There’s some good news out of Trenton for wine drinkers this morning. Assembly Democratic legislation to permit direct shipping by New Jersey wineries to customers’ doors, has been signed into law. The new law, sponsored by John Burzichelli, John Wisniewski and Celeste Riley, which was approved 51-18-4 by the Assembly last week, revises the statutes governing the sale and distribution of products by New Jersey wineries and creates a new out-of-state winery license governing New Jersey sales by wineries licensed elsewhere.

“This law balances the modern needs of our wine industry with the need of liquor stores and distributors and positions both for even more economic, job-creating success,” said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem). “This is pro-consumer and pro-business, and it ensures our blossoming wine industry will be competitive and modern. It’s a common sense approach.”

“This law is good news for consumers and businesses alike,” said Wisniewski (D-Middlesex). “It’s a carefully crafted plan that ensures our wine industry can become a key economic engine for our state while protecting the local liquor stores and the many jobs they provide our state. It’s a long overdue plan to modernize our laws to meet the reality of how consumers now shop.”

“Consumers can purchase just about anything these days through shipping,” said Riley (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “Wine, as long as it’s as carefully regulated as this law will do, should be no different. Our current laws are holding our wine industry back and ensuring they remain less competitive with wineries in other states, and that must change for the better.” TLS.