Arizona Wine
Parker v. Morrison
Federal Lawsuit Sought to End Arizona’s Prohibition on Direct Interstate Wine Sales
On behalf of Arizona consumers and a Virginia winery, IJ filed a federal lawsuit in October 2003 to overturn the state's ban on the interstate direct shipment of wine to consumers so wine enthusiasts from Arizona can enjoy the wide array of choices available over the Internet, by telephone or by mail. After similar lawsuits in New York and Michigan were appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, IJ suspended its Arizona lawsuit pending the High Court’s decision. In May 2005 the Supreme Court struck down the protectionist state wine shipping laws, opening the direct shipping market across the country. In May 2006, the Arizona Legislature passed a bill, signed into law by the governor on June 1, that provides limited direct shipping options for Arizona consumers and small wineries.