Consumers are driving changes in how consumer products are bought and sold-- they want and expect to be able to purchase the wines they want in the manner of their choosing (e.g., via telephone, catalog and Internet).

And the U.S. Supreme Court, Federal Trade Commission, and many state legislators and alcohol regulators are supporting consumer choice in wine.

But rather than augmenting the three-tier system to satisfy consumer demand and complement a dynamic marketplace, wholesaler middlemen are aggressively supporting state-sanctioned monopolies in wine distribution. The Wine & Spirit Wholesalers of America's (WSWA) threat to winemakers has been, "ship the wine, do some time." Their well-funded lobby seeks to further restrict consumer access and choice by reversing direct shipping provisions, introducing new felony legislation, and placing arbitrary limitations on who can and cannot ship wine.

We believe that wholesaler middlemen should compete based on delivering service and value, not by creating felony laws and making threats of jail time.

Free the Grapes! supports augmenting, not replacing, the three-tier system with the controls and regulations necessary to respect local laws, to avoid underage access and to provide provisions to make tax payments. We think it's wrong that wholesalers are telling consumers which wines they can and cannot enjoy. America's 4,000+ wineries produce over 10,000 new wines each vintage, more wines than distributors or retailers can logistically can stock and sell. And less than 5% of wine production is ever likely to be shipped directly to consumers.

Free the Grapes! is energizing all lovers of the grape to contact their legislators and to sign-up to receive the Free the Grapes! email newsletter. We'll respect your privacy and contact you only with the necessary information, at the right time.