The comptroller of Maryland, Mr. William Donald Schafer, has demanded that the local wineries stop direct sales. This halt could put the 22 local wineries out of business. two-Thirds of the business they do is from direct sales to businesses, like stores and restaurants, and wuold loose money if only having to deal with wholesalers. 60-day deadline Rather than defend the current law, the comptroller\'s office - under advice from the state attorney general\'s office - chose last week to reinterpret the meaning of the statute. The wineries, most of them small, family run businesses, said they hope the General Assembly will intervene. They are backing legislation sponsored by Sen. Thomas M. \"Mac\" Middleton, a Southern Maryland Democrat, that would allow both in-state and out-of-state wineries to deal directly with retailers and restaurants. Rob Deford, whose Boordy Vineyards in Baltimore County is the state\'s oldest winery, said the ruling comes as the industry is finally growing. He said the directive - whose March 31 deadline he called \"draconian\" - could squelch that expansion because new wineries need to be able to deal directly with customers while they are getting established. Read more of the article, from the link below.

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