According to a statement from the Wine Institute, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed the state’s budget conference report that includes direct-to-consumer (DTC) wine shipping language. The new law, effective January 1, 2015, will allow domestic wineries to ship directly up to 12 cases of wine directly to each individual consumer, after initially paying $300 for a direct shipper鈥檚 license (with a $150 renewal fee each subsequent year). Massachusetts is the 42nd state, plus Washington, D.C, to enact some form of DTC shipping.
Read about wine shipping laws in all 50 states >>>
At this year鈥檚 Wine Blog Awards, held during the 2014 Wine Bloggers Conference in Sonoma, Wine Enthusiast鈥檚 Contributing Editor Sean Sullivan was awarded for Best Single Subject Wine Blog for his Web site, Washington Wine Report. The other winners of the awards can be found here.
Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky announced a collaboration with international artist Idris Khan to mark the release of Glenmorangie鈥檚 Pride 1978. The global launch was held in New York City at the Academy Mansion and was hosted by Head of Distilling & Whisky Creation, Dr. Bill Lumsden. More than 150 guests celebrated the new spirit and Kahn’s work, titled Disappearing Casks, which drew inspiration from the whisky. The 34-year-old Pride 1978 was bottled in 2012 after 15 years of maturation in casks that had contained a legendary French Bordeaux Premier Grand Cru Class茅 wine.
Washington state鈥檚 J. Bookwalter announced last week that Caleb Foster has joined the 30,000-case, Richland-based winery as head winemaker and general manager. Company President John Bookwalter said in a release that he will still have a hands-on role with the company鈥檚 winemaking efforts but the addition of Foster will allow him to focus on the winery鈥檚 other business activities.
Last week, Heaven Hill Distilleries, Inc. announced its acquisition of the worldwide rights to Domaine de Canton French Ginger Liqueur from Maurice Cooper et Cie. of Miami, Florida. Heaven Hill’s portfolio of brands includes Evan Williams, Larceny, Elijah Craig and Henry McKenna Bourbons; Burnett’s Vodkas and Gin; and Admiral Nelson鈥檚 and Blackheart Rums.