Free the Grapes Alabama: Clear the Way for Winery Direct Shipments

Proposed Legislation Would Be a Boon for Consumer Choice

NAPA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Alabama is just one of the five remaining states banning
winery-to-consumer direct shipments, but that could change with the
passage of proposed legislation. Two bills were introduced in the past
few weeks that would, if passed, allow Alabama wine lovers the freedom
to purchase the wines they want directly from both in-state and
out-of-state wineries.

Senate Bill 274 passed the Senate Tourism Committee unanimously and is
anticipated to be voted on by the Senate this week. Its companion bill,
House Bill 350, is also under consideration in committee. Wine lovers
are urged to contact their legislators in support of bills.

BACKGROUND

Senate Bill 274 and House Bill 350 are both based on model winery direct
shipping legislation working successfully in nearly every state. The
bills allow both in-state and out-of-state wineries to ship to Alabama
consumers. Other standard provisions include the issuance of state
licenses to direct shippers, collection and remittance of both sales
taxes and excise taxes to the state of Alabama. These laws provide
additional state tax revenues, satisfy consumer demand, and meet
regulatory requirements in a dynamic marketplace. The four other states
that restrict all winery-to-consumer shipping are Delaware, Kentucky,
Mississippi and Utah.

About Free the Grapes!

Free the Grapes! is a national coalition of wineries and consumers aimed
to augment, not replace, the existing three-tier distribution system of
producers, wholesalers, and retailers with legal, regulated
direct-to-consumer wine shipping. Founded in 1998 by wine industry
associations, Free the Grapes! believes that consumers, not special
interests, should decide which wines to purchase and how. Legal
direct-to-consumer wine shipping expands consumer choice and helps
America’s mostly family-owned-and-operated wineries succeed.

Among recent victories: Pennsylvania ended various restrictions on
winery-to-consumer shipping in the state in 2016; Massachusetts and
Arizona removed capacity cap restrictions in 2014 and 2015,
respectively; and Oklahoma became the 45th state to allow winery direct
shipping in 2018.

Contacts

Sarah Jones Gillihan, Benson Marketing Group, jones@bensonmarketing.com
(707) 254-1114