6 Comments
User's avatar
Kim S's avatar

Ugh! How frustrating and unnecessary. Did you see this article about Oregon? While we can sell DTC and DTT, our own health authority is actively trying to crush breweries and wineries (both of which are important economic drivers in the state) with false information and scare tactics. So frustrating to see state officials be so off base in so many states. https://newschoolbeer.com/home/2024/12/92i6905dryzgpiijhw7y5v1ygtv1q8

Expand full comment
Steven Harrison's avatar

Yes, it is very problematic that regulatory agencies are setting law and laws that do not actually exist. The have no care for the producers business or for consumer choice - they have just inserted themselves as the "no" agencies in some states.

Expand full comment
John Shiffer's avatar

I don’t disagree with most of your points, but I would like to clarify two.

Virginia ABC will accept most any Virginia wine that presents itself for consideration. However, most are able to sell their full capacity through other channels and don’t consider ABC.

Virginia ABC, by code, is not allowed to carry any wine except Virginia wine. That is why the wine percent of sales is so low.

Expand full comment
Steven Harrison's avatar

Appreciate the additional information on that point. The rest of their actions speak for themselves and should not be tolerated in a country that emphasizes the land of opportunity and yet an agency works its hardest to cut consumer choice and restrict business with no regulatory consequence in what they fight for.

Expand full comment
Tom Wark's avatar

In VA, out of state retailers may ship to consumers in the state. However, before any wine can be shipped, the retailer must get a letter of permission from the brand owner in the state (read: wholesaler)

Expand full comment
Steven Harrison's avatar

Oh yes, we have sent them over 70,000 COLA's so far. It has zero regulatory benefit, just another hurdle they allowed the wholesalers to insert into the process. It is the same as the discriminatory quantity limit they inflict on the state residents for online sales when they can simply walk in to a VA ABC store and buy any quantity they like.

Expand full comment