More shipping issues
Posted: Thu Feb 15, 2018 1:41 pm
Larry Schaffer, a California winemaker, posted this on his FB page and on another wine forum. A retailer here in Cali also posted he's lost about $100,000/year in sales with the new restrictions on shipping and he's not a big shop. I could only imagine how much a large retailer like K&L Wines has lost in sales. I would implore any of you buying wine out of state to make sure you can still get it delivered before you buy it.
I received an email from my third party shipper yesterday informing me that, until further notice, they are not allowed to ship to the following states, regardless of whether a winery has a license to do so or not:
Alabama
Arkansas
Delaware
Kentucky (felony)
Mississippi
Oklahoma
Rhode Island and of course
Utah
Note that this is a major third party shipper used by many throughout CA so this will affect quite a few wineries. My guess is that other third party shippers are getting the same word, so you may see many wineries informing those who live in these states to prepare NOT to receive direct shipments in the near future.
This is getting crazy, and it's all driven by in-state lawmakers feeling heat from in-state wineries, in-state retailers, and mainly in-state wholesalers. What can we all do? Consider contacting your local congress person, consider contacting FreeTheGrapes and other organizations that are fighting for consumer rights, etc.
Bummer . . .