Bruce K wrote:Yes, thanks for the link. My own experience has been largely positive, with the sole exception that a number of smaller wineries have chosen not to jump through the various hoops required for a direct shipping permit, probably because the expense doesn't justify the additional sales that would result. My understanding is that Maryland's process is more difficult than other states due to some amendments the wholesalers slipped in before passage.
Nevertheless, the direct shipping law is more than welcome in a state where it was once a felony. And it's good to know that it's working well overall. It's also worth a reminder that passage of such a law was long considered a political impossibility due to the NRA-like power of the wholesalers lobby in Maryland. Kudos are due to state Sen. Jamie Raskin who fought for this year in and year out, and kept going after each defeat until it finally passed.
+1. Roughly a third of what I ordered from US wineries last year had to go to DC. If I exclude the bigger wineries such as Ridge and Tablas, its would be half, probaly closer to two thirds going to DC. Still better than it was.