Washington Wine Growers Seek Direct Delivery

Supreme Court agreed to consider two conflicting cases dealing with direct shipping of wine.  The Supreme Court is expected to hear the case in December. The outcome of this case could have a significant and adverse effect on the Washington wine industry.

While Washington's Attorney General Christine Gregoire signed on the brief requesting the Supreme Court review, she is now working with California's Attorney General Bill Lockyer to prepare an amicus brief to support and defend the right of states to have interstate direct shipping laws. 

"I whole heartedly support the growth of the Washington wine industry," said Gregoire during a recent Washington Wine Institute board meeting.  "I will be a leader in the charge to create a coalition of Attorneys General to submit an amicus on the merits to support direct to consumer shipments of wine."  

Washington State is one of 13 states that enacted "reciprocity" laws that permit direct shipment of wine to consumers in other states with a similar reciprocal agreement, and one of 26 states and the District of Columbia that allow some form of interstate direct shipping.

"We are very pleased with our Attorney General's support for our industry and direct shipping of wine," said Chris Figgins, Washington Wine Institute president. "More than 75 percent of Washington's wineries are small and the ability to ship directly to consumers has been important to our growing success as a premium wine producing state."

"The ability to ship directly to consumers is critical, especially for smaller wineries trying to establish a market.  Small wineries are often unable to find a distributor willing to market their wines, so we need to protect our ability to ship wine directly to customers in Washington and in other states.  At a minimum, we hope more states will join Washington and the other reciprocal states in allowing at least some direct shipment of wine to their state residents.  We want to open markets, not encourage bans," said Figgins.

The Washington wine industry is a growing $2.4 billion industry employing more than 11,000 people. With more than 275 wineries and 29,000 vineyard acres, progressive wine legislation is important in supporting the growth of Washington's wine industry.

The Washington Wine Institute is a 501 (C) (6) lobbying organization designed to address legislative issues facing the Washington wine industry in state and nationally.