Dear __________,

I'm writing in support of the Maryland wine industry, in their efforts to keep their ability to sell to retail stores and restaurants.

Based on allegations in an lawsuit suit challenging Maryland's ban on direct shipment of wine, the Comptroller is ordering the suspension of parts of Maryland law that are essential to starting and a operating a winery in Maryland.

No winery in Maryland can be started or grow without the ability to sell directly to restaurants, retailers, and consumers who come to the winery. Of Maryland’s 22 wineries, only four distribute their product through wholesalers – due to economics, as well as marketability. Eighteen rely solely upon their ability to sell directly to retailers, restaurants and consumers who come to the winery in order to start their business and make it grow.

If small wineries are forced to use wholesalers, they will go out of business. Wineries need to be able to market and sell their products directly to retail wine stores and restaurants -- to build their brand and market.

Legislation has been introduced by Senator Thomas "Mac" Middleton (SB812) and Delegate Virginia Clagett (HB1122)which will modify Maryland Law in a way that is least disruptive to the current “three tier system” (manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer). This legislation will allow out-of-state wineries as well as in-state wineries to deliver their product directly themselves or by their employees to restaurants and retailers. This ability, if allowed equally to both in-state and out-of-state wineries, would end any alleged discriminatory effect of Maryland’s laws about wineries.

Please support this legislation – it will save small wineries and the many commercial grape growers who rely on them to purchase their Maryland-grown grapes.

If wineries are to continue to be an integral part of Maryland's rural economy, encouraging economic growth and tourism, the legislature must act this session to preserve wineries’ ability to wholesale their own wines.

Sincerely,