Free The Grapes Year End Summary

Before I jump back into reviews, I thought I would provide the year end summary received from Free The Grapes. Although a bit delayed, I feel it’s important to share the great progress the organization continues to make in expanding consumer choice.

• Tennessee created a direct shipping permit.
• Kansas passed a direct shipping statute.
• Maine passed a direct shipping statute.
• Legislators in Florida, the third largest wine-consuming state, denied the fourth consecutive attempt to impose a capacity cap on shipments. Floridians, get ready to defend shipping in 2010!
• Proposed legislation in Maryland did better than anyone expected, and momentum continues to build toward 2010 with a rising base of active, local consumers and interested media. Read the Baltimore Sun’s news piece (11/27/09) at http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bal-md.wine27nov27,0,5339815.story and their editorial (9/7/09) at http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2009-09-07/news/0909060036_1_shipment-of-wine-direct-shipment-wine-industry. Marylanders, follow the events of the Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws at http://www.mbbwl.org/
• Proposed legislation in New Jersey generated tremendous consumer interest and press coverage.
• Industry representatives continued to work with Pennsylvania authorities, demonstrating the many consumer benefits of direct shipping.
• The Massachusetts lawsuit challenging the capacity cap was argued before the 1st Circuit US Court of Appeals on November 2. A ruling is expected next Spring.
• Arizona’s capacity cap and mandatory trip to winery provision were argued before the 9th Circuit in September.
• The Facebook page for Free the Grapes! grew from a few hundred to nearly 5,000 fans.

50% off shipping of 6 or more bottles of wine online with coupon code “wine46”.