http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/search/hb393.htm
Internet wine sales closer to becoming legal
State House approves bill allowing Georgians to order from farm wineries; Senate will get a shot
By JAMES SALZER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/28/08
The state House overwhelmingly approved legislation this afternoon that would let Georgians buy cases of wine over the Internet from farm wineries.
House members also passed legislation letting wineries in Georgia sell beer and liquor as well as wine in their tasting rooms.
The legislation to allow direct wine purchases from wineries has been held up in the past by Georgia's liquor industry, which didn't want the competition. However, liquor industry lobbyists worked with the measure's sponsor, Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), to limit the scope of the legislation.
Under Stephens' direct shipping bill, which passed 126-8, Georgians would be allowed to order up to 12 cases of wine a year from farm wineries. Stephens argues the change will help Georgia's wineries because their products are not always available in grocery and liquor stores. It will also help Georgians who want to purchase cases from heavy wine-growing areas such as California.
Georgians would have to verify they are 21 or older to order the wine. Stephens said an online age verification system will be used to make sure wineries aren't selling to minors. He said 37 other states allow such sales and officials in those states haven't had a problems with wine being shipped to minors.
Comments
Wow, maybe GA politicians
Wow, maybe GA politicians aren't as deaf to the public as I thought. I agree with Wil, we need to be able to buy direct from the breweries, and make growlers legal. When I went to New York you could take your growler to the brewery, fill it up, and enjoy beer that night right from the brewery. Maybe one day GA will come up to speed with the rest of the country. In Mississippi they have only one microbrewery and it was legal to brew beer there only about five yesrs ago, so it could be worse!
"so it could be worse"...In
"so it could be worse"...In Utah it is still illegal to homebrew, although they are trying to pass a law now that would legalize it.
Wow Greg. You would think
Wow Greg. You would think with having three wives in Utah that homebrewing would be one of the first things to legalize. How do the polygamists "get away from it all?"
I AGREE THAT THIS IS
I AGREE THAT THIS IS WONDERFUL FOR LOCAL WINE AROUND THE STATE. MAYBE BEER COULD BECOME LIKE WINE AND BE SOLD AT THE BREWERY TO THE PUBLIC LIKE 80% OF THE COUNTRY, AND MAYBE BEER WILL BE SHIPPED LIKE WINE ALSO.
Local wineries
I could see that it would open the doors a bit for more very small wineries and breweries to eventually open up and start to see distribution across state line. I am sure that The Bandit would apprecitate that. Trans Am not included of course. But I am sure that Moonshine has it's trouble with the laws still. But it still works good for those muscle cars and cleaning the engine up.
I wonder if this would also help with package sales at bars and such. I know in Mich. and AZ that you can get a case, six pack or what ever to go after leaving. So I am sure that may come into play at a later date. Although outside most city limits in AZ you can buy beer at 6am 7 days a week, so you know the wild west is still going on there. Unless your carrying your gun, then you still have to give it to the bartender, just like in the 1800's!
Funny stuff. However, we are
Funny stuff. However, we are in the south (otherwise known as the Bible Belt), I don't see six pack roadies happening anytime soon. For now it will have to occur under the radar.
Hope to see you at the next meeting!
At least wine sales
I can honestly say that even though I love my beer, whether it's homebrewed or commercial, that I do like wine as well. I have been a cook for 7 years and done many wine tastings. I like my merlot and Cabernet now and then. I am planning on doing some wine brewing in the future. It's nice that Ga is finally giving it constituents what it really wants.
It will open the way for the Beer of the month club for GA as well. Right now I am drinking a Harpoon I.P.A. Must say a very good IPA!
Either way for this bill to pass, it will help with the local farmers who are trying to make a name for themselves in making less than 850 BBLs of wine per year and get their products out there. I do support local wineries when I know of them. Good fresh stuff to drink and cook with. Ask me about pairings sometime, it does depend on taste and the food prepared. I do hope that it does passes. I want a few bottles of wine that I can't get here. Let's hope.