AUGUSTA — A bill to allow Mainers to get wine shipped directly to their homes earned initial approval Friday in the Maine Senate.

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Lynn Bromley, D-South Portland, also allows Maine wineries to ship to consumers in other states, according to the Senate Majority Office.

“We have been working on this legislation for years,” Bromley said in a statement. “I think this time we have sufficient protections to overcome the doubters.”

The bill requires the seller to use a shipping company that will confirm that the recipient is over 21 before they deliver the wine. The bill requires further votes in the House and Senate.