The Beer and Wine Law Reformer -- Issue #4
In This Issue
The big Maryland Wine Festival is this weekend and we're looking for volunteers. Voters pick their Comptroller candidates. Will it help our chances for direct shipping in 2007? Terrapin Station is looking for pickers for its first harvest. And Virginia wineries are losing big after they lose the right to self-distribute.
The big Maryland Wine Festival is this weekend and we're looking for volunteers. Voters pick their Comptroller candidates. Will it help our chances for direct shipping in 2007? Terrapin Station is looking for pickers for its first harvest. And Virginia wineries are losing big after they lose the right to self-distribute.
Wine News
Wine Fest this Weekend, Terrapin Pickin' Grapes, Virginia Vinyard Hurtin'
Maryland Wine Festival This Weekend -- Volunteers Needed
The Maryland Wine Festival has been a tradition for over 20 years, and is known among wine aficionados around the U.S. and even Europe. This year's festival features blues, jazz, and zydeco music; arts and crafts; great food; and of course, delicious Maryland wine. On Saturday, Governor Bob Ehrlich will be presenting the Governor's Cup awards to the best wines in the state.
Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws is looking for volunteers to man the tables this Saturday and Sunday, September 16-17. Won't you join us in drinking some fine wine while signing up supporters to get direct shipping in Maryland in 2007? You'll receive free entrance to the festival and a free MBBWL t-shirt for your dedication to the cause.
Interested? Email Scott Ehlers at scott_at_betterbeerandwinelaws.org and let him know what time you are available.
Calling All Pickers for Terrapin Station's First Harvest
Terrapin Station's first harvest is coming in this weekend, and they're looking for pickers to make it happen. According to Morris Zwick, Terrapin Station's president, "It will be a modest start, but this coming Saturday September 16 we will do our first harvest of our Cayuga vines. We would love to have you there to help us pick, crush and press the grapes. We will provide food and drinks. You provide labor. Gloves and, if you have them, pruning shears, are recommended. If you are allergic to bees (like me), please make sure you have a kit. You probably won't get stung, but better safe than sorry!"
If you can make it, let Morris know by emailing him at: morris.zwick_at_terrapinstationwinery.com.
Terrapin Station Winery is located at 80 Ricketts Mill Road, Elkton, Maryland 21921. Online here.
Virginia Wine Industry Devastated After Losing Self-Distribution Rights
Earlier this year, Maryland wineries almost lost the ability to self-distribute their own wines after Comptroller Schaefer threatened to stop the practice when faced with a lawsuit by a Pennsylvania winery. Luckily, the legislature came to the rescue and passed a new law giving both small in-state and out-of-state wineries the right to self-distribute their product.
The devastating effects of taking away small wineries' self-distribution rights can be seen just across the Potomac in Virginia, where small wineries lost the right to self-distribute on July 1. This week, a hearing on the issue was held in the Fincastle library, where 60 small grape growers and producers got a chance to give legislators an earful. Jim Holaday of Blue Ridge Vineyard told the elected officials, "If something isn't done quickly I will be out of business in another year." Bedford Winery owner Danny Johnson noted that tourism dollars were being threatened by the law too. "Those dollars are pure dollars-no services have to be provided for the tourist who comes for a visit," said Johnson.
To learn more about the power politics that are in play around this issue (and direct shipping), please read this article.
Politics
Franchot, Wine Law Reformer, Wins Democratic Comptroller Race
Del. Peter Franchot won the Comptroller's race in the Democratic primary, garnering 36 percent of the vote. The race was tight, with Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owen coming in second with 34 percent, and political legend and incumbent William Donald Schaefer coming in third.
Franchot was endorsed by Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws for his outspoken support for reforming Maryland's antiquated alcohol laws. The Comptroller regulates what is known as the "3-tier system," which greatly impacts Maryland's wineries and the wines you are allowed to buy.
The Baltimore Sun recently asked the Comptroller candidates about their position on Maryland's alcohol laws. Franchot told the Sun:
"The 3-tiered system is anti-competitive, antiquated, and does not benefit the consumer. It has been twisted from its original purpose of protecting consumers from liquor cartels, in to a system which, instead, protects monopolistic distributors. As Comptroller, I would make suggestions to the legislature about making the system more open to competition and pro-consumer."
Republican voters elected Anne M. McCarthy, a former dean of the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business. It is not clear what Ms. McCarthy's views are of Maryland's alcohol regulations. We'll try to find out and let you know.
Wine and Beer Festivals
Wine Fest This Week and Two in October; Oktoberfest Next Month
September 16-17, 2006: Maryland Wine Festival, Carroll County Farm Museum, Westminster, MD. Online here.
October 7-8, 2006: Riverside Wine Fest, Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, MD. Online here.
October 14, 2006: Maryland Brewer's Oktoberfest, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD. Online here.
October 21-22, 2006: Autumn Wine Festival, Pemberton Park, Salisbury, MD. Online here.
Join the Fight
Volunteers, Donations, Partnerships and Fundraisers Needed
Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws needs your help to make Maryland's beer and wine laws better for consumers, Maryland's independent wineries and brewers. This fall we'll be hitting the festivals to build our grassroots network of supporters. We're also making plans to raise our issues in this year's elections. Won't you help us make it all happen?
Please consider sending MBBWL a donation through Paypal today!
If you donate $25 or more, you'll get a free Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws t-shirt.
In addition to donations, we are also looking for volunteers to exhibit at festivals, and we need wineries, breweries, and restaurants for partnerships and fundraisers. Please contact MBBWL Executive Director, Scott Ehlers, if you are interested in any of these opportunities.
Wine Fest this Weekend, Terrapin Pickin' Grapes, Virginia Vinyard Hurtin'
Maryland Wine Festival This Weekend -- Volunteers Needed
The Maryland Wine Festival has been a tradition for over 20 years, and is known among wine aficionados around the U.S. and even Europe. This year's festival features blues, jazz, and zydeco music; arts and crafts; great food; and of course, delicious Maryland wine. On Saturday, Governor Bob Ehrlich will be presenting the Governor's Cup awards to the best wines in the state.
Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws is looking for volunteers to man the tables this Saturday and Sunday, September 16-17. Won't you join us in drinking some fine wine while signing up supporters to get direct shipping in Maryland in 2007? You'll receive free entrance to the festival and a free MBBWL t-shirt for your dedication to the cause.
Interested? Email Scott Ehlers at scott_at_betterbeerandwinelaws.org and let him know what time you are available.
Calling All Pickers for Terrapin Station's First Harvest
Terrapin Station's first harvest is coming in this weekend, and they're looking for pickers to make it happen. According to Morris Zwick, Terrapin Station's president, "It will be a modest start, but this coming Saturday September 16 we will do our first harvest of our Cayuga vines. We would love to have you there to help us pick, crush and press the grapes. We will provide food and drinks. You provide labor. Gloves and, if you have them, pruning shears, are recommended. If you are allergic to bees (like me), please make sure you have a kit. You probably won't get stung, but better safe than sorry!"
If you can make it, let Morris know by emailing him at: morris.zwick_at_terrapinstationwinery.com.
Terrapin Station Winery is located at 80 Ricketts Mill Road, Elkton, Maryland 21921. Online here.
Virginia Wine Industry Devastated After Losing Self-Distribution Rights
Earlier this year, Maryland wineries almost lost the ability to self-distribute their own wines after Comptroller Schaefer threatened to stop the practice when faced with a lawsuit by a Pennsylvania winery. Luckily, the legislature came to the rescue and passed a new law giving both small in-state and out-of-state wineries the right to self-distribute their product.
The devastating effects of taking away small wineries' self-distribution rights can be seen just across the Potomac in Virginia, where small wineries lost the right to self-distribute on July 1. This week, a hearing on the issue was held in the Fincastle library, where 60 small grape growers and producers got a chance to give legislators an earful. Jim Holaday of Blue Ridge Vineyard told the elected officials, "If something isn't done quickly I will be out of business in another year." Bedford Winery owner Danny Johnson noted that tourism dollars were being threatened by the law too. "Those dollars are pure dollars-no services have to be provided for the tourist who comes for a visit," said Johnson.
To learn more about the power politics that are in play around this issue (and direct shipping), please read this article.
Politics
Franchot, Wine Law Reformer, Wins Democratic Comptroller Race
Del. Peter Franchot won the Comptroller's race in the Democratic primary, garnering 36 percent of the vote. The race was tight, with Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owen coming in second with 34 percent, and political legend and incumbent William Donald Schaefer coming in third.
Franchot was endorsed by Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws for his outspoken support for reforming Maryland's antiquated alcohol laws. The Comptroller regulates what is known as the "3-tier system," which greatly impacts Maryland's wineries and the wines you are allowed to buy.
The Baltimore Sun recently asked the Comptroller candidates about their position on Maryland's alcohol laws. Franchot told the Sun:
"The 3-tiered system is anti-competitive, antiquated, and does not benefit the consumer. It has been twisted from its original purpose of protecting consumers from liquor cartels, in to a system which, instead, protects monopolistic distributors. As Comptroller, I would make suggestions to the legislature about making the system more open to competition and pro-consumer."
Republican voters elected Anne M. McCarthy, a former dean of the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business. It is not clear what Ms. McCarthy's views are of Maryland's alcohol regulations. We'll try to find out and let you know.
Wine and Beer Festivals
Wine Fest This Week and Two in October; Oktoberfest Next Month
September 16-17, 2006: Maryland Wine Festival, Carroll County Farm Museum, Westminster, MD. Online here.
October 7-8, 2006: Riverside Wine Fest, Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, MD. Online here.
October 14, 2006: Maryland Brewer's Oktoberfest, Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, MD. Online here.
October 21-22, 2006: Autumn Wine Festival, Pemberton Park, Salisbury, MD. Online here.
Join the Fight
Volunteers, Donations, Partnerships and Fundraisers Needed
Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws needs your help to make Maryland's beer and wine laws better for consumers, Maryland's independent wineries and brewers. This fall we'll be hitting the festivals to build our grassroots network of supporters. We're also making plans to raise our issues in this year's elections. Won't you help us make it all happen?
Please consider sending MBBWL a donation through Paypal today!
If you donate $25 or more, you'll get a free Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws t-shirt.
In addition to donations, we are also looking for volunteers to exhibit at festivals, and we need wineries, breweries, and restaurants for partnerships and fundraisers. Please contact MBBWL Executive Director, Scott Ehlers, if you are interested in any of these opportunities.
