DELAWARE - Delawareans will soon be able to have wine shipped directly to their homes as a new state law allowing direct-to-consumer wine sales takes effect Aug. 15.
House Bill 187 allows licensed wine producers in Delaware and other states to ship wine directly to Delaware consumers through common carriers holding a Delaware permit.
The law limits direct shippers to selling no more than three 9-liter cases of wine to a single household each year and no more than 1,800 9-liter cases annually to Delaware consumers.
According to the bill, to help prevent underage access to alcohol, deliveries must be signed for by a person who is at least 21 years old. Employees and independent contractors making wine deliveries must also complete age-verification training approved by the state's Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner.
The measure was signed into law by Gov. Matt Meyer on Aug. 15, 2025, but lawmakers delayed implementation for one year. The law takes effect Aug. 15, 2026.
The legislation creates a new way for wineries to sell directly to Delaware consumers rather than relying solely on traditional retail distribution.
The law also requires the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner to study the impact of direct wine shipments on Delaware wine retailers and submit a report to the governor and General Assembly by June 1, 2028.
House Bill 187 includes a five-year sunset provision, meaning the law will expire unless the General Assembly votes to extend or make the program permanent.
