A Disappointing Outcome for Wine-Loving Consumers in The First State
In June 2025, we shared the news that the Delaware legislature was voting on a bill regarding winery-to-consumer direct shipping. Delaware remains one of only two states that ban this kind of shipping, and it has been a subject of much discussion for years among legislators and a source of frustration for wine-loving consumers in Delaware. As of now, the bill is sitting with the Governor of Delaware to be signed. This marks a disappointing end to our campaign to voice objection to this bill, which is not in the best interests of consumer choice and winery business interests alike.
Why It's A Problem
HB 187 (Smith) raises serious concerns. It is positioned as a bill that will allow wine shipping to Delawareans, but has so many limitations as to be completely unworkable for direct shipping in practice. This bill will prohibit shipment of wine currently on “the list” of wine represented by a Delaware wholesaler, and thus also excludes shipping by small wineries owned by larger parent wine companies. These limits are a poison pill in the bill that are supported by wholesalers who are against direct shipping. Legislators in all but four states with wine shipping laws have considered, and soundly rejected, similar limitations.
Delaware News Journal has also reported on this topic and offers a similar analysis - “Delaware’s wine shipping bill waits to be signed by Gov. Meyer, but is it the right move?”
Concern For Consumer Choice in Direct Shipping
One of Free the Grapes’ primary concerns with HB 187 has been the limitation on wines available for shipping to those currently on “the list” of wine represented by a Delaware wholesaler. Rep. Smith acknowledges that the “list” is available for viewing, but admits it is “not necessarily open to the public very well.” This is a prime example of the potential confusion and frustration consumers will feel when they hear that the state is open for shipping, but then find they can’t, in fact, have wines they would like to enjoy shipped to them. It puts the control of choice in the hands of the distributors. The article goes on to underscore this point when it says “Smith’s main goal in crafting HB 187 was to consider the concerns of all parties involved - from distributors to retailers to Teamsters - and find a solution that would satisfy them…” It’s clear the consumers, and the wineries themselves, lose out here.
It has taken years to get a bill in front of the Governor of Delaware, how long will it take to truly get freedom of choice in wine shipping for wine lovers in the first state?
