INDIANA: COURTS SHOULD STAY OUT OF IT

Wineries in Indiana are still hoping the state will legalize direct wine shipping. Although winemakers and wholesalers were close to reaching a compromise late last month, Senate President Pro Tem Robert Garton killed the bill because of pending lawsuits. In response, Rep. Matt Whetstone is working on reviving the proposal in a conference committee on an unrelated bill. The plan will allow wineries that sell less than 600,000 gallons a year to ship up to 24 cases to individuals yearly. Matt believes “it’s critical that lawmakers are the policy makers and not the courts.” However, without Garton’s consent and a compromise between wholesalers and wineries, the case will likely move on to the judicial system.