Does anyone have experience running a wine-tasting fundraiser?

Question

Do wine shops sponsor these events, or the wine representatives (or are they called distributors)? If they sponsor, does that mean they will supply all the wine at no cost?

We've never done this before so any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

I live in California where there are many wineries.  Often you can get a local winery to sponsor a wine tasting at their winery for a charitable event.  Contact wineries that are nearby.

Answer 2

The wine distributors will not donate the wine, but they will sell it at a special price.

Also, you will have to have a temporary liquor license that will allow you to serve drinks, and a service area that meets the requirements for such. This is very expensive.

You will also need to carry a lot of liability insurance, to cover anything that might happen as a result of your event -- because it involves alcohol, this will be very expensive and, perhaps, not granted at all.