You may have seen on Twitter that Okanagan-Coquihalla MP Dan Albas (@danalbas) is introducing a Private Members Bill next week to amend the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act. The IILA is the 1928 post-prohibition federal law that prevents wineries from shipping directly to their customers in other provinces (see Mark Hicken's websites www.winelaw.ca andwww.freethewine.ca for more detailed info). In fact, it could be introduced as early as Monday.

Throughout the bid process for the North American Wine Bloggers Conference (June 7-9, 2013 in Penticton, save the dates!) Dan and I had several conversations about the IILA and I know he's been in touch with a number of organizations, including the BC Wine Institute and the Alliance of Canadian Wine Consumers.

Public support will be needed in order to change this legislation, and Dan has asked me to spearhead a social media blitz (this shouldn't surprise anyone, should it??).

On Twitter, please follow Dan @danalbas and myself @allisonmmarkin, and tag your tweets #freemygrapes for info and to join the conversation. There will be a Facebook presence up shortly as well.

I'll be providing an update on WBC 2013 at the next Eat.Drink.Tweet. event, and hopefully there will be some good news to report on the ILLA front.

Cheers,

Allison