Topeka ? Wine can be served at the Kansas State Fair and Kansans of legal drinking age will soon be able to order wine online, thanks to legislation signed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

The new law, which takes effect July 1, permits wineries both in Kansas and out-of-state to ship directly to consumers if they are at least 21 years old and make the purchase at the winery.

It also allows wineries, both inside and outside of the state, to fill Internet and phone orders placed from Kansas. Purchasers will have to pick up the wine at a liquor store.

Kansas wineries also could ship to other states in conformity with their laws.

Restaurants can let patrons take an open bottle of wine with them, if it is placed in a tamperproof transparent bag for the ride home.

Current Kansas law prohibits direct shipping of any wine, regardless of origin, but its 13 “farm wineries” are allowed to deliver their products directly to retail outlets.

The legislation was prompted by a May 2005 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said states that allow direct shipping of wine to in-state customers must give out-of-state wineries the same privilege.