Published: February 02, 2011

Specialty Wine Retailers Endorse Maryland Wine Shipping Bill

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The Specialty Wine Retailers Association (SWRA) today announced its full support for the Maryland Direct Wine Shipper's Permit bill recently introduced into the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates.

Senate Bill 234 and its House of Delegates companion bill in (HB 234), would finally provide Maryland consumers access to the full range of wines in the U.S. marketplace, a right they have been fighting or for many years. The carefully crafted bills assures Maryland consumers access to the full range of domestic and imported wines as well as rare and collectible wines by virtue of allowing them to purchase products from wineries and retailers both in-state and out-of-state.

SWRA is additionally pleased that the bill provides Maryland with the means to collect state sales tax on shipped wines, carefully regulate out-of-state wine shippers and demands that no wines are delivered without first obtaining identification from the recipient.

COMPREHENSIVE WINE SHIPPING BILL ASSURES CONSUMERS HAVE ACCESS TO ALL WINES

"This is a model bill for the direct shipment of wine," said Keith Wollenberg, president of SWRA. "By giving Marylanders access to wines from both out-of-state retailers and wineries as well as in-state wineries and retailers, consumers will have access to the full range wines, not just domestically made, but many of the outstanding, coveted and collectible imported wines, the majority of which are not available in Maryland."

SWRA believes the direct shipment of wine will benefit all members of the Maryland alcohol beverage industry, from retailers who will now be able to serve their customers across the state, Maryland wholesalers that serve those retailers, to Maryland wineries that will also be able to expand their customer base by offering wine club purchase and remote sales to consumers across the state and country. And the Sate stands to gain by collecting taxes on all wines shipped into Maryland.

Finally, SWRA stands with the retailer members of the Wine Merchant Association of Maryland in championing the principle fair competition and in their support of the Direct Wine Shipper's Permit bill.

About SWRA

SWRA is a national coalition of wine retailers, auction houses, wine clubs and consumers that support a well regulated free market in wine.