News

Wine kiosks roll out in Pennsylvania

October 31, 2010

The self-serve wine kiosk expanded into western Pennsylvania this month as the Market District and Giant Eagle grocery stores began installing the devices, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The kiosk was developed by Simple Brands LLC of Conshohocken, Pa.

The wine kiosk first opened in two Pennsylvania counties this summer to mixed reviews (See “Pennsylvania's new wine kiosks get panned,” June 24).

To purchase wine from the kiosk, the consumer must swipe her driver's license to prove that she's 21 or older and be viewed by a state Liquor Control Board employee through a video feed to confirm that she's the person on the license. The purchaser also must blow into a built-in breathalyzer panel to ensure her breath alcohol level is .019 or lower. 

The consumer selects wine from doors on the four refrigerator-sized units and pays with her credit or debit card.