Collector’s 2,447 bottles headed for the sink

A Philadelphia lawyer is fighting plans by the authorities to destroy almost two and a half thousand bottles of fine wine seized earlier this year.

Photo: Chainbridge Cellars

As reported by the drinks business, Arthur Goldman was charged in January with illegally re-selling wines in contravention of Pennsylvania’s strict liquor laws.

Goldman was selling wines that were mainly unavailable locally to a small group of fellow wine lovers when he was caught in an sting by undercover police.

Goldman has accepted penalties of 300 hours of community service and two years probation but is fighting the destruction of his collection which is made up of wines from some of the top producers in the US including Turely, Kistler and Kosta Browne.

Speaking to Bloomberg, J.J. Abbott, a spokesman for the office of state Attorney General Kathleen Kane, responsible for forfeiture, said a hearing on whether the wine would be destroyed may be scheduled after Goldman filed his argument within 30 days.

Arthur Goldman could see his wine collection destroyed.

But for the authorities the only legal options are donation to a hospital or destruction and under normal circumstances seized alcohol goes down the sink.

Meanwhile, the fine wines are being stored in a police evidence room, probably not the ideal cellar.

Pennsylvania is the only US state other than Utah to control liquor operations and residents must purchase wine and spirits from state stores or in-state wineries.