Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/152772
SEPTEMBER NEWS A Wine Drinkers' Lobby Coalition aims to serve as voice of the consumer T he American Wine Consumer Coalition is aiming to represent the voice of the average wine consumer when elected leaders debate laws that could impact their access to wine. David White, the group's president, said the nonprofit 501(c)4 organization is committed to representing consumers at the federal level and with state alcohol regulatory commissions. "Lawmakers, the alcohol trade and the media are not accustomed to hearing from the consumer when issues of access to wine are discussed," White said in a statement. "That needs to change. It's simply irresponsible and unfair to continue down the road of ignoring wine consumer interests and looking out only for those members of the industry who have long gamed the system in their favor." Among the goals of the group is opening up more states to direct-to-consumer shipments from wineries and retailers and changing other laws that restrict consumers' access to buying wine. AWCC also takes issue with the 17 states that ban residents from buying wine in grocery stores, four states that ban the purchase of wine on Sundays and 15 states that ban residents from bringing bottles from home into restaurants. The group is currently urging Pennsylvania residents to contact their lawmakers in support of the direct-shipping bill passed by the state House of Representatives but awaiting deliberation by the Senate. While the coalition supports more direct shipping, it also seeks legislation to allow for shipping from out-of-state retailers, increase the limit on the number of cases that can be shipped and eliminating an 18% tax on shipped wines. Wine blogger Tom Wark will serve as AWCC's executive director. For more information on the coalition, visit wineconsumers.org. —Andrew Adams Foley buys wine tourism magazine firm S onoma, Calif.—Foley Family Wines acquired a controlling interest in Touring & Tasting Marketing and Media, which publishes Touring & Tasting magazine, hosts touringandtasting.com, produces the Wine Country Video Channel and owns a wine country concierge service and conducts a wine cruise program. Touring & Tasting Marketing & Media was ng oduci Intr PermaNet The grower-friendly SideneT founded by managing partner Dan Fox and president Paul Arganbright in 1995. "We now have the resources required to further expand and diversify Touring & Tasting," Fox said. "We'll immediately be expanding our audience through increased distribution in print, online and through our mobile apps and digital editions. We'll also be creating new content syndication partnerships and building and providing more tools to help our clients be more competitive." Touring & Tasting Marketing & Media is PermaNet Gives You All These Benefits: • Reduced installation costs – leave permanently attached to wire • 100% lockstitch design eliminates tears, thread separation, bird damage • Extra heavy yarn construction for extreme durability • Long lasting (10-year UV warranty): reduces replacement net costs • Reinforced edges with eyelets for easier installation • Small mesh size offers sunburn protection while allowing airflow based in Santa Barbara, Calif. "There are no other plans for changes in staffing or in the way Touring & Tasting operates," Fox reports. Bill Foley, chairman of Fidelity National Title Insurance Co., owns numerous wineries and lodging properties, many acquired during the past few years. Based in Sonoma, Calif., the company owns 13 When Quality Counts 800-237-4594 See more nets in our 2010 catalog online @ www.spectrellising.com 20 W in es & V i ne s SE PT E MBE R 20 13 wineries located in Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties as well as California's Central Coast, Washington and New Zealand. —Paul Franson