Wine tasting events, winemaker dinners, and sampling occasions are popular restaurant offerings that require careful liability planning. While wine tasting typically involves smaller pours than regular service, the cumulative effect of multiple tastings can lead to intoxication - and claims. Understanding how your liquor liability coverage applies to these special events helps you host them safely and profitably.
Unique Risks of Wine Tasting Events
- Cumulative consumption: Multiple small pours can add up quickly
- Educational atmosphere: Focus on wine, not monitoring consumption
- Spitting expectations: Professional tastings expect spitting - consumer events rarely do
- Food pairing timing: Food may come after significant alcohol consumption
- Premium pricing psychology: Guests want to 'get their value' from the experience
How Liquor Liability Applies
Your liquor liability policy covers wine tasting events as part of your normal operations, subject to:
- Events held at your licensed premises
- Proper licensing for the type of event
- Same responsible service standards as regular operations
- Any policy-specific event limitations
Event-Specific Considerations
Winemaker Dinners
Multi-course meals with wine pairings typically involve 4-6 wines over several hours:
- Food served throughout moderates consumption
- Controlled pacing (courses served at intervals)
- Staff can monitor guests over extended period
- Higher price point attracts generally responsible guests
Stand-Up Tastings
Walk-around tastings with multiple stations carry higher risk:
- Harder to track individual consumption
- Guests control their own pace
- Multiple pourers may not communicate
- Less food to moderate alcohol absorption
Off-Site Wine Events
Hosting wine events at other venues requires:
- Proper temporary permits or catering licenses
- Verification your liquor liability extends off-site
- Additional insured certificates for venue
- Clear responsibility for service
Risk Management for Wine Events
- 1.Pour control: Standard tasting pours (1-2 oz), not full glasses
- 2.Sample limits: Consider ticket systems or flight limits
- 3.Food integration: Serve food throughout, not just at end
- 4.Water availability: Prominent water service at all stations
- 5.Spit cups: Provide and encourage for serious tastings
- 6.Staff training: Event-specific briefing on monitoring
- 7.Transportation: Partner with rideshare or provide shuttle
- 8.Duration limits: Structured timing prevents extended drinking
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need special insurance for wine tasting events?
Usually not, if events are at your licensed premises. Your standard liquor liability should cover regular wine events. For very large events, frequent events, or off-site events, discuss with your broker to ensure adequate coverage and limits.
What if a winery provides the wine?
You're still liable for service. Even if a winery provides product and a representative pours, the event is at your venue and under your license. Your liquor liability responds. Get the winery to name you as additional insured on their policy for extra protection.