Buy wine online

Sunday, August 14, 2005

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A big change in the way you can buy wine in Florida could have

Florida wineries could benefit from the new law allowing their product to be purchased online.

local wineries booming with activity.

State legislators made the change this past week and now wine companies are gearing up for added sales.

The Florida Winery at John's Pass Village in Madeira Beach is a popular tourist stop that is benefiting from the ruling. A winery producing wines using fruits of Florida instead of the normal grape wines of California.

"We have things that are comparable to the standard grape wine, but it definitely changes people's minds and opens their horizons," store manager Diane Downs said.

Thousands of people walk through the Florida Winery doors each year. Customers seemed to like the rule that allows them to purchase wine online and have it shipped instead of having to pick it up in person.

"I think it's a great idea,'' a customer from New York said. "At least I will be able to enjoy my wine not being in the place where it is produced."

Initially banned by the state of Florida because of the potential of underage purchasers, it's an effort by wineries to sell wine via the Internet then send it through the mail. A concern no more after the law was overturned.

Now wineries in the Bay area have the potential to reap the benefits of unique Florida fruit-flavored wines, and the information super highway that could increase the wines' popularity and sales.

"With the House of Representatives passing the new law, it makes it reciprocal to where a state that ships wine to us, now we can ship to them," said Tom Powers of the Florida Winery. "And that makes it nice and easy."

Supporters of the previous law banning wine sales online said it ensured the state got its fair share of taxes. Those opposed to the law, however, including Governor Jeb Bush, called the law unfair. Attorneys on both sides are still reviewing the new law that got the green light this past week.