By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-934806.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Wine enthusiasts say legislation that allows Sunday-morning liquor sales has an overshadowed portion that could hurt Michigan's wineries.
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There is a section of the comprehensive liquor bill that prevents wineries from selling their labels through multiple wine distributors in a region. Cary Greene of the national advocacy group Wine America says that could make it difficult for small wineries to get some of their labels on store shelves.
"Once the system tightens, it tightens for good," he says. "And it just becomes more difficult than it was even before, to get your product to market."
Greene says Michigan has one of the country's fastest expanding wine industries, and eliminating some distribution competition could hurt a growing industry.
Wine industry representatives say they aren't happy with the distribution portion of the legislation, but they are happy with sections that allow wineries to charge for tastings. The bill also allows wine tastings at grocery stores.
Governor Granholm vetoed a similar bill, but is expected to sign this version of the multi-faceted liquor bill.