Indy Wine Shipping Law Unconstitutional

Filed in archive Wine Laws on August 31, 2007

Wineries across the U.S. are applauding the judge who this week ruled that portions of an Indiana law regulating wine sales are unconstitutional. The law prohibits most out-of-state wineries from shipping directly to Indiana consumers. However, Chateau Grand Traverse, a winery out of neighboring Michigan, and a group of consumers challenge the law.

From The Indy Channel:

The judge decided that the law discriminated against out-of-state wineries, noting that many states - including the three states that account for 90 percent of U.S. noncarbonated wine - automatically give wholesaling privileges to their wineries. . .

The judge said Indiana's law violated the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution, and his order stops the state from enforcing the rules he declared to be unconstitutional. . .

"You can't allow wineries in one state to have an advantage over wineries in another state," said Ed O'Keefe, CEO and founder of Chateau Grand Traverse. "It's not right."

This is great news not only for the wineries, but also residents of Indiana who can now purchase wines with greater ease.