Wine by the glass?

<p>The state’s wine tasting rooms, for years limited to offering visitors 1 ounce samples, can now serve visitors as much as they like. </p><p>Wines-by-the-glass or bottle can now be consumed at winery tasting rooms and picnic areas thanks to a bill signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. </p><p>“It’s just plain silly that California law doesn’t allow picnickers to enjoy a glass of wine with their lunches in winery picnic grounds,” said Assemblywoman Noreen Evans, co-author of AB 2004.</p><p>The bill passed the Legislature with unanimous support, but it has its critics. Judy Williams, a 50-year Kenwood resident, said she’s worried people will overdo it. “It’s people drinking without a bartender,” Williams said. </p><p>How many wineries avail themselves of the new rights remains to be seen. Many are not equipped to offer wine-by-the-glass service. More are likely to allow bottles purchased in the tasting room to be consumed there.</p><p>“This bill is just common sense and will legalize what many people have been doing all along,” Evans said.</p>