining the COLA. The customer, even if they own the grapes or design the label, does not apply for the COLA.

Alternating proprietors:

Alternating proprietors are independently qualified bonded winery operators who take turns using shared space and equipment. When bottling occurs under such an arrangement, each alternating proprietor who bottles wine is responsible for obtaining a COLA for the wine it bottles.

This is true even when proprietors share bottling lines. The responsibility follows the entity that actually bottles the wine—not the host winery.

Unlabeled bottles (“Shiners”):

Some wineries bottle wine without labels for storage or aging, or to be sent elsewhere for labeling. While regulations require the bottler to obtain a COLA prior to bottling, the labels do not need to be affixed until removal from bonded premises for consumption or sale. These bottles are often referred to as “shiners.”

The bottler is responsible for obtaining the COLA—regardless of where the labels will ultimately be applied. When unlabeled bottles are transferred in bond to another bonded wine premises for labeling:

The COLA must accompany the wine so the receiving premises can apply the approved label correctly.
The transferee’s labeling premises acts as an agent of the bottler, not as the responsible party. The bottler remains accountable for the accuracy of label claims and for ensuring the label is covered by a valid COLA.
If the wine is simply being transferred for aging and will be returned to the bottler for labeling, the COLA does not need to accompany the shipment—but the bottler still retains full responsibility.

See FAQ W8 for more information on responsibilities when transferring unlabeled bottles or bulk wine in bond. See Industry Circular 08-04 for more information on custom crush arrangements and alternating proprietors.

No matter the arrangement—custom crush, alternating proprietors, or handling shiners—remember that the obligation to obtain a COLA always rests with the bottler.

More information on wine labeling here:

Wine, which includes cider and mead, must be properly labeled before it can be sold in the U.S. marketplace. This guidance will help you understand TTB’s requirements for wine labels.Key Wine Labeling TopicsGetting Started with Wine LabelingMandatory Wine Label InformationOptional Wine Label Infor...

02/10/2026

https://www.sanluisobispo.com/living/food-drink/wine-beer/article314594420.html

A new bill could let more wineries give tastings at farmers markets. Here’s what to know

11/05/2025

Latest DTC news! Click link then scroll down for state updates!

The Advocacy Group for the California Wine Industry

11/05/2025

Wine Institute just launched this new platform to help wineries connect with the younger generation, ages 25-45. Not only for wineries, I think this is a great tool for anyone involved directly in the wine industry!

The Advocacy Group for the California Wine Industry

10/29/2025

WestCoastWineCompliance is hiring! Please refer to our job post! Please share if you know someone with alcohol compliance experience.

Admin skills, CA compliance, Out of State Licensing and Reporting experience is required.

Apply at the following link!

West Coast Wine Compliance - Napa, CA - Job Posted on Sat, Oct 11, 2025

02/22/2025

Our company is hiring! See Winejobs.com for the positions!
Cheers! 🍷

West Coast Wine Compliance - Yountville, CA - Job Posted on Fri, Feb 21, 2025

02/22/2025

For Wineries/Wine Businesses that are LLC’s!

Annual tax time is approaching. If you are a new or existing LLC, see link for a guide.

For a small LLC with minimum income, you pay $800 tax annually. Your first franchise tax filing date depends on when you formed your LLC with CA Secretary of State. Then the following year and going forward, it is due by April 15 every year. There is not an extension to pay this tax.

You will also be responsible for CA and Federal tax return. Your 2025 LLC tax return is due March 15 for year 2024. If you need more time, you can file an extension of time to file the return. File the extension before March 15. Even if you file an extension, you can pay an estimated tax to avoid penalties. There is a difference between filing your tax return and paying your taxes.

Talk with your CPA or tax advisor. LLC’s with higher incomes may fall under a quarterly filing basis.

[Related to FTB:
Keep your LLC Registration up-to-date with CA Secretary of State by filing the required Statement of Information every two years. Sec of State may let it go for awhile, and if it is ignored for several months without you taking care of it, Sec of State will suspend your LLC and apply a penalty. Then you would need to reinstate your LLC with more fees.]

Limited liability company (LLC) forms an LLC to run a business or to hold assets to protect its members against personal liabilities.

09/14/2024

@ Silverado members tent for the Procore golf tournament. Gorgeous day!

08/30/2024

Goodbye Meta AI it has been a nightmare. Please note an attorney has advised us to put this on, failure to do so may result in legal consequences. As Meta is now a public entity all members must post a similar statement. If you do not post at least once it will be assumed you are okay with them using your information and photos. I do not give Meta or anyone else permission to use any of my personal data, profile information or photos.