Welcome New Bill

A bill has been submitted to the House of Representatives that would permit wineries to mail small quantities of wine (up to two cases per month) to consumers nationwide.

HR551, introduced by Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R.-N.Y.), is aimed at expanding sales of smaller wineries. Many small wineries have had difficulty in selling wines in other states because of local regulations and fees.

At present, wineries, merchants and private parties may legally ship wine across state lines, but only between states that have passed reciprocal wine trade laws. There are seven such states at present: California, Colorado, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin and Illinois. Illinois just passed the so-called reciprocity law; it takes effect next year.

Gilman’s bill would open such a practice to all 50 states, but it affects only wineries. Private parties still would be prohibited from sending wine across state lines except between reciprocity states.

Napa Valley grape growers received an average of $1,240 per ton for their grapes in 1990, the highest average in the state, according to a report from the state department of Food and Agriculture. Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon commanded an average price of $1,606 per ton. A ton of grapes makes about 750 bottles of wine.