Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/314400
W i n e s & V i n e s J U n e 2 0 1 4 77 WineEast it had more to do with keeping the wineries from taking a stand on privatization. The state of wine legislation As evidenced by these wine laws being con- sidered by various eastern states in March, it is clearly getting easier to pass laws favorable to the wine industry. Gone are the days when stiff opposition on multiple fronts stymied those who simply wanted a better environment in which to make and sell wine. There are still ob- stacles out there, but the increas- ing willingness of legislators to listen to the voices of change has been an ongoing development. In Pennsylvania, activism by state store unions has contributed to the arguments against privatization. Nine years have passed since the Supreme Court handed down its ruling on direct shipment. There is still opposition from wholesalers and distributors, but it has become less aggressive. The passage of time has obviously been an important factor in improving the climate for wine legisla- tion, but Fay Wheeler's observation that wine is now virtually everywhere is likely to be the predominant reason why wine laws beneficial to the industry are being changed for the better. What can in- dividual winer- ies do to help? The most ef- fective scenario would be for state wineries to work together on specific leg- islation before a bill is intro- duced, then tell their legislators why the bill is needed and ask them to sponsor or co-sponsor it. Once the bill is introduced, wineries should contact their legislators again—in person if possible—and ask for their support. Organizations such as Free the Grapes! and WineAmerica should also be kept informed about the legislation and its progress. Wholesalers and distributors are the principal roadblocks to direct shipping. These laws are relics of the past and, while they may have had a role after the repeal of Prohibition, they have no place in today's commerce. Keep in mind that the wholesalers and distributors have what amounts to a monopoly, and this is a line of reasoning that can be used in addition to countering the same old arguments they bring up year after year. Wineries can rally support by pointing out that consumers are not getting the choice of wines they could otherwise have. WE Hudson Cattell has been covering the wine industry east of the Rocky Mountains since 1976. In 2012 the Eastern Winery Exposition awarded him its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. Cattell is a former editor of Wine East magazine. His book, Wines of Eastern North America: From Prohibition to the Present, was published in 2013. Winery associations should keep WineAmerica and Free the Grapes! informed about upcoming legislation.