As we approach the holidays and all of the family gatherings that go along with them, customers increasingly ask about shipping wine to their holiday destination whether it be for their own use or as personal or corporate gifts. There are some guidelines and rules that govern all of us in the wine business and some basic pointers that can help consumers have wines they enjoy at this festive time of year, regardless of their destination.

One easy option if you are traveling somewhere for the holidays is to stop by the shop and we can pack the wine into a shipper for you which you can then check as luggage on your flight. The downside is that in this day of fees for all things checked it will likely cost you some money, but depending on the distance to your destination it may make sense.

Another common misunderstanding is that the laws that govern shipping from retailers and wineries also govern an individual, which is not true. It is always legal to ship wine to yourself. If you purchase wine from a winery or retailer and take it with you and then go to FedEx or UPS you are allowed by law to send it to yourself or anyone else. The policies of the shippers may be more restrictive, however once you navigate those rules you can send it to anyone you like who is located within the United States.

Currently the United States Postal Service does not take shipments of alcohol from individuals. This may change soon, however as a proposal before Congress would lift restrictions on shipping beer and wine as a way to help increase revenue at the struggling USPS. If this proposal were to pass it would likely bring down the cost of shipping wine and increase the ease of sending it through all carriers, so a good idea in our opinion.

The most onerous restrictions for sending wine are on wineries themselves. The myriad state and federal laws restricting shipping of all alcohol and specifically wine are designed to maintain the flow of alcohol through licensed distributors. Wine purchased directly at a winery never flows through a distributor, thus the restrictions and licensing requirements. About the only way to know if you can send wine directly from a winery is to ask the winery staff. It will come down to what state you are shipping to and what licenses the winery maintains with the various states.

For retailers it is more straightforward as all of the wine we carry is purchased from distributors, thus clearing the hurdle that was erected when the distributor laws were put in place. As it stands today the only states that restrict shipping from licensed retailers are Utah and Pennsylvania, both of which have very tightly controlled state liquor. If you are attempting to send wine for your own use or to friends and family in these locations your only choice is to send it yourself. However be prepared for shippers to be even more restrictive than they might otherwise be.

With the remaining states we can ship nearly without restriction. While shipping rates have gone up a fair amount recently with the increase in fuel prices we can get wine to its destination just about anywhere in the country within a week, weather permitting. Transportation times do lengthen as we approach the holidays though, so if you are sending gifts give the shipment ample time. Finally, it is important to note that no retailer can ship wine to Mexico or Canada, and in fact most overseas locations do not allow it either.

If you have questions about shipping wine you are welcome to call us here at the shop or consult any of the local wine professionals here in North Idaho.

Winter Wine Rodeo Update

We are looking forward to a great event at the fairgrounds from 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 with the VIP event "Behind the Chutes" starting at 2 p.m. Local restaurant Fire is unfortunately not going to be able to attend however the 315 Martini Bar has signed up so we have a great line up of local restaurants as well local vendors and of course a huge line up of wine to taste. Tickets are still available at both the fairgrounds and here at the dinner party. We hope to see you there.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party - a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo and writes frequently for the online version of Coeur d'Alene Magazine at www.cdamagazine.com. His articles can also be found on the blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.