Some of the biggest buzz generated from wine industry posts on social media this past year was not about the actual subject of the Tweets and Facebook entries but instead over the legal problems that resulted for the wineries involved. The issue is an example of how common actions by winery personnel using modern technology can clash with alcoholic beverage regulations that originate from Prohibition. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) oversees licensing and enforcement issues related to producers, distributors and retailers of alcoholic beverages. Longstanding “tied-house” laws under the California Business and Professions Code, in general, prohibit wine producers from giving financial assistance to ...