The Free the Grapes trade group seeking to allow wine shipments into Delaware is asking supporters to contact members of a House committee and show up for a hearing next week.
Delaware is one of only six states that still prohibit winery-to-consumer shipments. Direct wine shipping bills have been introduced before the Delaware General Assembly for a decade, but each has failed to make it out of committee.
Opposition has come from various elements of the state’s wine and liquor distribution and sales system.
“House Bill 165 is a carryover from 2017 and would, if passed, replace Delaware’s archaic ban on winery direct shipments with language proven successful in the majority of U.S. states,” said Jeremy Benson, executive director of Free the Grapes, a national movement of consumers, wineries and retailers. “In its current form, the bill is not ideal because it would ban direct-to-consumer shipment of wines already for sale in Delaware. But we are hoping it would be amended and improved on the House floor. First, though, HB 165 needs to get out of the Administration Committee and to do that we need wine enthusiasts to contact the committee’s five members.”
| The following is more information on the hearing
WHEN: Wednesday, April 25 at 2:30 pm before the House Administration Committee |
| WHERE: House Majority Caucus Room (Room H130), 1st Floor Legislative Hall: 411 Legislative Avenue, Dover, DE 19901 |
| DETAILS: Speakers are limited to five minutes and should bring 10 copies of their testimony. For inclusion in the meeting packet given to legislators, written testimony should be submitted one day before the hearing to Committee Chair Valerie Longhurst at Valerie.Longhurst@state.de.us. For specific questions about the hearing, call (302) 744-4531. Parking is available adjacent to Legislative Hall. A valid ID is required to enter the building. |
| Email or Call the House Administration Committee
Delaware’s wine shipment supporters are also asked to email or call the five members of the House Administration Committee. Email addresses and phone numbers can be found here. https://bit.ly/2viH9sR |
