We Want to Hear From You!

Dear Maryland Consumer,

The Comptroller of Maryland is collecting data for its direct wine shipment report to be submitted to the Maryland General Assembly as required under Senate Bill 858, the Maryland Winery Modernization Act.

Currently, 37 states and the District of Columbia permit either wineries or retailers, or both, to ship wine directly to consumers in their state.

The direct wine shipment report, to be issued by the Comptroller at the end of 2010, will evaluate the best practices of these 37 states and D.C. in terms of fiscal, tax and other public policy and regulatory issues. A determination will also be made about how direct wine shipment in Maryland would affect alcoholic beverage licensees, underage access to alcohol and the benefits and costs to consumers.

In order to make a determination about the effect of direct wine shipment on Maryland consumers, we are asking for your input. Please complete the survey found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7SGQQMP by September 30, 2010.

Your responses are confidential and anonymous. The information collected on this survey may be used in the agency's report to the Maryland General Assembly. Thank you for your participation. If you have any questions, please contact agency officials at dws@comp.state.md.us.