Dec 5thProhibition Repealed!

From 1920 to 1933, citizens of the United States were prohibited by the 18th Amendment of the Constitution from making and consuming alcoholic beverages. On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified ending this period of Prohibition. We should all celebrate this day!

Before Prohibition, the United States had a successful wine industry. In fact, Kentucky was one of the biggest producers of wine during the 1800s. But this thirteen year period stopped the production and after 1933, it was slow to get started back. Things like the Depression and World War II slowed the development nationwide. Kentucky was delayed even longer due to some state laws that limited wineries from getting started. Thankfully, new laws in the 1990s allowed farm wineries to open their doors to all of us wine lovers.

Today, we can raise our glasses and toast the end of Prohibition, the growth of vineyards and wineries, and for the wine. It is a good day!