Wine Estates – Charging a fee for Tastings?

Conversion of Winery Liquor Licences

The Western Cape Liquor Act came into effect in 2012. From then, wineries could charge fees for wine tasting.

Inspectors from the Liquor Authority and SAPS Liquor Officers remain confused. Many older licences still show outdated conditions.

Wineries under the 1989 Liquor Act

A producer’s licence allowed a winery to make wine from its own grapes. The winery could sell to licence holders and the public (takeaway only).

To use bought-in grapes, a winery had to apply for a special off-consumption licence. This licence allowed wine from both own-grown and bought-in grapes. The wine could be sold to licence holders and the public (takeaway only).

Conversion under the 2012 Act

In 2012, the law converted producer’s and off-consumption licences into micro-manufacturer’s on- and off-consumption licences.

This is the only micro-manufacturer’s licence in the Act (Section 33). It allows wine from both own-grown and bought-in grapes. Holders may sell to licence holders, export wine, and sell to the public (takeaway).

Unlike older licences, it also permits sales for drinking on the premises.

Charging for Tastings

The licence now permits on-site consumption. This includes offering tastings and charging tasting fees.

The Act overrides old conditions. Rules requiring “free of charge” tastings no longer apply.

Errors in Licence Records

When the Liquor Authority took over, record transfers from the Liquor Board caused problems.

Many producer’s and special licences were recorded incorrectly. They show as off-consumption only, not full micro-manufacturer’s licences.

Officials have corrected some of these errors. But many wineries still have incorrect records.