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Wine merchants want freedom to mail you a bottle

By CHERYL MATTIX, Cecil Whig

Published 11/05/09

ELKTON, Md. (AP) — An advocacy group that is trying to convince Maryland's General Assembly to allow direct shipments by the state's wine retailers has the support of local liquor store owners.

Greg Birney, the owner of Cherry Hill Liquors off of Singerly Road, and Robert Murray, one of the owners of State Line Liquors on Maryland 279 near the state line, both said they're behind the current effort to legalize direct shipments that's being spearheaded by Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws.

"As a store owner that specializes in Maryland produced wines, I understand the problems facing the survival and growth of our state's wine industry," Birney said. "The distributor side of (Maryland's) three-tier system does not care about our local wineries and small businesses."

The three-tiered system mention by Birney is set in place by Maryland's current liquor laws, which require restaurants and alcohol retailers to purchase their liquor exclusively from a distributor, who in turn must purchase their inventory from manufacturers.

Several efforts to legalize direct shipments of alcohol in Maryland have been defeated, many over the last 25 years, as the result of strong opposition from wholesale distributors in Maryland, which is only one of three states in the country where direct shipping of wine is a felony. The other two states are Utah and Kentucky.

Advocates for direct shipment say the current law infringes on consumers freedom of choice, because many types of wines are not be carried by distributors, which typically offer only the most popular products and exclude small, niche wineries.

Delegate Carolyn Krysiak, a Baltimore Democrat and member of the state House Economic Matters Committee, said she plans to introduce a bill in the 2010 legislative session that would legalize direct shipments by wine retailers.

"We encouraged wineries to take a risk and start their businesses and now we're throwing roadblocks in front of them," Krysiak said. "I feel some sense of obligation to people who took this gamble in our state."

Opponents, however, argue that a direct shipment law would threaten jobs at distribution centers.

Krysiak said the 37 states that already allow the practice haven't lost jobs.

"I think the fears are unfounded, most restaurants and liquor stores will still order through the distributor," she said. "The distributors provide a marvelous convenience for businesses that sell alcohol."

Birney agreed.

"Most big wineries will sell through distributors because they won't want to take the time to deal with small orders," he said.

Birney said the ban on direct shipments by retailers has cost him sales in the past.

He related a story in which a Massachusetts resident sought to have a bottle of wine shipped to her home.

"I could not do it and e-mailed her to explain the Maryland law," he said, adding that the woman responded, "'You can get a gun easier than a bottle of merlot.'"

On the Net:

Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws: http://www.mbbwl.org/

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TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS, NOW - 2009-11-06 17:37:37

Thanks Adam, your organization [MBBWL] is doing a great job.

But, everyone has to tell their Delegates & Senator that we've been waiting too long. A face-to-face visit is the best way to get real attention. A snail-mail letter is also good. eMail is OK, but the other two option are better. But, any communication is better than none.

The distributors are actively lobbying the legislators -- we are the citizens, we must learn to lobby, too.

Paul Hoffstein, Eastport

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Paul Hoffstein - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

Get Involved in Changing The Laws - 2009-11-05 20:02:09

We were really pleased to see such great coverage and hope all will get involved with our cause to change these antiquated laws! As the article urges, please sign up with Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws at http://bit.ly/2OcHMz to learn more about the fight and how you can help.

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Adam Borden - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Neutral

CATCH UP WITH THE 21ST CENTURY - 2009-11-05 18:54:18

The benefits are almost Universal. All the wineries, many retailers and all adult consumers will benefit by Direct Shipping.

Only the distributors object.

So they bring up red herrings:
(a) Underage drinkers will be buying Boonws Farm [really they said that] over the internet.
(b) The Best in America Three-Tiered system will be destroyed.
(c) the out-of-state wineries will not pay sales tax.

Answers:
(a) Kids don't wait for anything -- not a week for booze. Kids do not drink wine. Shipping costs $40 or so for a case. The package must be signed for by someone over 21. Kids buy beer -- at the local liquor store -- with a fake ID or by using a friend.
(b) 31 States, many with 3-tiered systems co-exist with Direct Shipping. New Hampshire has only State Stores, but allows Direct Shipping. VA has the 3-tiered system, too, and has prospered. Retailers, wineries and consmers are happy. THe State collects taxes. NH, a tiny state collected $250,000. It would be $1,000,000 to MD.
(c) They don't stiff the other 31 states. The MD Comptroller is in favor.

Indeed, everyone is in favor except the Distributors and their bought Delegates & Senators. The MAJORITY of Delegates SPONSORED the 2009 bill. How could all this be thwarted by a few bought Delegates & Senators???

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Paul Richards - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

First things. first.. - 2009-11-05 16:10:56

Before we do something as luxurious as send beer and wine by mail, perhaps we could do something more practical ---allow it to be sold in Grocery stores !!!! I mean really people, what's up with that ?

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Fred Shubbie - , - Karma: Terrible

Distributor Oligopoly - 2009-11-05 14:56:28

In this day and age there's no excuse for legislating a middle man. Distributors do nothing but mark up the cost and limit the selection to the end consumer.

I've been to many wineries around the country, and it's always been frustrating that I couldn't have any bottles shipped home to Maryland, while friends from other states never had a problem.

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Scott S. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

Weak Argument - 2009-11-05 11:35:08

"Opponents, however, argue that a direct shipment law would threaten jobs at distribution centers."

Opponents are the distributors... who would now have to COMPETE. Imagine that... free market competition. What an idea that is.

Maryland's beer and wine laws are stone age as far as I'm concerned. They are now there to protect existing businesses and that's it.

We should be able to buy Beer and Wine with our groceries or through the internet... boy would we see some competition then.

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Bruce K - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent