An investigation that withered on the vine

Doug Miles, foreground, and Scott Osborn. (TU file photo)

• From the Albany Times Union’s “Followup On the News” column:

Some New York winery owners complained to then-Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in the winter of 2009 that liquor store operators were improperly threatening to freeze them out in retaliation for their campaign for a law to allow grocery stores to sell wine.

An investigation was demanded after some of the most vocal vintners received what they said were letters and phone calls attempting to intimidate them.

Jennifer Carlson, a representative of a group of wine-makers and grape growers, said an antitrust probe seemed warranted. Cuomo’s staff did begin an inquiry, she said. But she and some of the winery owners, such as Scott Osborn of Fox Run Vineyards, never found out what was learned.

"They called us and said there wasn't enough evidence," said Doug Miles, of Miles Wine Cellars in Himrod, Yates County. "There were a lot of wineries that sent in information about strong-arming to the AG's office. We thought we had a good case."

[Go here for the full story.]

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