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WineEastNews state's wineries favor outright privatization, others raise questions about what it might mean for them. Judy Nissley, president of Nissley Vineyards in Bainbridge, Pa., believes that her sweeter wines, which are currently sold at the PLCB stores, would be more difficult to list in private stores—although sales of her dry wines might increase. If privatization passes, she says sending someone to contact each store individually would increase expenses. According to Dick Naylor, president of Naylor Wine Cellars in Stewartstown, Pa., the winery stopped selling wine through the state stores more than a decade ago because it could not afford to take a 50% discount on its wines. The winery is 4 miles from the Maryland border, and Naylor now sells more wine in Maryland than in Pennsylvania. He supports privatization because if it passes, he will be able to sell to individual stores at a 25% discount. Robert Mazza, president of Mazza Vineyards in North East, Pa., told Wine East, "It hasn't passed the Senate yet. If it does, I question how much business we'll be able to generate. We'll be at a tremendous disadvantage because we won't have the infrastructure that we now have." In addition, Mazza is concerned that wholesalers will be reluctant to take on small wine producers. Although Richard Carey, co-owner of Tamanend Winery in Lancaster, Pa., considers the current state monopoly system too restrictive, he points out that care has to be taken in drawing up legislation to avoid new problems. Carey told Wine East, "The current state store system was designed to support large corporate wineries and does little to encourage small, family-owned wineries within the state. Any new system needs to allow Pennsylvania wineries to continue to distribute to all licensees and to do other promotional activities such as wine festivals where wine can be sold directly to consumers. We have to realize that large distributors may not be interested in handling smaller winery accounts." The exact wording of the final legislation will be critical in determining the impact on the state's wineries. At this point, it is uncertain what amendments will be added or whether the bill will pass in the Senate. —Linda Jones McKee and Hudson Cattell S a le s – Mist Sprayers – Motor Models available We offer a complete line of low volume mist blowers. Low Maintenance High Performance Excellent for spraying: VINEYARDS, vegetables, orchards, nurseries, Christmas trees, mosquitoes, cattle, chicken houses, etc. For free brochure contact: Swihart Sales Co. 7240 County Road AA, Quinter, KS 67752 88 WI NE S & V INE S MAY 20 13 Vineyard Threatened Pennsylvania DOT's plans for I-78 could affect micro-climate, terroir of Bergeist Vineyard A llentown, Pa.—If plans proposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation are implemented, the size of Bergeist Vineyard will be cut by approximately one-third winesandvines.com sometime during the next few years. The Learn more: construction expansion of Interstate 78 Search keywords "Bergeist Vineyard." west of Allentown, Pa., calls for changes in elevation that will probably affect airflow on owner Dean Scott's property in such a way that his vines will be exposed to early and late frosts that currently are not a problem. In other words, Scott's unique terroir will be changed dramatically. Interstate 78, which runs east-west between New York City and Harrisburg, Pa., passes through a 60-foot deep ravine just north of the vineyard. The effect of the ravine cut by the highway, with its concrete and east-west flow of traffic, is to push the cool air east and west, down and away from the vineyard, thus eliminating potential frost damage. In the past 10 years, Scott has not had any frost damage, while vineyards within a few miles have had frost EasternWineLab_Mar09.qxp 1/22/09 9:47 AM Page 1 problems. —Linda Jones McKee EASTERN WINE LABS Company American Made Traminette grows in Bergeist Vineyard near Allentown, Pa. Serving the Analytical needs of East Coast Wineries WWW.EASTERNWINELABS.COM Ph 609-859-4302 Cell 609-668-2854 chemist@easternwinelabs.com References available in your area 785-754-3513 or 800-864-4595 www.swihart-sales.com AOAC Member