U.S. Mail bag could start carrying wine

(Mpnnow) - U.S. Chuck Schumer’s proposal to allow mailing of wine, beer and liquor through the Postal Service has met with praise locally.     

Consumers would see a break in the cost because the Postal Service has flat rates for packages, while other carriers often charge by weight and distance, Schumer said this past week.     

The current law, in place since 1909, makes it illegal for wine and beer producers to ship their products through the post office, forcing them to turn to private carriers such as FedEx and UPS.     

"The idea of a flat rate is absolutely wonderful," said Jim Trezise, president of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation. He cited statistics indicating that direct shipping to customers is the fastest-growing sector of the wine industry. The change would not only likely lower costs for producers looking to ship their products to customers, but the flat rate would allow them to better plan for consistent shipping expenses, Trezise said.     

New York state stands to benefit greatly, said Schumer. The state has 350 wineries and 56 breweries. Of those, 29 wineries and seven breweries are in the Finger Lakes region, according to Schumer’s office, with the Rochester-Finger Lakes region home to some 1,960 postal employees.     

“This will open up a more competitive market for shipping wine,” said Don Bombace, owner of Bombace Wine and Spirits in Farmington. Bombace’s store, at the corner of Routes 332 and 96, sells hundreds of New York wine products with an entire room dedicated to New York wine. Next door, Bombace owns Mixers and More, a beer, mixers and cigar store.     

That added competition should lower the price for shipping, Bombace said. Providing as many options as possible for New York wines to enter the marketplace is good for the wine industry and consumers as well, he said.     

John Brahm, owner of Arbor Hill Grapery and Winery in South Bristol, said he gets many visitors who want their wine purchases shipped. Adding postal delivery has an number of advantages, said Brahm. In addition to the possibility of lower shipping costs, it adds the option of shipping on Saturday, an option not available with some other carriers, he said.     

Trezise also said that wider exposure of New York wines has already helped the Empire State’s wine industry.