WHOLESALERS AND WINERIES MOVE TOWARDS COMPROMISE IN MARYLAND

Last week the Maryland state Comptroller’s Office announced the likelihood that direct delivery will soon be halted, effective March 31. However, Sen. Thomas McLain Middleton and Virginia Clagett are sponsoring legislation that would allow in-state and out-of-state wineries to sell directly to retailers and restaurants. According to sources, state officials “didn’t have the option” of allowing wineries in other states to ship directly into Maryland, and were advised to have wineries sell only to distributors.