Notwithstanding any other provision of this division, a manufacturer, winegrower, manufacturer’s agent, California winegrower’s agent, rectifier, distiller, bottler, importer, or wholesaler may hold the ownership of any interest, directly or indirectly in the premises or in the retail licensee, may serve as an officer, director, employee, or agent of that licensee, and may sponsor or fund educational programs, special fundraising and promotional events, improvements in capital projects, and the development of exhibits or facilities of and for the licensee, provided that each of the following conditions is met:
(a) The retail license is for a nonprofit school for professional chefs located in Napa County which is operated in conjunction with a bona fide eating place open to the public.
(b) The school’s educational program has been accredited by the Board of Regents of the University of California, the State Department of Education, or the Council for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education or other state-authorized accrediting commission.
(c) The number of items of beer, wine, or distilled spirits by brand offered for sale by the retail licensee, which are produced, bottled, rectified, distilled, processed, imported, or sold by the licensees holding an interest in, serving as an officer or director of, or sponsoring or funding the programs and projects of the retail licensee, does not exceed 15 percent of the total items of beer, wine, or distilled spirits by brand listed and offered for sale in the bona fide public eating place.
(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 245, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)