Delaware bill could finally permit wine to be shipped directly to consumers
DOVER, Del. – Wine of the month club memberships can make for popular Christmas gifts, but if you live in Delaware you’re unlikely to find one stuffed in your stocking next week. That’s because it’s not legal to ship wine to consumers in the First State.
Delaware remains just one of three states in the nation to prohibit the direct shipment of wine to consumers. That’s something that State Representative Jeff Spiegelman has long fought to change through legislation.
“We’ve been trying for years to get this done,” explained Rep. Spiegelman. “We have been fought by the distributors, we’ve been fought by the stores, we’ve been fought by the unions, we’ve been fought, and fought, and fought, and meanwhile this is a service that Delawareans are demanding.”
The legislative push is something that’s backed by wineries across the First State who, for years, have long wanted the ability to be able to ship cases to their customers.
“We’re just trying to grow and being hindered by our legislation is hurting us,” explained Alexis Nunan, sales director for Harvest Ridge Winery in Marydel.
A bill like this passing could be a game-changer for wineries like Harvest Ridge.
“It would increase our wine club membership,” Nunan said. “We’re around 2,800 wine club members — 75-percent of them are in Kent County. So, because you would literally have to come to our door to pick up your wine club every three months. So, being able to ship and extend that reach is huge for us.”
Liquor stores across Delaware have historically been opposed to this type of legislation. WMDT’s Rob Petree spoke to some of them Wednesday who wouldn’t agree to an interview but did express concerns that it could hurt their sales.
All beer, wine, and liquor sales in Delaware are handled through a three-tier system of distributors, wholesalers, and retailers established following the repeal of Prohibition over 90 years ago.
“The liquor stores and distributors have actually seen an uptick in business,” Rep. Spiegelman said. “So, this idea that it’s going to break down the three-tiered system as we know it if we allow craft-wineries to ship in and out of Delaware is absolutely positive nonsense, it is fear-mongering to try and defeat a bill that Delawareans want.”
The bill would only cover limited sales from wineries directly to consumers. Online retail sales would continue to be prohibited.
Wineries and carriers (FedEx, UPS, etc.) would need to obtain a state license. Delivery drivers would be required to receive training on making wine deliveries responsibly. They would also be mandated to deliver only to adults over 21 who identified themselves and signed for the package.
State alcohol taxes would be levied on all shipments, holding them to the same standard as retail sales, and there would be an annual limit on direct to consumer wine sales to any one household.
The legislation has yet to be officially introduced, but was announced Wednesday by Rep. Spiegelman and Rep. Mike Smith.
