Comments on: Shipping Homemade Wine: We did it!

By: liz

liz — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:27:31 +0000

I always say Olive Oil. Or Jelly. Fed Ex wouldn’t ship when I told the truth. I went to a packaging store, paid extra, and by-passed the hassle.
My experience has been some shippers say OK and some say no depending on the store, what kind of mood they are in, or if the boss is around. Totally random.

By: Marte

Marte — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:57:48 +0000

I just sent two bottles of my homemade Sauvignon Blanc from San Francisco, CA to friends in Omaha, NE. My first attempt was at FEDEX/KINKO’s. There, I happened to mention the box contained glass and was asked what it contained. I told them two bottles of homemade wine. They told my that it was FEDEX’s policy not to ship wine and when I asked who would I was told only a licensed liquor retailer could legally ship wine. I then went across the street to the UPS store and (using the don’t ask don’t tell approach) shipped my wine successfully to my friends.

By: Erroll

Erroll — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:34:18 +0000

The way I remember it, the United States Supreme Court ruled that states can’t treat in-state and out-of-state wineries differently. Until then lots of states allowed local wineries (only) to ship directly to consumers. That ruling triggered legislative battles in most states over whether and how wineries could direct-ship. Local wineries, out-of-state wineries, wholesalers, and retailers have all been involved. So everyone’s interests are represented. Except consumers and home winemakers.

I don’t think it occurs to anyone writing the laws, regulations, and policies that consumers in Washington might want to sample New York Riesling or that home winemakers might want to give or exchange their wine. Ok, I think I might be getting grumpy so I better stop now …

Erroll

By: John

John — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:06:19 +0000

There has to be a way to ship wines across state lines legally and without even the most occasional hitch; otherwise, how do the “Wine Of The Month” clubs do it all the time? This question has bothered me for some time, too. I am a member of openfermenter.org, and they have a wine “Secret Santa” thing they do every year. The bottle of wine shipped to me this past year arrived in excellent condition, but I have not received word on mine yet. Both were sent via FedEx. Take it for what it’s worth…

By: Avery

Avery — Mon, 19 May 2008 20:52:43 +0000

My father and I have been shipping beer back and forth for a couple of years. I know I have used the USPS before but probably brought the beer in already packaged and never mentioned what the contents were – had no idea it was against their policy.