Eligible wineries may ship limited amounts of wine to Delaware homes

The Commissioner may license certain wineries and manufacturers to ship wine to Delaware households. The Commissioner may license a farm winery or a manufacturer that the Commissioner determines would qualify for a Delaware farm winery license. Applicants must meet the applicable rules and provide required materials, including copies of their state alcohol license and federal permit. A licensee may not ship wine if a licensed importer or wholesaler represents it in Delaware. The biennial fee is $400, or $3,600 if the licensee ships more than 200 cases a year. The Act took effect 365 days after enactment, on August 15, 2026, and expires five years after enactment unless a later law provides otherwise.

Licensed wine shippers may ship up to three 9-liter cases of wine a year to a household, and may not ship more than 1,800 cases a year into Delaware under this license. These limits apply to licensed wine direct shippers sending wine to households in Delaware. The wine must be for household use, not resale, and a household member must be at least 21. A licensee that ships 1,800 cases in one year loses its direct shipper license and must apply for a supplier license. The Act took effect 365 days after enactment, on August 15, 2026, and expires five years after enactment unless a later law provides otherwise.

Wine shippers must use a carrier licensed by the Commissioner; the carrier must check and record the recipient’s age when delivering wine. These rules apply to licensed wine direct shippers and carriers delivering wine to Delaware residents. Packages must warn that they contain alcohol and require an adult’s signature. Carriers must train workers in age checks, report shipment information, and check at least once a year that each shipper has a valid license. Wine shippers must pay excise taxes and report sales and shipment details; state agencies may audit their records. The Act took effect 365 days after enactment, on August 15, 2026, and expires five years after enactment unless a later law provides otherwise.