https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/ California business, technology, real estate, and culture — reporting on the people building the state's economy. en-us © 2026 The California Magazine Fri, 04 Sep 2026 08:26:02 GMT https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/food-and-wine/how-a-california-ava-is-defined/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/food-and-wine/how-a-california-ava-is-defined/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT An American Viticultural Area is a boundary drawn on evidence of distinctiveness. What it guarantees is origin, and nothing else. Marcus Ellery Food & Wine https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/food-and-wine/how-a-california-liquor-licence-works/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/food-and-wine/how-a-california-liquor-licence-works/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT Licence types are specific, some are capped by county population, and the secondary market for capped licences is where the real cost sits. Marcus Ellery Food & Wine https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/food-and-wine/how-a-restaurant-lease-differs-from-a-retail-lease/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/food-and-wine/how-a-restaurant-lease-differs-from-a-retail-lease/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT Grease, gas, ventilation and hours turn a standard shell lease into a negotiation about infrastructure that may not exist yet. Park Rag Food & Wine https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/food-and-wine/how-restaurant-service-charges-differ-from-tips/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/food-and-wine/how-restaurant-service-charges-differ-from-tips/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT A tip belongs to the employee. A service charge belongs to the business unless it is distributed. The difference changes wages, taxes and what must be disclosed. Joel Ibarra Food & Wine https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/food-and-wine/what-organic-and-biodynamic-mean-on-a-wine-label/ https://thecaliforniamagazine.com/food-and-wine/what-organic-and-biodynamic-mean-on-a-wine-label/ Mon, 31 Aug 2026 07:10:16 GMT Organic wine and wine made from organic grapes are different claims with different rules. Sustainable and natural are not certifications at all. Marcus Ellery Food & Wine