Georgians
could order as many as 12 cases a year of wine directly from wineries
over the Internet or telephone, under legislation that won final
approval Monday.
The measure, aimed at helping Georgia's wineries sell their products
to more consumers, also will give Georgians access to wines from across
the country that are not carried in local grocery and liquor stores.
"We have received literally thousands of e-mails from constituents
who are consumers who want to do what is practiced in 37 other states,"
said Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford), who carried the bill in the
Senate. "Georgians are overwhelmingly asking to be allowed greater
consumer access."
The Internet measure now heads to Gov. Sonny Perdue for his
signature. Perdue, a Christian conservative who does not drink, has all
but promised to veto a bill allowing Sunday package sales if it passes.
Perdue has not stated an opinion on the Internet wine bill.
The Christian Coalition, which is fighting the Sunday sales bill,
did not oppose the Internet bill and will not ask Perdue to veto it.
"At the end of the day, you only have so much firepower," said Jim
Beck, head of the state's Christian Coalition. "We'll focus on
something we think matters. We're not going to be pressing the governor
to do anything on this bill."
More than 50,000 Georgians have signed an online petition for the
Sunday package sales bill. But it has been stalled in the same Senate
that voted 40-6 in support of Internet wine sales on Monday. Wineries
are allowed to sell their products on Sundays.
Supporters of the Internet measure —- House Bill 1061 —- say it will
give a boost to Georgia's wine industry, which is centered in North
Georgia.
"Obviously, we are very pleased it has cleared both the House and
Senate," said Steve Gibson, who heads Habersham Winery near Helen. "We
think it will really help our small farm wineries."
Under current law, Georgians who visit a winery can ship as much as
five cases of wine home. But they can't order it from the comfort of
their home.
Similarly, Georgia wineries can't ship wine to customers unless they show up at the winery to buy it.
Supporters say direct shipments to customers from the country's more than 4,000 wineries are legal in 37 states.
In the past, the state's liquor industry has opposed direct
shipping, saying it would be tough for the state to collect taxes on
sales and that the wine could wind up in the hands of minors.
Supporters say that under the bill, purchasers would have to prove
they are at least 21, probably using online verification systems
currently available.
In addition, the businesses delivering the wine would have to get a signature and check identification.
Gibson said there is little evidence that direct shipping of wine has caused a problem with underage drinking in other states.
The Senate also gave final approval Monday to legislation allowing wineries with tasting rooms to serve beer and liquor.
Gibson said the legislation —- House Bill 393 —- will help winery
owners because their facilities are often used for other events, such
as wedding receptions.
Under current law, wineries can only offer customers the wines they make.
The bill also would allow restaurants owned by wineries to serve alcoholic beverages other than the wines they make.
"I think this kind of levels the playing field for everyone," he said.
