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Direct Shipping Finds Niche With New York Wine Drinkers, Sellers

Posted on: Monday, 24 April 2006, 18:00 CDT

By Alan Wechsler, Times Union, Albany, N.Y.

Apr. 21--ALBANY -- The newest liquor licenses in New York have gone to a Mexican restaurant in Clifton Park, a Stewart's Shop in Waterford and 19 wineries in California.

Thanks to a change in state liquor law last summer, wineries from around the country are now able to send product to individual customers in New York.

While only a few local wine aficionados are buying into the idea, 310 out-of-state vineyards have signed on so far.

"We'd like to take care of our customers," said Pat Burns, who works at Foris Vineyards in southwestern Oregon. "There are residents of the state of New York who enjoy Foris wine, and we'd like to be able to service them."

The change went into effect Aug. 11. Previously, New York residents could not order wine from out of state -- at least not legally, although some say it still took place. (It was legal to have wine shipped here if, for instance, a New York resident was in California and bought a case while there).

Now, both UPS and FedEx are approved to ship to residents here. Wine parcels are marked "Adult Signature Required," and drivers are told to check the identification of anyone who looks under 21.

Some connoisseurs say the change has made it easier for them to get hard-to-find wines.

"I think it's a great idea," said Dominick Purnomo, sommelier at Yono's Restaurant in Albany. "The fact that people can get direct wine makes stuff more available to people."

Purnomo has ordered several cases of pinot noir from Merry Edwards Winery in California in the past few months. The vineyard specializes in pinot and sells only to restaurants -- at $400 a case.

"It's just a great pinot noir," he said. "It's something, as a sommelier, I have the pleasure of introducing people to."

Diane Friedman, a real estate broker in Voorheesville, keeps a wine cellar stocked with about 350 bottles. In years past, she has had wine shipped to her from California surreptitiously. Now, she orders cases of wines legally from California and elsewhere, as often as once a month.

"They should have done it years ago," she said. Friedman said she knew of other wine collectors who used to have packages shipped to friends in Massachusetts, where it was legal to do so.

Other local connoisseurs say ordering through the mail doesn't interest them. Dr. Joel Spiro, an Albany dermatologist with a 5,000-bottle collection at home, said he can get all he needs through local retailers.

The law is "more for someone who's traveled somewhere and wants to bring back a few bottles," he said.

According to the state Liquor Authority, the change last year created a reciprocal agreement with six states. Some, like California and Oregon, are known for their wine. Others, like Texas and North Dakota, are not. But just as New Yorkers can now order from these states, wine drinkers in these states can now order from New York wineries.

For vineyards, it's not easy to navigate the often byzantine shipping rules and tax requirements that vary from state to state. But many in the business say it's worth the hassles.

"We've gotten a lot more sales with out-of-state customers," said Veronica Sedda, a tasting-room employee at Rivendell Winery in New Paltz. "I think it's done a lot for New York state wines."

She said the winery has been shipping a lot of orders to customers in California, eager to try wines from a different state.

Meanwhile, local liquor store owners say they're not worried that the shipped business will cut into their store sales.

"You can't carry every possible wine," said David Rutland, owner of Sand Creek Wine and Liquor in Colonie.

"There's so many small vineyards. It makes it nicer for the individual or collector."

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Source: Times Union

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