US: Italian winery challenges Illinois law – report

By just-drinks.com editorial team | 30 June 2006

The liquor law in Illinois is being challenged by an Italian winery, according to local reports.

Villa Monteleone Winery is calling on the legal authorities of Sangamon County in the state to overturn a state law it feels discriminates against out-of-state vineyards, according to a report in The Southern Illinoisan newspaper today (30 June).

The law decrees that Illinois winemakers are allowed to sell directly to consumers, while those from outside Illinois have to go through distributors.

"This self-distribution privilege constitutes pure economic protectionism; there is no rational basis for the different treatment of Illinois and non-Illinois wineries," the Verona-based company was cited saying in the lawsuit filed last week.

"This means that (Villa Monteleone's) products cost more than products from licensed Illinois winemakers," lawyers for the winery have said in court documents.

The paper noted that the Illinois Liquor Control Commission is still reviewing the lawsuit.

Sectors: Wine