Barbara Boxer: “I have strong misgivings about one part of the conference report we are about to consider. The provisions relating to…”

“I have strong misgivings about one part of the conference report we are about to consider. The provisions relating to interstate sales of alcoholic beverages, known as the 21st Amendment Enforcement Act, would dramatically reduce the ability of small wineries in my state to market their products across the country. These wineries are small, independent, often family-owned, operations. They are the ``little guys'' in the winemaking industry. They need to sell their products directly to consumers around the country, and the Internet, especially, holds great promise for their future economic success. Already, some of them have been hurt by state laws banning interstate sales of wine. The Matanzas Greek Winery in Sonoma County estimates that it is turning away around $8,000 a month in direct sales from consumers who had visited the winery and hoped to place orders from their homes in other states. I am very concerned that the 21st Amendment Enforcement Act will make it even more difficult for these ``little guys'' to compete in the wine business. I would like to ask the distinguished chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Hatch, whether he would consider the impact of this legislation on my small wineries.”