Judge to hear arguments in lawsuit challenging wine law
Source: KTen
OKLAHOMA CITY A federal judge will hear arguments tomorrow in three Oklahoma liquor wholesalers’ challenge of a voter-approved law that allows state winemakers to sell their products directly to liquor stores and restaurants.
The lawsuit contends the wine law is unconstitutional because it discriminates against out-of-state winemakers, who still must rely on wholesalers to distribute their wine. State officials maintain the law is valid. U-S District Judge Stephen Friot will hear arguments at the University of Oklahoma College of Law in Norman. Gary Butler is president of the Oklahoma Grape Growers and Wine Makers Association. Butler says the state’s fledgling wine industry would be crippled if the lawsuit is successful.State Question 688 allowed Oklahoma wineries to sell outside their on-site tasting rooms. Attorneys for wholesalers Action Wholesale Liquors, Central Liquor and Jarboe Sales Company say the judge could overturn the law or expand it to allow all winemakers to sell direct to liquor stores and restaurants.
They support the former because the other requires restructuring of the state’s liquor laws.
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