ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Shortly after taking office,
Comptroller William Donald Schaefer
addressed the fact that the growth of
Maryland's wine industry has lagged
far behind wineries in other states in
the region. He quickly formed a
partnership with Maryland wineries
and grape growers in an effort to
remove regulatory barriers hampering
the development of the state's wine
industry.

Maryland's system of alcoholic
beverage regulation is designed to
promote efficient distribution and
taxation. Comptroller Schaefer and
industry partners believe that minor
changes in regulatory laws will boost
Maryland winery growth and related
wine festival tourism without significant
effects on the regulatory system.

The Comptroller outlined a
legislative proposal that will open up
three marketing windows for the state's
ten commercial wine producers by
allowing them to showcase products at
licensed restaurants and hotels, conduct
sales at community festivals and special
locations, and sell wine by the glass to
visitors at licensed wineries.

Seeding growth. Comptroller William Donald Schaefer dis-
cusses his legislative proposal to help winemakers during a
tour of Boordy Vineyards in Baltimore County, Maryland's
oldest vineyard and winery.

With Maryland's agricultural
resources for grape growing comparing
favorably with France's Bordeaux
region, industry experts believe that a
growing wine industry in Maryland may
encourage farmers—including tobacco
planters—to diversify their crops.

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