Free the Grapes!: New Jersey Wine Lovers Needed At Direct Shipping Hearing on

 Press Release Source: Free the Grapes! On Wednesday February 3, 2010, 2:16 pm EST

NAPA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Jersey wine lovers are encouraged to make their voices heard by testifying at Thursday’s (February 4, 2010) direct shipping public hearing on Senate Bill 766 that could pave the way for better consumer access to wines from across the U.S. www.freethegrapes.org

This important hearing is a first step towards replacing New Jersey’s archaic law banning in-state and out-of-state wineries from shipping directly to New Jersey consumers. Senate Bill 766 is based on the model direct shipping bill, now the legislative standard used by a majority of U.S. states. Similar statutes satisfy consumer demand and regulatory requirements, and create new sources for state tax revenues.

The wine shipping issue has been a contentious one in New Jersey, the fifth largest state for wine consumption, according to Adams Wine Handbook 2007.

Hearing Details:
 
What: Senate Bill 766 – Legal, Regulated Direct Wine Shipping 
Who: Senate Law and Public Safety Committee 
When: Thursday, February 4, 2010; 1:00 PM Eastern 
Location: State House Annex, 125 West State Street, 3rd Floor, Trenton, NJ. 

For more information, visit www.freethegrapes.org