N.J. Wineries Can Now Direct Ship to Customers

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued on Monday by the Garden State Wine Growers Association. Terhune Orchards & Winery in Lawrence Township belongs to the association. 

The Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA), which represents 34 winery owners in New Jersey, today ushered in an historic era for their industry with the launch of direct shipping of wine from wineries to homes throughout the state.

Starting today, New Jersey wineries can now take orders over the internet and phone and ship their product directly to the homes of New Jersey consumers thanks to bi-partisan legislation that was passed in January and signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie on Jan. 17. 

“This is truly an historic day that was a long time coming, but thanks to the tireless efforts of legislators to support our industry, we can now begin a period that will allow our wineries to reach a broader audience and expose our award-winning wines to consumers throughout the state and country,” said Ollie Tomasello, Chairman of the Garden State Wine Growers Association and owner of Plagido’s Winery in Hammonton.

New Jersey wineries that become licensed in the 38 other states that allow direct shipping will eventually be able to ship out-of-state to consumers.  Out-of-state wineries that produce less than 250,000 gallons of wine each year will also be allowed to ship wine directly the New Jersey homes, once they are approved for licenses.  

In a statement issued this afternoon, Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa commented on the launch of direct shipping:

“We are pleased to finally put to an end the nearly decade-long debate over direct shipment of wine,” Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa said. “New Jersey residents will now have another convenient way to purchase the excellent wines offered by our many fine Garden State wineries, as well as wineries throughout the country.”

Although direct shipping commences today, consumers should contact individual wineries to check on the process they have in place to facilitate orders.

Basic elements of the new direct shipping law are:

• Beginning today, any New Jersey winery can ship up to 12 cases per year to any state resident 21 years of age or older.
• Any New Jersey winery, if it chooses to do so, may apply for a direct shipping license in any of the 38 other direct shipping permissible states.  License permitting, NJ wineries may also directly ship up to 12 cases per year to an out-of-state resident 21 years of age or older.
• Applications and instructions are now available with the NJ Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and the Division of Taxation for an out-of-state small winery to directly ship to up to 12 cases per year to NJ resident 21 years of age or older.

“The GSWGA is grateful to all the legislators that worked tirelessly to support our industry and pass this needed legislation, especially bill sponsors Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Assemblyman John Burzichelli, Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski, Assemblywoman Celeste Riley and Assemblyman Ronald Dancer,” added Tomasello.

The legislation not only ushered in direct shipping, but it helped the state preserve vital farmland and remedied the concerns of a Federal Court ruling in December, 2010 that effectively ruled that New Jersey wineries were operating in an unconstitutional manner by not allowing out-of-state wineries to operate retail outlets and tasting rooms in the state.  Failure to act on this could have meant the closure of retail outlets and tasting rooms in New Jersey which could effectively close many of the state’s wineries.