RSG Commends the Supreme Court for Ruling to Free the Grapes

WASHINGTON, DC, May 19, 2005 – The Society of Recovering Sorority Girls, through its founders Kristina “Morgan” Rose and Deandra “Brooksie” Brooks, celebrate the United States Supreme Court’s ruling this week in Swedenburg v. Kelly, the landmark case addressing the rights of out-of-state wineries to ship directly to customers located across state lines.

“Today is a great day for home entertaining enthusiasts,” proclaimed Brooksie. “The ruling in this case opens the door to even-handed shipping rules and broader wine choices for party hostesses.”

“However, our work to ‘free the grapes’ is not finished yet,” sniffed Morgan. “Until every state allows direct shipping of wines to consumers, not all hostesses will enjoy access to the full bounty of America’s regional wines.”

Five states, including Morgan’s home state of Maryland, have state laws which prohibit the shipment of wine altogether and are not required to change their existing laws to comply with the new ruling. Essentially, the Court ruled that states may not treat in-state and out-of-state wineries differently. Most states allow direct shipment to in-state consumers by wineries also residing in that state. The Court held that this legislative approach is an unfair burden on trade and states must use an “evenhanded” approach when dealing with in-state and out-of-state wine producers. In states like Maryland, all direct shipment is prohibited both from in-state and out of state wineries. Therefore, these laws meet the Supreme Court’s evenhanded standard. According to Morgan and Brooksie, however, they do not “free the grapes.”

“Completely free access to the wine of your choice is obviously a crucial matter for American’s home entertainers and recovering sorority girls everywhere,” explained Morgan.

“While we celebrate the Supreme Court’s landmark efforts to ‘free the grapes’, we now call upon state legislatures to review their laws and end all direct shipping bans,” urged Brooksie.

“I refuse to believe that the Founding Fathers intended States to have the power to deny any American access to the full spectrum of really yummy American-made wines,” Morgan declared.

Morgan and Brooksie are deeply hopeful that the Supreme Court’s decision will lead the way for direct shipments of wine to consumers in every state. Continue to monitor their website at www.recoveringsororitygirls.com for updates on the fight to “Free the Grapes.”

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The Society of Recovering Sorority Girls is an elite organization devoted to a life less ordinary. Its founders, Kristina "Morgan" Rose and Deandra "Brooksie" Brooks firmly believe in applying many of the principles of collegiate Greek life to improve the leisure activities of young professionals everywhere. Morgan and Brooksie are also the authors of The Recovering Sorority Girls’ Guide to a Year’s Worth of Perfect Parties (Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2005)