Confusing press articles are proliferating daily regarding the recent Supreme Court ruling on Direct Shipping of wine. Don’t, however, expect sweeping changes with this decision. Here's what we think and a little background.

Prohibition was repealed in 1933 and we have lived with state governments regulating the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages for 72 years. Over that time pressures from consumers, winemakers, and wine merchants have eroded the original system of distribution to the point where there is almost no continuity from one state to the other.

At this point, because of the Supreme Court decision, state governments are meeting with their attorneys, their liquor boards, and their elected representatives to chart a course for the future. Each state has the right to ban all in-state shipments, which allows them to also ban outside wineries from shipping into a state.

In the coming days and weeks you can expect a lot of cries of victory by proponents for free trade as well as the opposite view by others in the wine industry. It will take a while for this to settle down to the point where we have a clear path to take as we'll have to wait to see what the individual states do.

Again, don't expect sweeping changes in the method of wine shipping. We at A Taste of California applaud the Court’s decision to bring wine distribution into the 21st century and recognize the complexities involved in the application of the states’ laws. We have always provided access to our products through a legal networks of distribution which incorporates a team of wholesalers and retailers and have always been in complete legal compliance with every community we ship to.

At this point nothing will change for our existing customers. With positive developments down the road we will be able to expand our distribution to wine lovers in other states.

We will do all we can to keep you appraised of any changes that will impact our relationship with our valued wine club members. We thank you for your support over the years and will continue to work for our mutual benefit.