Albertsons Wants On-site Wine Tastings

The on Agoura Road is seeking the Planning Commission's approval Thursday to host instructional wine tastings up to six times a month.

The commission will meet at 7 p.m. at to discuss modifying the store's alcohol license to allow winemakers, wine importers or wine wholesalers to promote their products at the grocery, but under a strict set of rules.

California's department of Alcohol Beverage Control mandates that each tasting patron can only be poured three one-ounce samples of wine during each event by a store employee or a representative of the wine being sampled.

The government agency also states that wine tastings can only be held between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.

A spokesperson for Albertsons did not respond to questions at press time, but a representative for the grocery chain did tell the city how the store would supervise wine tastings.

An area for each wine tasting would be sectioned off with a temporary barrier and that alcohol would not be served to anyone under the age of 21, according to a staff report.

The local Los Angeles County Sheriff's Station did not express any objections to modifying Albertson's alcohol license, the report read.

The store anticipates about 15 to 20 customers attending each wine tasting, the report read, according to the staff report.

If approved, Albertsons would become the second grocery store allowed to host wine tastings.

Last November, the Planning Commission gave an OK to organize such events.

Gelson's store director Eric Gibson said the store has only held one wine tasting so far.