>NJ wine export issue forced by federal court
A year ago, a federal appeals court effectively ruled that New Jersey wineries may not sell from their own retail outlets and tasting rooms because out-of-state wine producers could not do the same in the Garden State.
Thus ignited the latest chapter in the dispute over direct shipping of wines.
In response to the court decision, state Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney, D-Gloucester, drafted legislation (S3172) to allow in-state and out-of-state wineries to ship directly to consumers, and to operate retail outlets in New Jersey . His goals are to give Garden State wineries that do not produce enough wine to attract wholesalers another avenue for sales, as well as to boost agriculture and support so-called agri-tourism. (Clurfeild, Gannett)
