VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Beginning July 1, 2025, Mississippi residents will be able to receive direct wine shipments from licensed wineries across the country, following the passage and signing of Senate Bill 2145 by Gov. Tate Reeves.
The legislation, approved by the Mississippi Legislature in February and sponsored by State Sen. Walter Michel, marks a major shift in the state’s wine laws and consumer access. Once enacted, Mississippi will no longer be among the handful of states that prohibit or severely restrict direct-to-consumer (DTC) winery shipping.
“This is a big win for Mississippians that are wine lovers, travelers and anyone that enjoys the opportunity to try new things,” said State Sen. Jeremy England, a co-sponsor of the bill. “It is one more notch in the positive for our image and for our efforts to attract new people and businesses to Mississippi.”
Under the new law, licensed in-state or out-of-state wineries may ship directly to consumers and fulfillment centers in Mississippi through approved carriers such as UPS and FedEx. Recipients must be at least 21 years old and sign for delivery. Each household will be limited to receiving no more than 12 cases per year, and shipments cannot be sent to dry counties or communities. Only wines with an alcohol-by-weight content of at least 5 percent are permitted for shipment.
All wineries must obtain a direct shipper’s permit from the Mississippi Department of Revenue, maintain three years of shipping records, and label packages with “Contains Alcohol: Signature of Person Age 21 Years or Older Required for Delivery.” The law imposes a 15.5 percent tax per shipment, along with a 3 percent markup collected by the Mississippi Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), which will benefit the Department of Mental Health’s Mental Health Programs Fund.
The bill passed after years of repeated efforts by the House, where similar legislation had been introduced annually. State Rep. Hank Zuber, chair of the House State Affairs Committee, emphasized the bill’s limited scope, noting it only applies to wines not already distributed by Mississippi wholesalers—except for certain “highly allocated” wines. “The House has provided the leadership and the courage whenever it comes to freedom of choice concerning alcohol,” Zuber said.
Still, some critics argue the bill falls short. The National Association of Wine Retailers pointed out that the law does not allow for direct shipments from out-of-state retailers, and it prohibits shipping wines already available in Mississippi’s wholesale market. Others expressed concern that strict compliance regulations and penalties—including potential misdemeanor charges—could deter wineries from participating.
Despite concerns, the change comes during a turbulent period for the DTC wine industry. Nationally, direct shipments declined in volume and value in 2024, and ongoing legal battles in other states, including Arizona and New York, continue to shape the landscape. Even so, regulatory experts believe Mississippi’s move may influence other holdout states to reconsider their positions.
“It’s a step forward,” said Alex Koral, regulatory general counsel for Sovos ShipCompliant. “This expansion opens new opportunities and reflects growing demand for consumer freedom in the wine market.”
Four states—Arkansas, Delaware, Rhode Island, and Utah—still do not allow winery DTC shipping. Mississippi’s new law may add momentum to legislative efforts in those regions, as consumer interest and economic considerations continue to drive policy changes across the country.
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