VIDEO: Bill Could Limit Out-of-State Wine Shipments

A bill co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Howard Coble, R-6th, could lead to limitations on the state’s small wineries shipping to out-of-state customers.

The bill is called the CARE Act, Community Alcohol Regulatory Effectiveness Act of 2011. It would resolve legal disputes over whether states are allowed to create their own laws controlling whether wineries can ship to customers without going through a licensed wholesaler. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled the federal Commerce Clause supersedes many state laws limiting the direct sales of wines directly to consumers.

The N.C. Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association’s Executive Director Tim Kent says the bill would not limit a small winery’s access to markets.

Benjamin Vineyards owner Andy Zeeman says the opposite. He describes the bill as a first step wholesalers will use to then demand that wine shipments go through them.

To watch CarolinaJournal.tv’s full report on the wine shipment issue, click on the video.

Anthony Greco is an associate editor of Carolina Journal.