LOCAL WINERIES THRIVE

Watch out California – Massachusetts wineries are on their way up! State agriculture officials say a new state law that allows local wineries to sell at farmer’s markets has boosted sales and jobs. According to a state survey, 18 wineries sold more than 34,OOO bottles of wines at 63 farmers markets and four agricultural fairs in 2O11. The sales totaled more than $5OO,OOO and resulted in a 66 percent increase in overall sales by those wineries last year. The survey also found that more than half of the wineries planned to take on additional full- or part-time employees, partly as a result of the increase in revenue. The law allowing sales of locally-produced wines at farmer’s markets was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick in 2O1O.