Georgians may be able to save some gas by ordering their favorite wines from home rather than making a trip to a farm winery, since Gov. Sonny Perdue last week signed a long-sought direct shipping law.

Supporters of the law said it will help Georgia farm wineries compete with almost 40 other states that allow wineries to ship wine and sell products over the Internet.

The Georgia Winery, the state’s first farm winery, just needs some finishing touches on its online wine catalogue, said owner Patty Prouty, who expects a 20 percent bump in sales.

“We’ve got all the wine pictures and glasses, and we’ve got it good to go,” she said.

The direct shipping law allows an individual to order up to 12 cases of wine each year. Proof of being at least 21 is required upon delivery.

The Georgia Winery, which acts as its own wholesaler from its Catoosa County headquarters, has been working to ship wine for its 25 years of existence, Ms. Prouty said. Once the winery obtains a shipping license, she expects the purchase/delivery options to boost sales at least 20 percent by way of the Internet or out-oftowners who stop by and want wine to be shipped home.

“We get requests (for shipping) almost every day, mostly from people who have gotten our wine as a gift, really, from all over the U.S.,” Ms. Prouty said.

This year the direct shipping bill sailed overwhelmingly through the House and Senate. In previous years, such legislation was stifled by opposition from the wine wholesalers, the middlemen who sell the winery products to retailers. But this year they supported the bill with limits on the number of cases an individual could receive.

Also, Georgia, like many states, is looking to become compliant with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that doesn’t allow unfair advantages for in-state wineries over those out-of-state, said Steve Gibson, manager of Habersham Winery near Helen, Ga.

He said the bill got legislative support this year because wineries are seen as a growing industry, especially in rural areas.

“It was an economic decision as much as anything,” Mr. Gibson said.

Small wineries unable to attract wholesalers will be the ones to benefit most from the legislation, he said. But it also gives larger farm wineries like his a chance to ship to their “primary customers.”

“We’ve been able to ship out of state, but we’ve never been able to ship to our own residents in Georgia,” Mr. Gibson said.

Despite a strict stance against Sunday sales of alcohol at stores, Gov. Perdue also signed two other bills loosening up some other Sunday sales restrictions.

Limousine services now can sell alcohol to clients in their vehicles on Sundays.

Gov. Perdue also signed a bill that allows Sunday sales of beer at a Gwinnett County baseball stadium.

It was on the stadium sales bill that Rep. Roger Williams, R-Dalton, tried during the session to attach his legislation that would allow local governments to call for referendums and let voters decide whether to allow Sunday sales of alcohol at package and grocery stores in their jurisdiction.

The measure was never brought up for a vote in the House because of the a threat of a veto, complete with a rare editorial piece by Gov. Perdue published during the session and taking a stand against Sunday sales.

But Rep. Williams called it hypocritical for the governor to support the Gwinnett stadium bill and not allow Sunday sales referendums in general.

“He says he’s for economic development,” Rep. Williams said. “He’s not consistent with anything he’s doing down there.”

Rep. Williams has said he plans to bring up the Sunday package sales “first thing” next session, especially after indications from Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle earlier this month that he would allow the measure to come to a vote in the Senate.