Video: Small Wineries Upset About New Law

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Amherst Co., VA – For anyone who enjoys a glass of wine with dinner or celebrations–our part of the state has a lot to offer.  But it wasn’t always that way.  In the 1980’s Virginia relaxed distribution rules, making it easier for small, local vineyards to compete.  Now, with another law, they’re taking it all back.

Some local businesses could actually close down.  That’s what some of them seem to think.  In ten years, the number of independent vineyards in Virginia grew from six to more than 100.  The next ten years may not be so easy.

Richard Hanson, Rebec Vineyards – „When somebody says, ‘That’s the best wine I’ve ever tasted,’ I really flip–you know?  My head gets ten times as big as it was.  Compared to the California wineries, we are miniscule.  We’re nothing.“

Comparatively, that’s true.  But here in Central Virginia, the Rebec Vineyards are far from „nothing.“  They put out 5,000 gallons of wine every year.  And they’re happy to tell you about it.

Hanson – „The type of product we put out is the finest wine on the market today.  If you don’t believe it, come on and taste it.“

So far, that’s been easy to do.  Rebec wines were sold at major grocery stores and restaurants across the Commonwealth.  That changed with House Bill 601.  It says every winery, even the smallest, needs a distributor.  It was written to make state law match a 2005 Supreme Court ruling.

Del. Shannon Valentine, (D) 23rd District – „This was not a perfect solution, but it did allow everyone to operate legally in the state of Virginia.“

But, it makes it that much harder on people like Richard Hanson, who’ve been selling wine independently for two decades.

Hanson – „We could fill the order, right here.  And sell them at a wholesale price.“

Hanson says, for a vineyard so small, it’s not practical or affordable to pay distributor.  And, that means, sales are limited to the people who actually stop by the vineyard in person.

Hanson – „I think it’s unfair.  I think it’s stupid and I think the public, if they knew about it, really would be up in arms.“

Richard Hanson says he’ll pull all Rebec wines from grocery stores and restaurants because of the new law.  That’ll effect about 10-15 percent of his total sales.

Source: wset.com