Delaware Business Blog

U.S. Supreme Courts rules in favor of wineries

Free markets.
I can’t think of a more appropriate thing to get me out of bed and back into the blog.
By now I’m sure that all of you wine lovers and constitution buffs have heard the good news.
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that State governments can’t prohibit residents from ordering their favorite vintage directly from out-of-state wineries.
I for one am delighted.
Not necessarily because I am a big fan of 2001 California Cabernets (though I am), and not necessarily because I want the Federal Government to intervene in the matters of State rights (because I don’t), but simply because like some good old fashioned market place competition.
Quite frankly, I think it is good for business.

5 thoughts on “U.S. Supreme Courts rules in favor of wineries

  1. Larry

    Having, so far, labored through only a few of the 60 some pages of the Opinion (including Dissenting Opinions), I’m not sure that is said what you have been told that it says. In practical terms, it might not make a difference. But, what I believe it is saying is that if a State is going to allow direct delivery of wines, it cannot discriminate against out-of-state wineries. This is different from saying that they must allow direct delivery of wines. I hope to finish the reading of the Opinions later this week. If I find something different, I will let you know.

  2. Russell Rozanski Post author

    Good point Larry. That major detail seems buried in all the hype.
    But the cork has been “popped” so to speak, right?
    Isnt it possible that this new legislation will lend momentum towards efforts towards
    ending bans on online wine sales in general? Money is a powerful motivator, and now there is
    a US Supreme Court sanctioned even playing field.

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