Wine law

The Senate defeats a proposal to allow North Dakota wine makers to sell directly to stores.

North Dakota wineries can already sell directly to consumers.

However if they want to get their wine into a retailer they have to go through a wholesaler.

The bill would allow them to bypass a wholesaler and that's who collects the tax on alcohol. Opponents say the change would create a tax headache for the state.

(Mathern) "I think the important thing is diversification of Agriculture. I plan to support this bill, it puts more families on the land, keeps families on the land, creates positions for workers and that's what we need." (Nething) "This bill is not good for ND. We have helped our wine industry get started in many ways. More so than we ever have with any other alcohol producing entity in this state."