Team C&J
If you’re into wine, then you’ve undoubtedly heard about corkage. If you’re newer to the world of wine, corkage is basically the concept that allows someone to bring a bottle of wine from home to a restaurant.
While most wine lovers live in states that readily allow restaurant guests to bring their own bottle of wine when they dine, for a fee, did you know that some states actually make it illegal to bring a bottle of wine to a restaurant? We couldn’t believe it either.
On our recent trip through Arizona wine country, we were surprised to discover that Arizona has some pretty weird rules around corkage. Here’s what we learned when we started digging into Arizona’s corkage laws.
A corkage fee is a fee charged by a restaurant that allows diners to bring their own bottle of wine to a restaurant. Corkage fees are standard in most restaurants, especially in areas with a rich dining and wine culture (i.e. California, Oregon, etc..). Bringing your own bottle of wine can enhance your dining experience, giving you full control over the food pairing – and the cost of the bottle. However, fees and rules can vary widely depending on the restaurant and location.
The state of Arizona does allow corkage, but it’s regulated based on whether the restaurant holds a liquor license. Essentially, if a restaurant has a liquor license, corakge is not allowed. If a restaurant does not have a liquor license, you may be able to BYOB your own wine.
Understanding these regulations helps ensure you have a seamless dining experience while enjoying your favorite wine.
Restaurants in Arizona with a valid liquor license are permitted to allow patrons to bring their own bottles of wine. However, this is not mandatory, and each restaurant decides if it will offer corkage services, or won’t.
For those that do, the corkage fee can range from $10 to $50 per bottle, depending on the restaurant’s policies and the level of service they provide. It’s always a good idea to call ahead and confirm the corkage policy, including the fee and any limitations, such as the number of bottles allowed.
For restaurants in Arizona without a liquor license, you may be able to bring your own wine. This decision is left to the discretion of the restaurant. Diners should always verify whether their chosen restaurant has a liquor license before planning to bring their own wine.
Many diners appreciate the option to bring their own bottle of wine for several reasons.
Cost Savings
Bringing a bottle from your collection can be more cost-effective than purchasing a bottle from the restaurant’s wine list, which typically includes a markup of between 2x to 4x the retail or distribution price.
Selection
Wine enthusiasts often have favorite wines or particular vintages they enjoy. Bringing their own wine ensures they can drink something they love and pairs well with their meal.
Special Occasions
For celebrations and special occasions, diners might have a bottle of wine that holds sentimental value. Being able to bring this wine allows them to make their dining experience even more personal and memorable.
Quality Assurance
Some wine connoisseurs prefer the assurance that comes with selecting their own wine, particularly when dining at establishments where the wine list may be limited.
Overall, corkage is a valuable option for many diners, allowing flexibility and enhancing the dining experience. Before heading to a restaurant in Arizona with your own bottle, it’s prudent to check the establishment’s corkage policy to ensure a smooth and enjoyable evening.
We do wonder as Arizona’s wine community continues to grow, and more people seek out Arizona wine regions, will the rules around corkage change? We can’t imagine thriving wine regions like those in California not allowing people to bring wine to a restaurant.
All things wine, and food you could ever need or want — straight to your email!
