CADG

California is moving ahead... the legislature passed AB 1295 on Sept 11, 2015... it goes to the Governors desk for signature... send your letters of support in now. When signed, we will look for implementation on January 1, 2016 for the licensing process to start.

If there ever was a question of why join the Guild, read the bill...

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB1295

CADG members made this happen, by coming together to support our industry we get things done. All those who are not members, ask yourself.... why?

Questions? Write cris.s.cadg@gmail.com

We are happy for PA, and if we can help... please get in touch. Good luck and keep us up on what comes about.

C

The legislature comes back August 17th... and our bill will be back in the hot seat and hopefully moving fast. Please really consider joining and supporting our effort. Letters, phone calls and contributions are so important to the effort. This will change the landscape for all distillers, but the small distiller really gains the most in this effort. Any questions, get in touch...

C

Scalawag,

Welcome and congratulations on getting your DSP. As you have probably read, we have started the California Artisanal Distillers Guild and have recently grown to over 50 members. We are all volunteer, and have been working since day 1 on getting a better working environment for all. In 2012 we started with AB 933 which passed and went into effect in 2013... the right to have paid tastings in your tasting room. In 2015 we have been working on AB 1295 which will get us direct to consumer sales... among some other major advancements. Love to talk about you joining us.

If we can help, let us know. We will be at the SF Spirits Carnival next weekend (Aug 15 & 16) with over 30 members pouring. Good luck...

The best way to find out is to be involved... please consider joining the California Artisanal Distillers Guild. www.cadsp.org to find the application and contact information.

CADG is a member driven and 100% volunteer organization dedicated to the California distiller. AB 1295 (D) Levine has been put together by a coalition of interested parties out of the previous attempt of AB 1233 earlier this session. That bill is still waiting in the wings for 2016 in case an issue occurs on AB 1295. But, we anticipate our efforts paying off.

AB 1295 is a much more comprehensive bill with far reaching opportunities. The 50+ members of CADG are the true pioneers in the California spirits industry. It would be extremely helpful if all would join our efforts. Those in the state that do not join CADG, yet take advantage of its work... like AB 933 and having a tasting room and being able to charge, or what's coming in AB 1295 should think about the greater good for the industry and join.

ADI helps us all nationally, but its important that the guilds in each state grow and represent the local distillers.

If you have any questions, call... and again... consider joining.

Cris

p.s. did I mention... join CADG ?

Hello,

I wanted to get back and update all on where we are... the post above is not really accurate as of 5/5/15. The bill is not dead, nor was it voted on the floor and the Senate has not even seen the bill. The first hearing in the G.O. committee of the Assembly is where the bill was to be heard. The chair unfortunately had a very clear agenda to put the bill into a "limbo" of sorts, referring it for additional research regarding 3 tier implications. This was more due to political infighting than the bill content, water issues between the chair and our author appear to be the culprit...

So what does that mean? A lot more work, and some creativity within the political process. We are working on various plans to get the bill back on track... could be in the Senate, could be back in the Assembly... or our original bill could be pulled back from limbo by members further up the food chain. It's all a chess game, and the stakes are very high for all of us in California. This is the first of a 2 year session... so worst case is we go to hearings in October and prepare for a January 2016 re-introduction. I hope this is not the case... personally.

CADG is an all volunteer organization, we have a very good lobbyist from one of the top firms in the state working on our behalf. By joining CADG you help fund that effort, donations are also extremely helpful. We have no overhead and all funds go directly for CADG lobby costs, public events etc...

Scalawag brings up a good point... write letters to the assembly and senate, talk about the positive impact of our industry. Post on social media that we need support and keep our message positive and moving the ball forward. It's also appreciated when any questions be directed to CADG, this takes a coordinated effort and be on target with message and news items is critical. I can be reached either at Dry Diggings Distillery or cris.s.cadg@gmail.com

Thanks for all the support, and we look forward to getting AB 1233 back on track soon... more to come.

Cris

• 200 gallon custom still, mashtun, fermenters, grain mill, manual bottling line. ($200K value)
  
• Tasting room with online scheduling
  
• Strong internet/social media presence
  
• In-stock glass, ready to fill and sell
  
• Large bulk spirit inventory, including some aged Whiskey
  
• Ready to sell inventory (already bottled)
  
• Forklift
  
• Excellent Lease and location, low overhead
  
• Reports, Formulas, COLAS (other intellectual property)
  
• City, State, and Federal licenses, bonded, insured
  
• Potential buyers need funds in place, will be vetted by sellers attorney
  
• Current owner available to support buyer
  
• $635,000
  

This distillery is still for sale, lots of interest and aspirations... but, not enough cash. If you are interested in an outstanding opportunity, get in touch... there are some options available to serious parties. There is a non disclosure needed to get into details, but if you are serious about the distilling industry... find out more.

Cris

CADG

DDD

I wanted to update this topic here on ADI. CADG is ready to go to our first hearing on AB 1233 on April 27th, in the G.O. Committee. This hearing will be critical to moving the bill along. Attached you will find a basic letter that can form the basis for anyone wishing to support the bill. If possible, please send a letter as quickly as possible via fax, email or postal mail (please send me an email copy as well) to show the support for Direct to Consumer Sales in California.

If any questions, please get in touch at the CADG office.

Cris Steller

Executive Director

California Artisanal Distillers Guild

cris.s.cadg@gmail.com

916.235.4012 Phone

www.cadsp.org

CADG Support Letter AB 1233 Chamber.doc

Here is the contact information for the California Artisanal Distiller Guild (CADG):

www.cadsp.org

CADG is on Facebook

cris.s.cadg@gmail.com

CADG

5050 Robert J Mathews Parkway

Ste 200

El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

Phone: 916.235.4012

The CADG is a non profit 501 C6 that is 100% volunteer and operates statewide in the Golden State. Our board of directors represents the wide variety of DSP members in the guild, both geographically and size. We were formed in 2012 to improve the business environment for all distiller's in California. Examples are working with legislature in changing prohibition laws, regulatory agencies to improve working relationships (ABC) and promoting brands / products with the public. Our main mission is to educate the public and government on what the distilling industry is all about.

We are glad to help other states form guilds and also to foster communication between all the states to strengthen our relationships or assist each others members. Any questions... just get in touch.

Cris Steller

Executive Director

CADG

Co-Owner Dry Diggings Distillery

www.DryDiggingsDistillery.com

If anyone from California would like to get together, we can have an informal gathering for a drink, breakfast or whatever. All attending can get in touch here, or email cris.s.cadg@gmail.com.

The California Artisanal Distillers Guild is growing and working to make the Golden State more distiller friendly. The week in Louisville is packed with great tours, training and show... but, it would be great to meet those attending.

Cris Steller

Executive Director

California Artisanal Distillers Guild

Dry Diggings Distillery

El Dorado Hills, California

The California Artisanal Distillers Guild (CADG) is now approaching 50 DSP members along with several associate members. We are proud to say we are moving ahead with AB 1233 the Direct To Consumer Sales bill. If you have any questions or want to join... the website is www.cadsp.org.

We are happy to be affiliated and have support from the American Distilling Institute (ADI). If any questions, please get in touch with me.

Cris.S.CADG@gmail.com or through Dry Diggings Distillery in El Dorado Hills, California.

Cris

California has legislation introduced by Marc Levine (D) AB 1233 that is to change current law and allow Direct To Consumer Sales. 2015 is the year we hope will find us succesful. The California Artisanal Distillers Guild supported by all it's members, has worked to retain our lobbyist and is moving ahead. The language is below, if you are a distiller in California and wish to join or contribute, please get in touch.

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2015–2016 REGULAR SESSION

ASSEMBLY BILL No. 1233

Introduced by Assembly Members Levine and Eggman
(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member Jones)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Travis Allen, Bigelow, Bloom, Chávez, Cooper, Dahle, Dodd, Gordon, Harper, Maienschein, Nazarian, Patterson, Mark Stone, and Wood)
(Coauthors: Senators Hill and Wolk)
February 27, 2015

An act to amend Section 23363.1 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to alcoholic beverages.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1233, as introduced, Levine. Distilled spirits manufacturers: licenses: sale on premises tastings.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act authorizes a licensed distilled spirits manufacturer to conduct tastings of distilled spirits produced or bottled by, or produced or bottled for, the licensee, on the licensed premises, under specified conditions. The act provides that a violation of its provisions is a misdemeanor, unless otherwise specified.

This bill additionally would permit the licensee to sell up to 3 bottles of product authorized to be produced or bottled by or for the licensee to each person at a tasting on the licensee’s premises, as specified. By expanding the definition of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Digest KeyVote: majority Appropriation: no Fiscal Committee: yes Local Program: yes

Bill Text

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Section 23363.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

23363.1. (a) A distilled spirits manufacturer’s license authorizes the licensee to conduct tastings of distilled spirits produced or bottled by, or produced or bottled for, the licensee, on or off the licensee’s premises.

( (1) Distilled spirits tastings may be conducted by the licensee off the licensee’s premises only for an event sponsored by a nonprofit organization. A distilled spirits manufacturer shall not sell or solicit sales of distilled spirits at such event. The sponsoring organization shall first obtain a permit from the department.

(2) For purposes of this subdivision, “nonprofit organization” does not include any community college or other institution of higher learning, as defined in the Education Code, nor does it include any officially recognized club, fraternity, or sorority, whether or not that entity is located on or off the institution’s campus.

© Tastings on the licensee’s premises shall be subject to the following conditions:

(1) Tastings of distilled spirits shall not exceed one-fourth of one ounce and shall be limited to no more than six tastes per individual per day.

(2) Tastings shall only include the products that are authorized to be produced or bottled by or for the licensee.

(3) A person under 21 years of age shall not serve tastes of distilled spirits.

(4) Tastings of distilled spirits shall not be given in the form of a cocktail or a mixed drink.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 25600, the licensee may provide distilled spirits without charge for any tastings conducted pursuant to this section. The licensee may charge for tastings conducted by the licensee on its licensed premises.

(e) The licensee may sell up to three bottles of product authorized to be produced or bottled by or for the licensee to each person at a tasting conducted on the licensee’s premises pursuant to subdivision ©.

(e)

(f) This section shall not relieve the holder of a distilled spirits manufacturer’s license of any civil or criminal liability arising out of a violation of Section 25602.

SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.

Cris Steller

Dry Diggings Distillery

California Artisanal Distillers Guild

It's time to announce and see if we can get some help and support... CADG is jumping into the deep end of the legislative pool. As many of you know, we went after paid tasting legislation in 2013 and were successful. This bill was our first act as an association, and it was funded by many of our members at that time... one in particular (St George Spirits, a big special thank you).

We are taking the next leap... 2015 will see us introduce direct sales legislation in late January. The CADG took 2014 to gather resources, make friends in supportive industries and prepare for the 2015 session. We look forward to strong support from many of the trade associations in California, but our opposition will no doubt let their intentions known. California is ready for this to happen, we just need to put forth a strong presence in Sacramento...

If you are a distiller, prospective distiller, future distiller... or just a wildly enthusiastic distilling supporter... please consider helping us. Direct Sales is the number 1 issue our community needs to change in California. The CADG is a non profit, volunteer run and grass roots organization.

Please consider joining the CADG, or sending a donation to help us fund the legislative effort. The guild has no "overhead" so all funds go directly to the effort. If you have any questions, or want to get involved... email or call the office. Visit our website www.cadsp.org or email cris.s.cadg@gmail.com

Cris Steller

Executive Director

Partner Dry Diggings Distillery

El Dorado Hills, CA

916 235-4012

This is not my operation, I am posting this for the founder. The operation has grown to a point where someone else with larger aspirations can take over. I am sure there are a myriad of reasons, but it was put up for sale and here it is.

in California, we don't have to make sense... it's part of our legacy. Cris

• 200 gallon custom still, mashtun, fermenters, grain mill, manual bottling line. ($200K value)
  
• Tasting room with online scheduling
  
• Strong internet/social media presence
  
• In-stock glass, ready to fill and sell
  
• Large bulk spirit inventory, including some aged Whiskey
  
• Ready to sell inventory (already bottled)
  
• Forklift
  
• Excellent Lease and location, low overhead
  
• Reports, Formulas, COLAS (other intellectual property)
  
• City, State, and Federal licenses, bonded, insured
  
• Potential buyers need funds in place, will be vetted by sellers attorney
  
• Current owner available to support buyer
  
• $635,000
  

Thank You ADI, All Sold.

Thank you ADI... all sold.

To all California Distillers and future distillers, please know that the California Artisanal Distillers Guild can be reached at 916.235.4012. We are a volunteer organization made up over most of the state's licensed DSP's and work on behalf of the membership. We appreciate all that ADI does for the industry and try to work on state specific issues. If you ever have questions, we will try to help with a member or not... of course, membership helps us all.

CES