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srothstein wrote:The change in liquor stores came about due to wineries. Used to be a package store could only sell for off premise consumption. Wineries have changed a lot of the rules, such as allowing wine tastings anywhere. I have even seen a wine tasting in HEB now.

I have seen "wine tastings" in liquor stores, but haven't seen it in HEB yet. Usually it's manufacturer's or distributor's reps serving, rather than employees of the store, but I have never seen anyone charging for the tasting.

It sounds like there needs to be some changes to the laws. IMO, if a winery makes more money in their tasting room than from off premise sales, they aren't going to stay in business for very long.

srothstein wrote:So, if the place is a winery and has a store of its own, it can sell for on and off premises consumption and the off premises amount might be enough to make a difference. But the TABC process does not yet allow for the difference and it makes the winery post a 51% sign, even if they would not do so under a stricter interpretation of the actual law.

For right now, this means that sign is legal and you cannot carry there.

Steve - Now I am really confused. The original post was a question about a liquor store, not a winery, but you are talking about court rulings and business models for wineries. Are you saying the 51% sign applies to any business that sells alcohol both on and off premise or only wineries?

It is interesting. Probably not correct, but interesting. Our TABC expert, Mr. Steve Rothstein will have an answer for you.