BOALSBURG, CENTRE COUNTY - Joe Carroll has been making his own wine since the early-1970s. In 2012, he sold approximately 60,000 bottles of it.
"It was a hobby for years," said Carroll, co-owner of Mt. Nittany Vineyards. "It's a source of income now."
However, over the last two years, Carroll started to notice the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board selling its own brand of wine, Table Leaf.
"They buy bulk wine in California, bottle it and sell it here," he said.
Complicating matters is the fact that Carroll sells some of his wine through the PLCB's state-run stores.
Carroll says he doesn't anticipate any problems competing with the Commonwealth when it comes to selling wine, but he does think that it could be hurtful to newer vineyards and wineries.
Carroll believes there's a bigger conversation to be had about the growing presence of the PLCB.
"It has to do more with what the function of a public agency should be," he said. "This is far different from the time it started as a regulator and controller of alcohol."
Carroll added that his winery enjoys a great relationship with the PLCB, but he wonders about what else the agency might sell in the future.
"How far will it go in competing?" he asked.
A spokesperson for the PLCB told WTAJ the agency's wine brands are part of its plans to provide a better quality product at a competitive price-point for consumers.
The spokesperson also told WTAJ the agency simply wants more selection and choice for the consumer.
Currently, the PLCB sells eight different brands of wine.
To follow more reporting from WTAJ Reporter Cody Combs, follow him on Facebook here...
"It was a hobby for years," said Carroll, co-owner of Mt. Nittany Vineyards. "It's a source of income now."
However, over the last two years, Carroll started to notice the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board selling its own brand of wine, Table Leaf.
"They buy bulk wine in California, bottle it and sell it here," he said.
Complicating matters is the fact that Carroll sells some of his wine through the PLCB's state-run stores.
Carroll says he doesn't anticipate any problems competing with the Commonwealth when it comes to selling wine, but he does think that it could be hurtful to newer vineyards and wineries.
Carroll believes there's a bigger conversation to be had about the growing presence of the PLCB.
"It has to do more with what the function of a public agency should be," he said. "This is far different from the time it started as a regulator and controller of alcohol."
Carroll added that his winery enjoys a great relationship with the PLCB, but he wonders about what else the agency might sell in the future.
"How far will it go in competing?" he asked.
A spokesperson for the PLCB told WTAJ the agency's wine brands are part of its plans to provide a better quality product at a competitive price-point for consumers.
The spokesperson also told WTAJ the agency simply wants more selection and choice for the consumer.
Currently, the PLCB sells eight different brands of wine.
To follow more reporting from WTAJ Reporter Cody Combs, follow him on Facebook here...
