OHIO GOV. SIGNS LIMITED SHIPPING BILL INTO LAW

Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland signed HB 199 into law yesterday (July 30). Created as an amendment to the 2008-09 budget bill, the law allows in-state and out-of-state wineries that produce less than 150,000 gallons of wine a year to ship directly to Ohio residents and retailers.

Wineries are only allowed to ship up to 24 cases of nine-liter wine bottles per year to households, however, which could create some controversy along with the 150,000 gallon cap.

The law is expected to go into effect in early fall.