| Since the economy has fallen into recession, the | | | | not a danger because there had never been a |
| word 'regulation' has developed an aura of | | | | known case of that occurrence other than when |
| sanctity because we've discovered that if Wall | | | | a particular wine business had been set up by |
| Street had followed the rules or even had rules to | | | | wholesalers. |
| follow, we'd all have more money in our 401Ks, | | | | Diligently trying to protect their middleman |
| more equity in our homes, more job stability, | | | | services and profits, wholesalers have been using |
| more wine in our glasses, and more fun. | | | | the under-aged drinking issue to prevent |
| One of those regulations recently becoming | | | | customers from having direct access to wineries |
| strictly enforced by delivery services is the adult | | | | via the internet in much the same way that music |
| signature rule for wine deliveries. For wine clubs, | | | | companies are trying to maintain their middleman |
| this means and adult signature is required on | | | | function despite a new technology that makes |
| every delivery by federal law and that these | | | | their services mostly irrelevant. |
| deliveries can no longer be left on a doorstep or | | | | While everyone will agree preventing these |
| with anyone under the age of 21. Upon delivery | | | | problems associated with teenage drinking is |
| to a home or business address, an adult over the | | | | important, the question becomes whether the |
| age of 21 must show their identification and sign | | | | adult signature required regulation hurts the |
| for receipt of the wine. The person expecting the | | | | business of wine clubs, especially as older people |
| delivery cannot sign and leave a signature waiver | | | | whose children are grown make up the majority |
| and delivery services cannot leave a package | | | | of members. |
| containing wine with an adult signature request. | | | | The Answer |
| This article looks at adult signature required | | | | Probably not. Wine clubs offer an excellent way |
| regulations for wine deliveries and whether it is | | | | for wine enthusiasts to enjoy unique wines from |
| good or bad for wine clubs. | | | | all over the world. Although wine deliveries do |
| Varying Regulations | | | | require an adult signature, the benefit of a wine |
| Each state has its own system of alcohol | | | | club membership outweighs this minor |
| regulation influenced by local businesses and | | | | inconvenience. After all, there are alternatives to |
| politics. This results in laws governing the shipment | | | | having wine delivered to your home during the |
| of wine varying widely. The order origination also | | | | workday when you aren't there. |
| affects wine shipments as on-site and off-site | | | | You can change your delivery address to your |
| orders fall under different regulations. Off-site | | | | place of business or even to an address where |
| shipments result from a person placing an order | | | | there is always an adult present. If you find a |
| over the internet, phone, or fax while on-site | | | | delivery sticker on your door, you can call the |
| shipments come from customer orders made | | | | carrier to provide them with a different delivery |
| while visiting a winery's tasting room in person. | | | | address free of charge. You can also go to the |
| The Good And Bad | | | | carrier's office to pick up your wine in person. |
| With all due respect to rules and the government | | | | Don't let the adult signature required rule keep |
| agencies that make them, we sometimes flaunt | | | | you from enjoying deliveries from your favorite |
| rules not for personal gain, but because they are | | | | wine clubs. Although inconvenient, these rules |
| less than relevant. The adult signature rule is | | | | protect teenagers and others and by using one of |
| supposed to prevent teenagers from ordering | | | | the above methods, you may actually find your |
| premium wine on the internet, which the U.S. | | | | wine deliveries become more convenient than |
| Supreme Court said in its Granholm decision was | | | | ever. |