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Vintners aren't stubborn, just hindered by old laws
Steven W. Villers
Date published: 9/21/2006
I am writing to address some misleading comments made by Bruce Davis in a recent article ["Uncorked," Sept. 13].
Mr. Davis says that farm wineries are resistant to a change in business model because few have applied for a distributor's license.
None have applied because this license is not available to wineries, not because of any stubbornness or lack of business sense, as Mr. Davis would have us believe.
A new, small-volume wholesaler's license was recently created, but it is available only to those not involved in the production of wine.
Mr. Davis implies that the impact of the legislation prohibiting self-distribution is largely the result of choices the farm wineries have made.
Wineries have few choices. Self-distribution (except to ABC stores) is no longer one of them.
Mr. Davis (with other wholesalers) has made inaccurate comments in the past. The two most egregious are the implication that farm wineries don't pay excise taxes and that the "three-tier" system is mandated by the 21st Amendment. Neither is true.
Perhaps, after 73 years since their inception, we should revisit our alcohol laws and devise a system that reflects the reality of 21st-century beverage production and sales--allowing small producers, large producers, and wholesalers to coexist in a mutually beneficial relationship, while still ensuring that the commonwealth gets its share of the revenue.
Hopefully the General Assembly will explore constitutional ways to permit the continued prosperity of one of Virginia agriculture's fastest-growing areas, rather than curb it, as last spring's legislation did.
Keeping the laws as they are will mean future economic losses for wholesalers and the commonwealth, as well as for our farm wineries.
Until our legislators understand this, please focus on facts, so people like Mr. Davis cannot disparage our small businesses in order to promote their own interests.
Steven W. Villers
Spotsylvania
Steven W. Villers owns Blacksnake Meadery in Carroll County.
Date published: 9/21/2006
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