David Coffaro

[Jerry D Mead]

Family...You don't say which impossible state you live in, but there are numerous ruses and dodges which are frequently used to circumvent these Prohibition-era laws.

For one thing, most states are really only prosecuting retailers/wineries shipping from other states. They have not yet turned the powers of the state on their own citizens for ordering (it's rather like busting the hooker and leaving the "john" unprosecuted)wine or from individual citizens sending wine as gifts.

So if you have a really good friend in any reciprocal state, arrange to have the wine shipped to him, and then he can generally ship it on to you with impugnity. I know, that's double shipping...but if it's something you really want... Or maybe you can have it shipped somewhwere you visit once or twice a year and can either pick it up or ship it to yourself.

Some folks are renting wine storage lockers in major wine markets...California, Washington, Oregon, if you're into American wines...New York, if you're more into imports...and having their purchases delivered to their wine locker with its controlled temp and humidity...and then visiting periodically to ship a mixed case or three of what's there home.

If you're shipping to yourself, or having a friend ship...just don't tell the shipper what's inside...say glassware...olive oil...preserves (actually pretty accurate) or something, else they won't accept the shipment. Curmy ships to relatives in many illegal states and never has a problem. Might make an interesting article if I did get arrested.

JDM