Our say: Unfair policy hurts state wineries and consumers

It was only a matter of time before Robert Epstein set his sights on Maryland. Mr. Epstein is an Indiana attorney who has made a cause out of breaking down state bans on the direct shipment of out-of-state wines. His crusade is fully justified. But it has damaged Maryland wineries, thanks to the stubbornness of state officials.

Let's say you visit a small Napa Valley winery whose wines are not sold in Maryland. If you buy anything, you cannot legally ship it home. Maryland law requires alcoholic beverages to pass through a three-tier system - producer to distributor to retailer.

State officials say this is needed to keep wine...