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and sales that could result in proposed policy changes. It will examine the three-tier system of alcohol sales which includes producers, wholesalers and retailers.
• A group of Sioux Falls anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists who enjoy drinking wine together drafted a bill last year that failed to pass the Legislature this past session.
• "It's all about consumer choice. We have a right to choice," said Don Roesler, a nurse anesthetist who is president of the group, South Dakotans for Better Wine Laws.
• Roesler and his colleagues like to travel to wineries on the west coast and feel frustrated that they can't order that wine delivered to their home.
• Sen. Corey Brown, who sponsored wine group's shipping bill, said the current alcohol laws, which he calls "archaic," were set up immediately after Prohibition.
• "This issue of wine shipment is indirectly the result of the way the whole system is set up," Brown said.
• Brown hopes the study will help legislators modernize the laws. He said there's been some resistance from wholesalers who feel threated by the possibility of direct wine deliveries.
• Roesler said direct wine shipping hasn't affected the three-tier system in the 41 states who allow it. He said such a change will bring $200,000 a year to South Dakota in tax revenue and license fees.
• Republican Speaker of the House Brian Gosch voted against the study on Wednesday.
• "There are some people who are particular about the wine they drink," Gosch said. "I don't know that the state needs to get involved."
• He said that he is not a wine drinker and doesn't have a stake in the alcohol industry. He said another wine shipping bill may come out of the summer study with a slew of sponsors from the study committee.
• Al Schroeder, secretary for South Dakotans for Better Wine Laws, said the group will be watching.
• "We're anxious to see what they come up with, and we'll take our lead from that," he said.
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