Fate uncertain for wine sales bills
By Steve Terrell The New Mexican
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Legislature last month passed two bills designed to help the state wine industry. But opposition from an Artesia oil company – which was a major contributor to Gov. Susana Martinez’s campaign – has some supporters wondering whether the governor will sign the bills into law
Senate Bill 445, sponsored by state Sen. Phil Griego, D-San Jose, and House Bill 487, sponsored by Rep. Ken Martinez, D-Grants, would allow wineries in the state to ship directly to New Mexico residents of legal age. The legislation also would allow any out-of-state winery willing to pay an annual $50 fee to ship wine to New Mexicans.
Supporters of the bills fear that because of a U.S. Supreme Court decision, New Mexico’s current laws on shipping wine could be struck down and make it illegal for wineries to ship directly to people anywhere.
A fiscal impact report on Griego’s bill notes that direct wine shipments in New Mexico aren’t regulated but are occurring in New Mexico. “The state is not receiving any tax revenues on these sales,” the report by the Legislative Council Service says. “Moreover, the state has no way of tracking businesses that are shipping wine illegally to the state, and it has no mechanism for dealing with dispute or taxation issues.”
Websites of several area wineries show that consumers can buy wine via the Internet. However, sales to residents in some states aren’t allowed. States such as Utah, Kentucky and Alabama forbid direct sales from wineries in other states.
Some individual wineries choose not to sell to residents of other states. Richard Reinders, owner of Estrella del Norte Vineyard in Nambe, said he doesn’t sell to North Dakota residents because that state requires out-of-state wineries to file quarterly reports.
The bills passed the New Mexico Legislature by large, bipartisan margins. But both Griego and a lobbyist for the wineries said this week that the Mack Energy Corp., an Artesia oil company, has been lobbying against the legislation.
Dan Weaks, a lobbyist for the New Mexico Wine Growers Association and The Wine Institute, told the New Mexican that some Mack executives were concerned that the bills would hinder sales from wineries in other states – something which both Weaks and Griego deny would happen.
Why would an oil company be concerned about legislation dealing with wineries? “Apparently (Mack employees) have some kind of a wine club and they were concerned that the bills would stop them from getting their wine from out-of-state wineries,” Weaks said. “That’s not what (the bills) do.”
Dan Girand, who is in charge of Mack Energy’s legislative and regulatory affairs, declined to comment Monday.
The governor has until Friday to act on bills passed during the 2011 legislative session, which adjourned last month.
Source: http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-news/ci_17782203
Clark Wine Center was built in 2003 by Hong Kong-based Yats International Leisure Philippines to become the largest wine shop in Philippines supplying Asia’s wine lovers with fine vintage wines at attractive prices. Today, this wine shop in Clark Philippines offers over 2000 selections of fine wines from all major wine regions in the world. As a leading wine supplier in Philippines, Pampanga’s Clark Wine Center offers an incomparable breadth of vintages, wines from back vintages spanning over 50 years. Clark Wine Center is located in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone adjacent to Angeles City, just 25 minutes from Subic and 45 minutes from Manila.
Wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhone, Loire, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Alsace, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Chile and Argentina etc. are well represented in this Clark Wine Shop.
This is one of the frequently visited places for wine lovers from Manila and Angeles City to buy international wines in Pampanga.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com
Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.
Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay
Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com
YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.yatsleisure.com
Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:
http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com
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