HR 1161–Watching Wine Distributors Eat Their Own
"No legitimate player in the industry feels litigation is an appropriate method for establishing or altering alcohol policy." Craig Wolf, President, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers Association The above quote comes from a press release issued by WSWA applauding the introduction...
The Lies and Fallacies Behind the Wine Bill HR 1161
What lies and fallacies lie ahead in the effort to prevent America's beer wholesalers from passing HR 1161 and keeping craft beers, wines and a spirits out of consumer hands? This one: "the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution created...
Beer Wholesalers Turn Into Cybersquatters
Now alcohol wholesalers aren't content with working as hard as they can to keep you from the wines you want. They don't just want to slap down free trade. Now they want to slap down Free Speech. The National Beer...
New Wine Bill In Congress Takes Aim at Consumers
As promised, America's beer and wine wholesalers have again convinced a congressman to introduce what can only be called the "Wholesaler Protection Act". What was hr 5034 last year is now HR 1161. Representative Jason Chaffetz (R) from Utah is...
Money Hungry Lawmakers in Maryland to Ban Shipment of French Wines
I've watched a lot of legislatures debate direct shipping policy and watched many lawmakers give in to special interests over and over. However, I've never seen lawmakers so blatantly be bought off by local special interests at the expense of...
What is the "Three Tier System"?
On more than one occasion, when I've pitched stories to a member of the media concerning direct shipping or wine politics, I've found myself spending the majority of the time with a writer explaining to them what the "three tier...
The Best Deals in Wine Country
I don't know what the parents come up with in Dairyland when they put together an auction for their private schools. Maybe a night of dinner and milk among the cows. In Lobsterland perhaps the parents looking to raise funds...
Kickbacks in Wine Country—A Problem?
You are a winery in Napa or Sonoma and only open by invitation. It means you don't get just anyone off the street. But you do get your fair share of visitors/buyers at the winery. Your wine is fairly expensive:...
Maryland Wine Sellers Go Begging For Welfare Instead of Work
If all goes according to plan, tomorrow Maryland wine lovers will finally be heard when they head to Annapolis to explain to legislators why it's finally time to to pass a law allowing wine to be shipped to them. Then,...
