Joe Smith Says:
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:37 pm

This is a very important issue.  Why do we encourage the shipping of some commodities to places like Cuba and North Korea while our wineries can't ship to Oklahoma?

The consumers, the State and the winemakers all lose.  A backroom buddy system of distributers has control of many of our leaders.

The next time you're in a city like Dallas and you're shopping for wine stop by a Target store.  Find your favorite label and notice how much cheaper it is...we should be drinking another level of vino, not feeding fat cat trust funds.

Ken Says:
February 03, 2009 at 2:55 pm

It truly gripes my posterior that we can't have wine shipped into our state. I enjoy some of your state wines but also enjoy wines from other areas. It is impossible to go to Sonoma or other states to get wine.  We definitely need to correct the shipping issues, no matter who controls it. 

David Says:
March 05, 2009 at 7:00 am

I emailed Senator Thompson, the author of this bill, years ago to "free the grapes", and instead he decides to sell beer and whiskey on Sundays is better for the people of Arkansas.  Unbelievable. 

Mrs. Ortiz Says:
March 11, 2009 at 10:04 am

My husband is from Puerto Rico where he enjoyed wines from all over South America. We haven't been able to find most of the lables we love in stores and we can't order. His parents would gladly send them to us (like they send cafe rico, our favorite perto rican coffee), but can't. Little things like this has caused us to decide to move away from Arkansas in the next two years.

Michael Utley Says:
May 14, 2009 at 9:55 pm

My parents owned and I helped run the last winery in northeast Arkansas.  I remember the issues of those times:laws dealing with labeling requirements, metric bottling requirements, increased taxes, etc helped push our small winery which had existed for over 80 years out of business.  Earlier in the last century, wineries in Arkansas numbered over one hundred strong, while we now have less than ten.  Every one of our neighboring states have numerous small wineries producing jobs, revenue and increased tourism.  With the current economy, wineries would add much to our state and reflect a unique history of what was once a truly statewide industry.  The legislature should work to increase the potential of our existing wineries and encourage newcomers to start businesses which could add jobs and increased tourism to our local communities.  I have built a successful military career from the disciplines I learned at a young age managing our winery and vinyards. The potential in Arkansas is enormous. When are we finally going to tap into the great potential small wineries could offer for the state? I will make contacts and do what I can in future legislative sessions. Thanks for raising the issues.

John Mills Says:
September 6, 2009 at 9:35 pm

I can not beleive how backward Arkansas is.  I do realize it is a big maoney thing.  Wet and dry counties.  Dry countie people own the liqure stores in the wet counties. go figure.  We need to allow the vitners to sell the great wine of Arkansas anywhere it is wanted.  Thanks.

Thomas H. Hogan Says:
September 30, 2009 at 2:15 pm

No wonder people of Arkansas are hurting financially, gastronomically and gustatorially -- come on legislators, get busy, and change this law !