Wine Spectator: Tennessee Legislators Aim To Limit Winery Direct Shipping Sales

Two Tennessee lawmakers have proposed a law that would ban many small wineries from selling direct to the state’s consumers. The bill, introduced in both the state house of representatives and senate, would prohibit wineries from shipping to Tennessee residents through fulfillment houses, firms widely used by U.S. wineries to handle shipping logistics.

Owners of small wineries tell Wine Spectator that if the bill is passed it could be a devastating blow to many wineries’ sales in the state. It could also inspire legislators in other states who oppose wine sales outside the three-tier system. Courts have knocked down numerous other restrictions since the Supreme Court’s 2005 Granholm decision forbade states from discriminating between in-state and out-of-state wineries when it comes to direct-to-consumer sales. Wine Spectator has the full story.—Collin Dreizen

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