Recent Progress in Massachusetts Wine Shipment Laws Threatened

I was alerted by Richard over at The Passionate Foodie of an important development in the ongoing battle regarding consumer-direct wine shipment laws in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Evidently, Attorney General Martha Coakley is planning to appeal recent changes in Massachusetts wine shipment laws that would increase the wine-buying options available to Massachusetts wine consumers. In short, the legislation change in the fall of last year was a step forward for consumers. It struck down laws which currently prohibit wineries from shipping directly to Massachusetts consumers. Don't worry- there are plenty of other laws lurking behind this one that will still make it nearly impossible to have wine shipped legally from a winery to your home. However, this legislation is an important step in freeing the grapes and each issue needs to be worked through systematically.

I fully agree with this Boston Herald piece that appealing this ruling is a waste of taxpayer money. Don't we have more important things to worry about?

What you can do right now to help if you're a MA resident: Visit this page from Free the Grapes.org and fill out a form to fax the Attorney General a message discouraging her from wasting tax payer money fighting this legislation. I did it. It takes 1 minute and it is painless.

Thank you for your consideration. 

Related Reading:

• MA ABCC to Retailers: No Shipping Wine Out of State
• Proposed Legislation Offers Hope for MA Wine Shipment

Update (1/14/2010): This appeal has been denied. Read more HERE.