MuskogeePhoenix.com, Muskogee, OK

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January 15, 2008

Drop limits on wine

Legislators should begin making sense of Oklahoma’s laws regarding wine sales by passing at least two bills this session.

The state should permit direct sales by wineries to homes on a limited basis and also allow restricted sales to restaurants and liquor stores.

Oklahoma has more than 30 wineries, and like other states, Oklahoma has the potential to see more growth in the industry. But growth has not come easy because of antiquated regulations.

Oklahomans began to overturn those laws in 2004 by passing a law that permitted winemakers to sell their products to liquor stores and restaurants.

However, Oklahoma, like other states, had restrictions against out-of-state wineries. In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against New York and Michigan, stating their wine laws were discriminatory by allowing direct in-state wine sales, but not sales from out-of-state wineries.

Oklahoma’s law was declared unconstitutional, too. Oklahoma wineries have since not been able to make direct sales except at special events, such as fairs. Otherwise, they must go through wholesalers.

Of course, liquor wholesalers don’t want wineries to be able to sell directly to Oklahoma consumers. They don’t want the competition.

That’s where we are now, and that’s what needs changing because the business world is changing. Many people purchase most anything they want online, and while alcoholic products should face some restrictions because of the health danger they present, restrictions on wineries are unduly strict and unnecessary. Oklahoma laws are protecting wholesalers’ market in the state, not people from misusing alcohol.

Of course, Oklahoma must open up the market to out-of-state wineries. The state should not fear countrywide competition, but look at it as incentive for improving our own industry.

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