Pennsylvania’s Archaic Wine Shipping Laws
In May, the Supreme Court issued a ruling that said states must have consistent intra-state and inter-state wine shipping laws. For example, a state could not allow in-state wineries to ship to its residents while disallowing out-of-state wine shipments to its residents. Many states are currently in violation of this ruling. Pennsylvania is one of them.
What makes the issue particularly difficult for Pennsylvania lawmakers to resolve is that, with the exception of PA wineries shipping to PA residents, under the existing system, all wine and alcohol must be purchased through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). These sales generate an annual income of several hundred million dollars (last year it was close to 400 million). Opening the doors to inter-state wine shipments would syphon off a large chunk of money that is now produced by the sale of wine through the PLCB.
In July, a suit was filed against Pennsylvania by a Montgomery County resident and an Indiana County Vintner claiming that PA laws were discriminatory and in violation of the Supreme Court ruling. The LCB responded to the suit by shutting down all direct shipment of wine effective Nov. 1, 2005. Not exactly what some of us who are looking for more choice and better prices were hoping for. However, change may be brewing.
Senator Jim Ferlo, D-Pittsburgh, is drafting a bill that seeks to to allow PA residents to order wine from out-of-state or out-of-country wineries. Whether this bill will pass is yet to be seen, but we can be hopeful. It is time for Pennsylvania to relinquish some of its archaic post-prohibition stronghold and allow for greater consumer choice.
