State's alcohol laws to change

The changes affect wine shipments for individuals inside and outside the state, as well as permitting additional wine and beer sales at the Kansas State Fair.

The House voted 87-35 in favor of the bill, which included a compromise shipment plan favored by various players in the state's liquor industry.

Legislators had sought to allow wine shipments without abolishing the states' present three-step liquor distribution system, which includes distributors and wholesalers.

The Senate passed the bill on a 36-2 vote.

Under the legislation, customers in the state would be able to order wines directly from in-state or out-of-state producers and have them shipped to their local liquor store, where they could then be picked up.

McLeland [Rep. Joe McLeland, D-Wichita] said the store could charge a fee of up to $5 per shipment.

State residents also could ship wines they bought in person from a winery back to their homes.

Also benefiting under the proposal were the state's farm wineries, who could now ship to out-of-state buyers, which is prohibited under current law.

Rep. Josh Svaty, D-Ellsworth said that would help the wineries because most of their sales go to customers from outside the sate.

"They're a fledgling industry, but they're really growing," Svaty said. "they have the potential to see some big expansion."

Another provision tucked into the proposal is permitting "doggy bags" for wines.  The change makes it legal for citizens to transport left-over wine that they've purchased from a restaurant in a sealed container.

However. Sen. Pete Brungardt, R-Salina, pointed out that federal regulation would require that the bags be kept in the backseats of vehicles.

The bill passed despite opposition from Rep. Jan Pauls, D-Hutchinson, who wanted lawmakers to remove the change allowing more alcohol t at the fair.

Fair officials had requested that vendors be allowed to sell wine and "strong" beer during the 10-day event in order to have a wine garden and showcase the state's microbreweries.

                                      (end of Harris News Service story)

yes, yes, yes!  We are excited and pleased to know that soon, laws that have prohibited wine shipment to our customers will be changing, but the law has yet to be signed.  This is very new news (less than 24 hours, as this is being written) and we have already starting sorting through the text of the bill so we all understand exactly what it says and how it will change how we satisfy the law and our customers at the same time.  Watch this site closely in the next few weeks, and we will keep you informed.  If you aren't yet signed up for our newsletter, click here and receive the latest the quickest!

There is a long list of people we need to thank for making this happen.  The list starts with you, our customers, ends with the tireless efforts of members of the Kansas Grape Growers and Winemakers Association, led by KGGWA lobby and Smoky Hill Winery owner, Norm Jennings, and is filled with the Kansas legislators from the House and Senate that spent hundreds of hours working, re-working, searching and researching to make a bill that will ensure the continued growth and success of the Kansas wine industry.  Cheers!