On August 27, 2026, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 917, which expands the privileges afforded to Type 79 Certified Farmer’s Market Permit holders. The Certified Farmer’s Market Permit currently allows California wineries to sell wine and conduct winetastings at certified farmer’s markets throughout the state, but they may only sell and pour wine produced exclusively from their own “estate-grown” grapes. That limitation excludes wineries that only produce wine using grapes or juice purchased from other producers.
The new law removes the estate-grown-only requirement and permits Type 79 permittees to sell and pour any wine bottled by the winery. By eliminating this condition, boutique and small-batch wineries can expand their market reach and put a wider variety of wines directly in front of consumers.
In addition, the amended law will now allow up to three Type 79 permitholders to conduct instructional consumer tastings simultaneously at a particular certified farmer’s market – previously only one tasting was permitted. The other conditions applicable to winery sales at farmers’ markets still apply, e.g., the tasting event must be conducted during operating hours of the farmer’s market, and the tasting area should be separated from the market by a rope, cable, fence, or other temporary barrier; wineries must limit samples to 3 oz. per person per day; consumers are not permitted to leave the tasting area with an open container of wine; and Responsible Beverage Service training requirements apply.
The revised law amends Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 23399.4, and will take effect January 1, 2027.
For more information on applying for a Type 79 permit, contact an attorney at Strike Kerr & Johns.
