Politics, Wine and Free Trade Collide at Online Wine Auction

2009-11-09 23:36:02 -

Beginning today and running through November 19th, Specialty Wine Retailers Association (SWRA) and WineCommune.com are sponsoring the "Wine Without Borders" Online Fundraising Wine Auction. The online auction of wine will raise funds to support the effort to overturn laws prohibiting the shipment of wine across state borders.

To view the various lots up for bid in the auction, wine lovers can

go to:  www.winecommune.com/help/swra.cfm : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. .

Wine lovers that support free trade in wine can quickly register, start bidding on wines and know they are helping the effort to bring down protectionist wine shipping laws.

"Between 2000 and 2008, more than $65 million was given to state political campaigns by special interests that oppose the idea of wine lovers buying wine online," said Tom Wark, Executive Director of the Specialty Wine Retailers Association. "We shouldn't be surprised that today, in the 21st century, 36 states help these same well-heeled special interests with protectionist laws that ban the shipment of wine directly to consumers in their states."

Among the wines on the block at the Wine Without Borders Online Fundraising Auction are: a 3 liter bottle of 2000 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion, Martinelli Jackass Vineyard Zinfandel, Bordeaux futures including cases of 2007 Chateau Petrus and Chateau Mouton Rothschild, well aged Cabernets, 1996 Veuve Cliquot La Grande Dame Champagne and many more hard to find and rare wines. In all there are more than 90 lots up for bid.

The proceeds of the "Wine Without Borders" auction will go toward helping fund the SWRA efforts across the country, including lobbying and media relations efforts.

"The 'Wine Without Borders' Online Wine Auction also gives wine lovers the opportunity to get involved and help with this effort to open up online wine sales across the country," said Wark.



About Specialty Wine Retailers Association

Specialty Wine Retailers Association is a national organization of fine wine retailers, wine clubs, auction houses and consumers that advocate for fair and well-regulated wine shipping laws. For more information about SWRA see  www.specialtywineretailers.org : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ..  or on Facebook at the  Specialty Wine Retailers Fan Page : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. .



Specialty Wine Retailers AssociationTom Wark, 707-935-4424 twark@specialtywineretailers.org : mailto:twark@specialtywineretailers.org