The 5-4 decision overturns laws in New York and Michigan that make it a crime to buy wine directly from vineyards in another state. In all, 24 states have laws that bar interstate shipments.

The state bans are discriminatory and anti-competitive, the court said."

Many of those coming here to go wine tasting are dismayed to learn that they cannot buy wine and have it shipped home. Well. There are ways of getting it there but wineries cannot ship it for you. This will be a huge boon for the many small wineries here that make really incredible wines, but don't have the distribution system of Kendall-Jackson or Gallo.

Don't laugh. Gallo turns out some excellent wines - try the "Dry Creek Zinfandel" - which comes from the vineyard where I used to work. The Zin vines grow all around the office. We used to upset the ranch manager by traipsing out and snacking on the grapes. Trouble is, the amount of grapes that would fit in, say 3 shoeboxes, is worth about $500.