The state House overwhelmingly approved legislation this afternoon that would let Georgians buy cases of wine over the Internet from farm wineries.

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House members also passed legislation letting wineries in Georgia sell beer and liquor as well as wine in their tasting rooms.

The legislation to allow direct wine purchases from wineries has been held up in the past by Georgia's liquor industry, which didn't want the competition. However, liquor industry lobbyists worked with the measure's sponsor, Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), to limit the scope of the legislation.

Under Stephens' direct shipping bill, which passed 126-8, Georgians would be allowed to order up to 12 cases of wine a year from farm wineries. Stephens argues the change will help Georgia's wineries because their products are not always available in grocery and liquor stores. It will also help Georgians who want to purchase cases from heavy wine-growing areas such as California.

Georgians would have to verify they are 21 or older to order the wine. Stephens said an online age verification system will be used to make sure wineries aren't selling to minors. He said 37 other states allow such sales and officials in those states haven't had a problems with wine being shipped to minors.