Why? Because the three tiered distribution system in the United States doesn’t work very well for smaller wineries whose output and/or reputation cannot compete very well against large, high demand brands. If a winery finds itself on the outside of the system, there are few options to selling their product except locally, which may not be feasible or profitable.

In an article today by Wine & Spirits Daily entitled “Why Amazon Quit: Is it Wholesalers?  it  got me thinking about why it is so very difficult to change the wine shipment laws in this country. Is it the wholesalers? Well … yes.. there is a monopoly established in which they benefit greatly. But it isn’t just the wholesalers.

As suggested in the article, there really are now many entrenched interests in keeping the status quo:

• state regulators
• control state executives
• public health advocates
• industry policy wonks
• anti alcohol organizations
• …to name a few

The reasoning: ”vested interests in  preserving a system they contend has worked well for 75 years”

To some this statement is true. But to many others the system works well only to a point: It does not support freedom of choice for law abiding wine enthusiasts, it harms an industry with thousands of smaller brands that could otherwise employ more people, and it often hinders interstate commerce.

Progress continues to be made, but the battle for freeing the grapes will not be short term.