Pouring (Shausha Cameron)

NEW YORK, NY December 07, 2004 —You might not know this, but, under current New York law, residents can't go online and order directly from their favorite out-of-state vineyard. New York has a strict distribution system for alcohol, which also restricts New York wineries that want to sell to out-of-state customers. The US Supreme Court will hear arguments tomorrow on the constitutionality of New York's mandated distribution system for alcohol.

Greg David, editor of Crain's New York Business, has been following the story, and has written an editorial urging the end of what he calls "archaic and protectionist laws."