Jan 8, 2008
Some of the most important work I’ve done over the past year has been with the Specialty Wine Retailers Association where I began acting as executive director in January 2007. In that year I’ve had the chance to testify in a number of states on the issue of direct shipping, work with some amazingly talented folks and even bear the brunt of some of the wholesalers’ more nasty and snide remarks. However, a good deal of that time was spent…
Jan 7, 2008
In addition to being in the business of taking enormous amounts of venture capital, as well as selling wine on-line, Wine.com now has apparently set up a division within its company that I suspect is called: "The Department of Online Wine Policemen. As was pointed out by Rich Cartiere at the Wine Market Report and made available HERE and by Alder at Vinography, Wine.com has begun ordering wine from out of state retailers and having it shipped to Wine.com in…
Dec 12, 2007
Inspired by Paul Gregutt’s excellent story on the meaning of wine terms, I began fantasizing about being named the American Wine Czar and being given complete control over wine regulations in the United States. I’ve fantasized about this before but given the wonderful fantasy it is, the topic deserves an update. My first set of acts as the American Wine Czar are: THE OLD VINE" REGULATIONAny wine produced in the United States that carries the term "Old Vine" or "Ancient…
Oct 31, 2007
"It’s just a matter of time before we all end up in court"—Mike Wittenwyler, Attorney for Wisconsin Wine & Spirit Distributors What would Mike and the Wisconsin wine and spirit distributors do without me? Luckily, I’m on job and can explain in simple terms how they and the state of Wisconsin can avoid ending up in court. But first some background. In Wisconsin it was legal for Wisconsin wineries to sell and deliver wine directly to retailers. they were not…
Oct 24, 2007
The number of blogs on the internet that cover the issue of direct shipping and consumers rights and shipping regulations is few and far between. There is the blog you are reading, the ShipCompliant Blog and Inertia’s REthink blog. NOW THERE IS A NEW ONE….dedicated to covering this issue particularly from the perspective of retailer-to-consumer shipping, but delving into the world of wine shipping issues on a daily basis. WINE WITHOUT BORDERS is the new blog created by the Specialty…