FLORIDA COMMITTEE APPROVES DIRECT SHIPPING CAP

After Free the Grapes (a trade organization) made it known last week that the Florida legislature has yet to decide whether it will continue allowing direct-to-consumer shipments from U.S. wineries, a decision was reached yesterday (Monday) by lawmakers at the request of local distributors and retailers. [Ed. Note: Remember that Southern Wine & Spirits, the largest national wine and spirits wholesaler, is based in Florida]. Yesterday, a senate committee approved a bill (SB 2282) that would allow wineries that produce less than 250,000 gallons of wine a year to deliver directly to Florida residents. It’s worth mentioning that no Florida winery produces more than 250,000 gallons of wine a year, so we’re predicting a lawsuit on the behalf of an out-of-state winery if and when the bill is signed into a law.

The measure would also require wineries to pay a $250 annual licensing fee and prohibit them from shipping more than 12 cases a year to a single household. Many reports claim that the bill is expected to pass by the end of the session (May 4). The wine industry’s model direct shipping bill, HB1217, still awaits a verdict.

A bill similar to SB 2282 was approved by the house last year only to die in the senate. Since then, direct shipping in Florida has continued without much regulation.