February 10, 2017
Dear Wine Enthusiasts,
Last year, more wine lovers like you were able to purchase wines directly than ever before. But we’re not done yet!
We still have six states that ban shipments, and several more states with onerous regulations and archaic restrictions that reduce choice in wine, and make it difficult for wineries. As we enter our 19^th year at Free the Grapes!, we are not giving up the fight for consumer choice!

Legislative Updates

New Jersey: Show Legislators You Want Wine Direct Shipping
We need your help to support favorable wine direct shipping legislation.
As you may know, New Jersey is one of only two states that bans winery-to-consumer shipments from larger wineries that produce more than 250,000 gallons (or 106,000 cases) each vintage.  It also prohibits many small and medium-sized wineries owned by larger wineries from shipping directly to consumers in New Jersey. This “capacity cap” excludes direct shipments from wineries that produce more than 90% of U.S. wine.  
It’s time to give New Jersey legislators notice that wine consumers want real choice. It’s time to allow ALL wineries to ship wine to the homes and offices of New Jersey wine drinkers.
ACTION:

1. Write Your Legislators: Take two minutes to personalize your message and voice your support. Click here to visit our website and send your message automatically to your legislators. 
2. Join Facebook.com/FreetheGrapes New Jersey: News and updates and pending legislation.
3. Forward this Message to Your Friends and Colleagues: Legislators really do listen to consumers and we need wine lovers to speak up.

Pennsylvanians: You Love Your Wine!
As you know, after years of work, PA passed a winery direct shipping bill and started processing winery licenses last August. Just five months later, state regulators have issued more than 700 winery licenses, a very rapid start-up compared to other states. Industry analysts reported that by the end of 2016, PA ranked 22nd among 44 states for winery shipments by volume.  Pennsylvania was the largest of the seven states that continued to ban winery shipments, and became the 44th state to allow direct shipping.
Oklahoma: Write Your Legislator Today
As previously reported, Free the Grapes! is encouraging OK wine lovers to write their legislators with a simple message: support plans in 2017 to introduce favorable legislation. Visit our website to get more information on this complicated situation, and take 2 minutes to write your legislator. 
Short Updates

• Delaware: Again, we are expecting that a favorable bill will be introduced. Read our 2016 update here. We will will provide updates as they occur. 
• Rhode Island: We are hoping that RI will soon introduce a bill that removes the onerous “winery visit penalty” that requires consumers to visit the winery before a direct shipment can be made. Arkansas is the only other state with this restriction; Arizona removed its winery visit penalty last year. Read our 2016 update here.

Thank you for your support!
Free the Grapes!    

2700 Napa Valley Corporate Dr. Suite H, Napa, CA 94558   |   707.254.1107   |   fedup@freehthegrapes.org