4.4.2016
by Michael Kaiser
WineAmerica almost exclusively focuses on federal policy, but every once in a while we get involved in a state-specific issue if the end result has a positive outcome for the American wine industry. To that end, we commend Arizona for enacting a new law that would expand direct-to-consumer wine shipping.
Current Arizona law states that wineries producing 20,000 gallons or less (which works out to 8,412 cases) or less can ship wine directly to Arizona consumers unless the consumer was present at the winery when the wine was purchased. The new law (SB 1381) removes the winery visitation requirement and opened shipping to all wineries.
The new law provides for a limited, regulated and tax paid shipping by American wineries who obtain a license from the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control. The new licenses will begin to be issued no later than January 1, 2017. There is a gradual increase in the amount of wine that can be shipped to an individual consumer in the three years after the new law goes into effect: 6 cases through 2017; 9 cases in 2018; and 12 cases beginning in 2019 and thereafter. The law includes safeguards to prevent wine being shipped to minors.
WineAmerica worked with the Wine Institute, Washington Wine Institute, Oregon Winegrowers Association, and the Arizona Winegrowers Association to ensure passage of the new law.
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Questions? Contact Michael Kaiser, Director of Public Affairs, mkaiser@nullwineamerica.org.
WineAmerica is the national voice the American wine industry. Based in Washington, D.C., WineAmerica represents wineries in 43 states and leads a coalition of state and regional wine and grape associations. As an industry leader, WineAmerica encourages the dynamic growth and development of American wineries and winegrowing through the advancement and advocacy of sound public policy
