Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

This is a memo Senator Joe Scarnati sent to all members of the Senate: In the near future I plan on re-introducing legislation which would allow Pennsylvania wine consumers the convenience of making purchases by internet, mail or telephone and having the product shipped directly to their homes. This legislation will be similar to Senate Bill 101 of last session. The Liquor Code currently allows for wine to be shipped directly to consumers' homes only from Pennsylvania wineries. A consumer who orders wine from an out-of-state entity must have the product shipped to their nearest Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) store for pickup. In the 2005 “Granholm” Case the United State Supreme Court ruled that allowing only in-state wineries to ship directly to consumers was a violation of the Federal Commerce Clause. This legislation will bring Pennsylvania law into compliance with this ruling and provide added convenience and selection for consumers. My legislation...

Wine Enthusiast magazine has named New York “Wine Region of the Year.” Citing the quality of New York wines, the tremendous growth of the industry, and improved business climate, the state was selected over Champagne, France; Chianti, Italy; and Sonoma, California. The award will be presented at the Wine Star Awards gala dinner on January 26 at the New York Public Library. Western New York is home to a number of wine trails, including Lake Erie Wine Country – the largest grape growing region east of the Rockies, which also includes five Pennsylvania wineries. Pictured, the Johnson Estate Winery in Westfield, NY. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947