Prohibition- a brief overview of the history.

Prohibition began on January 16, 1920. A constitutional amendment (the eighteenth amendment) was passed that made it illegal to manufacture, transport, or sell any beverage that contained alcohol. Prohibition had a devastating effect on the hundreds of wineries that were in business at the time. A small fraction survived by making grape juices or beverages for religious ceremonies.

The leaders of the prohibition movement were concerned with the amount of drinking and the behavior that resulted. They felt that the problem would continue to grow if something wasn't done. These prohibition leaders planned strict enforcement and educational campaigns that would eventually lead to a non-drinking nation, in a few decades. Overall, these efforts were not terribly successful, although, the level of alcohol consumption in the early twenties was about 30% of that before prohibition. In fact it took quite a long time after the repeal of prohibition for the consumption rate to rise back to the pre-prohibition level.

It was thought by the organizers of the prohibition movement that many social problems would be solved, such as crime, corruption, overcrowded prisons and poorhouses, and poor health. Of course this effort created serious corruption and crime, as well as alcoholic beverages that were home made and much more dangerous.

Prohibition was repealed in 1933, but some feel that there are effects that still remain, mainly in the areas of direct sales and distribution where the laws can still be very restrictive. Many in the wine industry are working to remove obstacles that prevent wines from being shipped directly from the winery to the consumer.