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Direct Shipping

By Harry Peterson-Nedry

That wisdom comes with age is a premise often challenged or ignored. At least by young guys. As I become less-and-less young, and as I have affirming experiences such as I had last December, I know it is true.

I was pleased to attend the US Supreme Court hearing on December 7th, when the Granholm v. Heald direct wine shipment case was heard. The incisive, extremely articulate, erudite, and common sense—no BS—questioning the court did to both parties to the suit was impressive. The white-haired court's probing punished the 3-tier advocates (states and distributors) disproportionately, presaging the eventual decision.

Trying to balance the rights given to states by the 21st Amendment for control of alcohol against the fair-and-equitable interstate commerce guarantees of the Constitution's latent Commerce Clause, the court decided that states could NOT unfairly treat out-of-state wine shippers in regulating their systems. Although only formally addressing New York's and Michigan's laws, which permitted in-state wineries to ship to consumers directly, the ruling requires non-discriminatory treatment in all states. Already, several states have weighed-in to change laws legislatively or settle cases in courts that affect wineries' abilities to ship directly to consumers, some like New York, Texas, Florida et al clearing the way for direct out-of-state shipments, others like Rhode Island prohibiting all direct shipments.

Direct shipping to consumers

This is the beginning of greater freedom to ship directly to consumers, but the details are important as many states change their regulations (even California recently). So, to learn your state's current regulations, check websites such as

Wine America
Free the Grapes
Coalition for Free Trade
... or call us at 503-538-4700.

So, order new and currently-released wines and exercise your rights! —Harry

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