UncorkNJ

ANTI-DIRECT SHIPPING LETTER PRINTED IN THE DAILY RECORD

OPPONENTS OF DIRECT SHIPPING CONTINUE TO SPREAD FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT INCREASES IN UNDERAGE ACCESS TO WINE VIA THE INTERNET

 

NO EVIDENCE IN 38 STATES EXISTS TO SUPPORT THESE ALLEGATIONS

 

Here we go again, the campaign of spreading false-fears and misleading claims continues by the liquor lobby in its opposition to direct shipping.  A recent letter to the editor published by the DAILY RECORD says a change in NJ's law to permit direct shipping from small wineries would result in minors having increased access to wine sales over the internet.  No evidence exists in any of the 38 states which permit direct shipping to substantiate the claims made by the letter's author.

 

In August of this year, the PolitiFact column of the STAR-LEDGER, the state's leading newspaper, declared the underage access to wine claim to be exaggerated, and further stated underage access to wine via direct shipping is not, "as easy as a mouse-click." It was again suggested in the recent letter to the editor that teens are, "clicking their way to alcohol access." To read the PolitiFact column, please click here.

 

In fact, FedEx and UPS, who legally ship wine to consumers, are required to affix a label on the box clearly identifying the shipment contains wine, and the recipient of the shipment must provide a signature and identification indicating that they are of legal drinking age.  And, the shipper is prohibited from leaving the shipment at a residence without someone of legal drinking age to sign for it.  These same safeguards would be applied to shipments to New Jersey residents via regulation, following enactment of S-3172/A-4436.  Further, dozens of online wine retailers ship wine to NJ residents daily following this identical procedure without any problem.

 

This is yet another example of the false claims being raised by opponents of direct shipping, who are determined never to allow NJ wine consumers the ability to have wine from wineries shipped to their homes, even if NJ is the only state remaining who has not changed its law.  It is time for the NJ Legislature to side with NJ wine consumers and the wine industry and pass S-3172/A-4436.

 

UnCorkNJ is asking its thousands of supporters to take action today and ask Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver to post A-4436 for an Assembly committee consideration on January 5, and for a full Assembly vote on January 9.

 

We thank you for your past support and encourage you to spread the word to other wine consumers!

 

To read the DAILY RECORD letter to the editor, please click here.

S-3172/A-4436 WILL ENHANCE NEW JERSEY'S IMAGE NATIONWIDE

AWARD-WINNING GARDEN STATE WINES WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE VIA DIRECT SHIPPING TO CONSUMERS ACROSS THE NATION

 

S-3172/A-4436, legislation sponsored by Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Assemblyman John Burzichelli, Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski, and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley, provides the Legislature with an opportunity to enhance New Jersey's image around the country, and further establish the state as a major wine producer. New Jersey currently ranks seventh as a wine growing state, and the home to several award-winning vineyards.

 

The growth of the state's wine industry from just a handful of wineries a dozen years ago to over 50 today, is nothing short of remarkable. The state's wineries are regularly receiving top honors in regional, national, and international wine competitions, and yet, consumer access to these wines is still extremely limited. Many NJ wineries are located in rural areas, and do not produce enough wine per year to have relationships with wholesalers in New Jersey and other states. Unfortunately, the vast majority of NJ wineries are only able to sell their wine to the public at their winery, or through retail outlets and tasting rooms, and wine festivals held throughout the year. S-3172/A-4436 will allow millions of wine consumers in New Jersey and around the nation to have award-winning NJ wines shipped directly to their residences. Additionally, this important legislation will ensure the future of the NJ wine industry, stimulate agri-tourism, preserve farmland, create jobs and bring additional tax and fee revenue to the state.

 

38 states now allow for direct shipping of wine from wineries to residents of those states, Maryland became the latest state to change its law earlier this year. S-3172/A-4436 also addresses a recent court decision declaring NJ's retail wine outlets unconstitutional. The legislation will permit in-state and out-of-state wineries who produce 250,000 gallons of wine or less a year to have up to 18 retail wine outlets in the state, direct shipping will also be limited only to those in-state and out-of-state wineries who produce 250,000 gallons or less of wine annually.

 

Recently, the Asbury Park Press, a major South Jersey newspaper, published an article on the effort to pass S-3172/A-4436. The article quoted Senate President Sweeney, who said, "This is about our economy, about preserving farmland and creating jobs without spending tax dollars." "For the liquor lobby, it's about controlling an industry and refusing to let our wineries grow."

 

Time is short, let's keep up the effort! UnCorkNJ is asking its thousands of supporters to take action today and ask Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver to post A-4436 for an Assembly committee consideration on January 5, and for a full Assembly vote on January 9.

 

We thank you for your past support and encourage you to spread the word to other wine consumers!

 

To read the Asbury Park Press article, please click here.

NOTED INTERNATIONAL WINE PUBLICATION CALLS ATTENTION TO NJ EFFORT TO PERMIT DIRECT SHIPPING AND PRESERVE RETAIL WINE OUTLETS

SAYS TIME IS SHORT FOR NJ LEGISLATURE TO PASS S-3172/A-4436

 

Today, highly acclaimed wine magazine, the WINE SPECTATOR, published a major article on the effort to pass S-3172/A-4436, legislation to preserve the retail wine outlets operated by NJ wineries and change NJ's law to provide direct shipping of wine from small wineries to NJ residents. The article features Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Assemblyman John Burzichelli, and Garden State Wine Growers Association Chairman Ollie Tomasello, all major supporters of our legislative effort. The WINE SPECTATOR's article is recognition of New Jersey's importance as the nation's seventh largest wine growing state, and as a state that is producing increasing higher quality wines. UnCorkNJ agrees.

 

In fact, the growth of the state's wine industry from just a handful of wineries a dozen years ago to over 50 today, is nothing short of remarkable. The state's wineries are regularly receiving top honors in regional and national wine competitions. S-3172/A-4436 provides the NJ Legislature with an opportunity to elevate the state's image around the country, by allowing millions of Americans to have award-winning NJ wines shipped directly to their residences. Additionally, this important legislation will ensure the future of the NJ wine industry, stimulate agri-tourism, preserve farmland, create jobs and bring additional tax and fee revenue to the state.

 

Time is short, let's keep up the effort! UnCorkNJ is asking its thousands of supporters to take action today and ask Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver to post A-4436 for a vote in the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee on January 5, and for a full Assembly vote on January 9.

 

We thank you for your past support and encourage you to spread the word to other wine consumers!

 

To read today's WINE SPECTATOR article, please click here.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY TIMES EDITORIAL CALLS ON NJ ASSEMBLY TO TAKE ACTION THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON DIRECT SHIPPING/RETAIL WINE OUTLET ISSUE

EDITORIAL POINTS OUT THE NJ WINE INDUSTRY'S STRONG SUPPORT FOR S-3172/A-4436

 

Our effort continues to gain momentum! UnCorkNJ applauds the Gloucester County Times for their editorial today calling on the NJ Assembly to act this legislative session on the direct shipping/retail wine outlet issue. The editorial correctly points out the NJ wine industry's strong support for S-3172/A-4436, which will preserve the retail wine outlets operated by NJ wineries and changes NJ's law to provide direct shipping of wine from small wineries to NJ residents. This important legislation will ensure the future of the NJ wine industry, stimulate agri-tourism, preserve farmland, create jobs and bring additional tax and fee revenue to the state. S-3172/A-4436 is the bill of choice for NJ's consumers and wine growers.

 

Your support is having a major impact! NJ's legislators and newspapers are listening to the public! Hundreds of consumers from all over NJ, in every legislative district, are taking action daily to voice their support for S-3172/A-4436, legislation which will make NJ a more business and consumer friendly state.

 

UnCorkNJ is asking its thousands of supporters to continue to keep up the effort, and take action today and ask Assembly Speaker Oliver to post A-4436 for a vote in the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee on January 5, and a full Assembly vote on January 9.

 

We thank you for your past support and encourage you to once again take action now and spread the word to other wine consumers!

 

To read a copy of today's editorial, please click here.

A-4436, LEGISLATION TO SAVE NJ'S WINE INDUSTRY AND PERMIT DIRECT SHIPPING TO NJ WINE CONSUMERS WAS REFERRED TO THE ASSEMBLY REGULATORY OVERSIGHT AND GAMING COMMITTEE

A-4436, sponsored by Assemblyman John Burzichelli, Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley, which preserves the retail wine outlets operated by NJ wineries and changes NJ's law to provide direct shipping of wine from small wineries to NJ residents, has been referred to the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee. UnCorkNJ has sent a letter to Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver requesting that she consider posting A-4436 for a committee vote on Thursday, January 5, 2012, and a full Assembly vote on Monday, January 9, the last day of the legislative session. This important legislation will ensure the future of the NJ wine industry, stimulate agri-tourism, preserve farmland, create jobs and bring additional tax and fee revenue to the state.

 

Three weeks remain for the public to have its voice heard by the NJ Legislature. The liquor lobby and its special interest supporters continue to spread false and misleading claims, these same tactics were summarily dismissed by the legislatures in 38 other states, who sided with consumers and changed their laws to allow for direct shipping. Assembly members now need to hear from consumers about the importance of this legislation to NJ's wine industry and the state's economy.

 

Thanks to the thousands of email from NJ consumers in favor of S-3172, the Senate last week passed the bill with bi-partisan support, 23-13. UnCorkNJ again thanks all of the Senators, Democrat and Republican, who supported S-3172, and asks Assembly members to join their colleagues in the Senate, and reject the liquor lobby's campaign of misinformation. Consumers from all over NJ, in every legislative district, have taken action and voiced their support for making NJ a more business and consumer friendly state.

 

UnCorkNJ is calling on its thousands of supporters to keep up the effort, and take action today and ask Assembly Speaker Oliver to post A-4436 for a vote in the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee on January 5, and a full Assembly vote on January 9.

 

We thank you for your past support and encourage you to once again take action now and spread the word to other wine consumers!

NINE NJ REPUBLICAN STATE SENATORS SIDE WITH CONSUMERS TO VOTE YES LAST WEEK ON S-3172

UNCORKNJ CALLS ON THEIR ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN RUNNING MATES TO REJECT THE LIQUOR LOBBY AND SUPPORT A-4436

 

UnCorkNJ thanks the nine NJ Republican State Senators who said NO to the liquor lobby, and sided with consumers and the NJ wine industry by voting YES on S-3172. This legislation, and an identical Assembly bill, A-4436, sponsored by Assemblyman John Burzichelli, Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley, will preserve the retail wine outlets operated by NJ wineries, and permit direct shipping from small wineries to NJ residents. UnCorkNJ calls on the NJ Assembly Republican running mates of the nine Republican State Senators who voted YES on S-3172, to stand with consumers against the liquor lobby and support A-4436 as co-sponsors. This important legislation will ensure the future of the NJ wine industry, stimulate agri-tourism, preserve farmland, create jobs, and bring additional tax and fee revenue to the state.

 

Only three weeks remain to tell Assembly members why NJ should become the 39th state to allow for direct shipping of wine from wineries to NJ residents. The liquor lobby in its opposition to direct shipping is stopping at nothing to defeat the legislation. Despite all of the facts about the success of direct shipping in 38 states, the liquor lobby and their special interest friends continue to make false and misleading claims about the many benefits direct shipping will bring to NJ's wine industry and economy. Thanks to the thousands of email from NJ consumers in favor of S-3172, the Senate last week passed the bill, 23-13. It's now time to focus on the Assembly, whose members also need to hear from consumers about the urgency to pass A-4436, before the Legislature goes out of session on January 9.

 

UnCorkNJ is asking all of its thousands of supporters to continue the effort! Please take action today and ask Assembly Speaker Oliver to post A-4436 for a vote in the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee on January 5, and a full Assembly vote on January 9.

 

The nine NJ Republican State Senators who voted YES on S-3172 and their Assembly Republican running mates are:

 

Senator Diane Allen (R-7)

Split Republican/Democratic district

 

Senator Dawn Marie Addiego (R-8)

Assemblyman Scott Rudder (AsmRudder@njleg.org), Assemblywoman Gerry Nardello (AswNardello@njleg.org)

 

Senator Joe Kyrillos (R-13)

Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (AswHandlin@njleg.org), Assemblyman Sam Thompson (AsmThompson@njleg.org)

 

Senator Tom Kean, Jr. (R-21)

Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (AsmBramnick@njleg.org), Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (AswMunoz@njleg.org)

 

Senator Steven Oroho (R-24)

Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose (AswMcHose@njleg.org), Assemblyman Gary Chiusano (AsmChiusano@njleg.org)

 

Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25)

Assemblyman Anthony Bucco (AsmBucco@njleg.org), Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll (AsmCarroll@njleg.org)

 

Senator Robert Singer (R-30)

Assemblyman Joe Malone (AsmMalone@njleg.org), Assemblyman Ron Dancer (AsmDancer@njleg.org)

 

Senator Gerald Cardinale (R-39)

Assemblywoman Charlotte Vandervalk (AswVandervalk@njleg.org), Assemblyman Robert Schroeder (AsmSchroeder@njleg.org)

 

Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-40)

Assemblyman Scott Rumana (AsmRumana@njleg.org), Assemblyman David Russo (AsmRusso@njleg.org)

 

Additionally, it is important Republican Assembly members: John Amodeo (R-2) (AsmAmodeo@njleg.org), Vince Polistina (R-2) (AsmPolistina@njleg.org), Domenick DiCicco (R-4) (AsmDiCicco@njleg.org), James Holzapfel (R-10) (AsmHolzapfel@njleg.org), David Wolfe (R-10) (AsmWolfe@njleg.org), Caroline Casagrande (R-12) (AswCasagrande@njleg.org), and Declan O'Scanlon (R-12) (AsmOScanlon@njleg.org) hear from wine consumers.

 

You can find the district office phone numbers for the above Assembly members by clicking here. Please urge them through emails and phone calls to support A-4436.

 

We thank you for your past support and encourage you to once again take action now and spread the word to other wine consumers!

ASSEMBLY MEMBERS BURZICHELLI, WISNIEWSKI AND RILEY INTRODUCE A-4436, IDENTICAL TO SENATE PRESIDENT SWEENEY'S BILL S-3172

A-4436/S-3172 WILL SAVE NJ'S WINE INDUSTRY AND PERMIT DIRECT SHIPPING TO NJ WINE CONSUMERS

 

TAKE ACTION NOW AND URGE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER OLIVER TO POST A-4436 FOR A VOTE ON JANUARY 9

 

UnCorkNJ thanks Assemblyman John Burzichelli, Deputy Speaker John Wisniewski, and Assemblywoman Celeste Riley for saying NO to the liquor lobby, and standing with consumers by introducing A-4436, identical legislation to Senate President Sweeney's bill, S-3172, which was passed by the Senate yesterday by a vote of 23-13. A-4436 will preserve New Jersey's retail wine outlets and allow for direct shipping of wine from small wineries to New Jersey residents. This legislation will ensure the future of the NJ wine industry, stimulate agri-tourism, preserve farmland, create jobs, and bring additional tax and fee revenue to the state.

 

Its time for the Assembly to join the Senate in approving A-4436 on Monday, January 9, the last day of the current legislative session. Three weeks remain to communicate with Assembly members about the importance of this legislation to finally give NJ residents the same ability as millions of other Americans in 38 states to have wine shipped from wineries to their residences. It is critical for Assembly members to hear from the wine consuming public about the need to pass this legislation on January 9.

 

The liquor lobby is working every day to kill this legislation and deny consumers the ability to have wine shipped from wineries to their residences. The liquor lobby in its opposition to direct shipping continues to make false and misleading claims. Assembly members are listening to the public, and UnCorkNJ is asking all of its thousands of supporters to continue the effort one last time! Please take action today and ask Assembly Speaker Oliver to post A-4436 for a vote on January 9!

 

We thank you for your past support and encourage you to once again take action now and spread the word to other wine consumers!

DIRECT SHIPPING/RETAIL WINE OUTLET LEGISLATION PASSES NJ STATE SENTATE, 23-13

MAJOR VICTORY FOR NJ CONSUMERS AND WINE INDUSTRY

 

SENATORS CREDIT PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE LEGISLATION

 

YOUR EFFORTS CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESSFUL EFFORT

ATTENTION NOW TURNS TO THE ASSEMBLY!

 

Thanks to the tireless efforts and thousands of letters from NJ wine consumers in support of Senate President Sweeney's legislation, the State Senate acted this afternoon to pass S-3172, which will preserve the retail wine outlets operated by NJ wineries and permit direct shipping from small wineries to NJ residents.

 

UnCorkNJ thanks Senate President Steve Sweeney for his leadership and unwavering support for the legislation. We would also like to thank the 22 other senators who stood up to the liquor lobby and rejected their false and misleading claims about the bill. Today's vote is a major victory for the state's consumers and wine growers. "The wine industry in New Jersey is an up and coming success story that could really drive economic growth here in the state," said Senate President Sweeney following today's vote. "New Jersey wineries are by and large considered among the best in the country, but consumer access to these wines is still severely limited. This legislation will change all of that."

 

Your commitment to this effort was critical to the successful vote today. Consumers from every legislative district sent a strong message to NJ's state senators about the many benefits of this bill. S-3172 will ensure the future of the NJ wine industry, stimulate agri-tourism, preserve farmland, create jobs, and bring additional tax and fee revenue to the state.

 

Now the focus turns to the Assembly. UnCorkNJ urges Assembly Speaker Oliver to post S-3172 for a vote on January 9, the last day of the legislative session. UnCorkNJ is asking all of its thousands of supporters to continue the fight to make NJ the 39th state to allow for direct shipping. We have three weeks to communicate with Assembly members about the need for this legislation.

 

Please take action today and ask Assembly Speaker Oliver to post S-3172 for a vote on January 9.

 

We thank you for your past support and encourage you to once again take action now and spread the word to other wine consumers!

STATE SENATE TO VOTE TOMORROW ON DIRECT SHIPPING LEGISLATION, S-3172

LIQUOR LOBBY IS DETERMINED TO KILL THE BILL AT ALL COSTS

 

NOW IS THE TIME FOR NJ CONSUMERS TO CONTACT THEIR SENATORS AND URGE THEM TO VOTE YES

 

Senate President Steve Sweeney's legislation, which is now bill number S-3172, is scheduled to be voted on by the full Senate tomorrow afternoon. S-3172 will preserve NJ's retail wine outlets and allow for limited direct shipping from wineries to NJ residents. If passed, S-3172 will go to the Assembly for consideration, and is likely to be voted on before the Assembly adjourns on January 9, 2012. Despite the many concessions made by the NJ wine industry regarding the number of retail wine outlets and limiting direct shipping only to wineries which produce less than 250,000 gallons of wine annually, the state's liquor lobby continues its opposition with a campaign of false and misleading claims about the impact of S-3172 on wine retailers and wholesalers.

 

Over the past few weeks, the NJ consumers have voiced their overwhelming support of S-3172, and have sent thousands of letters to legislators. It is critical for senators to continue to hear from the wine consuming public about the need to pass this legislation tomorrow!

 

We need one final push in the Senate! Now is the time to reach out to your senators and urge them to support this legislation and finally give NJ residents the same ability as millions of other Americans in 38 states to have wine shipped from wineries to their residences. S-3172 will ensure the future of the NJ wine industry, stimulate agri-tourism, preserve farmland, create jobs, and bring additional tax and fee revenue to the state. This is the bill of choice for NJ consumers and wine growers.

 

UnCorkNJ is calling on all of its thousands of supporters to take action today and urge your State Senator to reject the liquor lobby, and to listen to the public and vote YES on S-3172.

 

We need to keep up the effort, the liquor lobby is determined to kill S-3172, now is the time for the public to voice its support for this important consumer legislation!

S-2782 TO BE VOTED ON BY SENATE ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON

UNCORKNJ THANKS SENATE PRESIDENT SWEENEY FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND STRONG SUPPORT FOR NJ'S WINERIES AND CONSUMERS

 

URGE YOUR SENATOR TO REJECT THE LIQUOR LOBBY AND VOTE YES ON S-2782

 

LET YOUR SENATOR KNOW YOU SUPPORT NJ'S WINE INDUSTRY AND DIRECT SHIPPING BY COMING TO THE STATE HOUSE ON THURSDAY

 

Only two days to go until the New Jersey State Senate votes on legislation to save the NJ wine industry and permit direct shipping from small wineries to NJ residents!

 

Senate President Steve Sweeney is the sponsor of S-2782, which preserves the retail outlets operated by NJ wineries and changes NJ's law to provide for direct shipping of wine from small wineries to NJ residents. This legislation will ensure the future of the NJ wine industry, stimulate agri-tourism, preserve farmland, create jobs, and bring additional tax and fee revenue to the state. S-2782 is the bill of choice for NJ consumers and wine growers.

 

S-2782 is scheduled to receive a final vote by the NJ State Senate at 1:00 p.m. this Thursday. Now is the time to reach out to your senators and urge them to support this legislation and finally give NJ residents the same ability as millions of other Americans in 38 states to have wine shipped from wineries to their residences. It is critical for senators to hear from the wine consuming public about the need to pass this legislation on Thursday!

 

UnCorkNJ is calling on all of its thousands of supporters to take action today and urge your State Senator to reject the liquor lobby, and to listen to the public and vote YES on S-2782. Please take a moment and click here to send email letters to Governor Christie, the senate leadership, and your own senator.

 

In addition to taking action now, show your support for this legislation by attending the voting session at the State House in Trenton, which is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2011. While you are at the State House, urge your State Senator to listen to the public and vote YES on S-2782.

 

For directions to the State House, and to find your State Senator, please click here.

 

We thank you for your past support and encourage you to once again take action today, and spread the word to other wine consumers! We need to keep up the effort, the liquor lobby is determined to kill S-2782, now is the time for the public to voice its support for this important consumer legislation. We are almost there, direct shipping can come to NJ this year!