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Illinois wineries get a little sales help
Wineries
can now ship direct to residences
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[October 04, 2007]
SPRINGFIELD -- Surrounded by distillers and vineyard and winery
owners and operators, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich took steps Wednesday
to help Illinois wineries continue to expand. The governor signed a
new law that will allow winemakers to ship wine directly to
residents of Illinois who are over the age of 21. House Bill 429,
sponsored by state Rep. Edward Acevedo, D-Chicago, and state Sen.
Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, represents an agreement between Illinois
wineries and liquor distributors concerning the direct shipment of
wine to consumers.
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"Illinois has a vibrant and growing wine industry, which is
quickly becoming an integral part of the state's culture, as well as
putting more and more people to work," said Blagojevich. "This
legislation builds on our ongoing efforts to promote Illinois
wineries, and allows them to continue to expand and remain
competitive."
House Bill 429
allows Illinois wineries to sell a limited supply of their product
directly to consumers, with distributors handling the rest.
Winemakers will be allowed to sell up to 12 cases of wine a year
directly to those of legal age in Illinois. The bill includes
several safety precautions to ensure wine recipients are of legal
age, including requiring the delivery person to verify the
recipient's age and identity by checking his or her identification.
The Illinois Liquor Control Commission will also conduct compliance
operations to ensure wine shippers are following the law.
"This bill shows that the state of Illinois recognizes the
importance of the wine industry to our economy," said Lainie Krozel,
acting executive director of the Liquor Control Commission. "Grapes
grow from Genoa up north to Cobden in southern Illinois, and this
legislation will bring these vineyards continued prosperity."
The bill requires the Illinois Liquor Control Commission to
license and regulate wine shippers and report to the General
Assembly every two years on the impact of wine shipping on Illinois.
A wine shipper's license will cost between $250 and $1,000,
depending on the size of the winemaker's business. Approved wine
shippers must report how much wine they are shipping to Illinois
residents and pay tax on wine shipped in the same fashion that wine
manufacturers are taxed. Previously, direct wine shipments were
allowed only in states that had reciprocity with Illinois.
"With this legislation, Illinois' wineries and liquor
distributors were able to come together with the state to advance
our growing wine industry," said Silverstein, bill sponsor in the
Senate. "My thanks to Governor Blagojevich and all of our statewide
partners."
"This bill represents a long journey to reach a compromise that
will help move our young industry forward," said Paul Renzaglia,
president of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association.
"Illinois consumers can now continue to buy their favorite wines
from wineries across the country, which are now placed on equal
footing in the state's soaring market for quality wine."
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 "We would like to thank the governor and the legislature for
passing this bill that we think will help this bourgeoning
industry," said Paul and Diane Hahn of the Mackinaw Valley Vineyard.
"We think this solution is first of all good for consumers, and it
has the added benefit of creating jobs and economic activity
throughout the state of Illinois. I think it's a real shot in the
arm for agritourism."
Featuring more than 68 wineries and approximately 450 grape
growers across the state, the Illinois wine industry produces
500,000 gallons of wine per year, creates an annual economic impact
of more than $253 million and supports 2,300 jobs. September marked
the state's third annual Illinois Wine Month, when wineries across
the state went all-out to offer travelers a memorable experience
with festivals, tastings, grape stomps and unique opportunities to
meet with and learn from Illinois vintners. Illinois Wine Month was
established in 2005 by Blagojevich to recognize and enhance the
growing Illinois wine industry.
The Illinois Bureau of Tourism promotes the Illinois wine
industry through a comprehensive public relations and marketing
effort to highlight the state's wineries and draw additional
visitors to the state. Efforts include a renewed Web presence at
www.illinoiswine.com, a
marketing brochure, and print advertisements in Illinois and
neighboring states featuring the wine industry as a destination
driver in three-day packages. The purpose of these efforts is to
continue to build media and consumer awareness of Illinois as a
legitimate wine-producing state and to continue to drive visitors to
Illinois wineries.
To support the state's growing number of vintners, the Illinois
Department of Agriculture provides the grape and wine industry with
grants to hire a viticulturist and an enologist. The viticulturist
offers expert advice on growing grapes in the state and insight on
how to keep the vines healthy through various weather conditions.
The enologist helps wineries perfect their winemaking.
House Bill 429 goes into effect June 1, 2008.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
