Proposed Revision of the COLA Form
By William Moore (202) 927-8204

The COLA form, "Application for Certification/Exemption of Label/Bottle Approval," ATF F 5100.31 is being revised in part to accommodate future electronic filing of applications for Certificates of Label Approval.

We are proposing some revisions to the front of the COLA form. One of the more significant changes to the front of the form is the elimination of the vendor code.

Our draft of the back of the COLA form, however, differs dramatically from the current COLA form. The instructions for completing the form and conditions of approval are restructured. The conditions under which approved labels may be modified were changed to allow the deletion of any nonmandatory label information without submission of a new application for certificate of label approval.

Notice of our proposed revision was published in the Federal Register on February 13, 2002. To request copies of the notice and draft revised form, contact the Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division (ALFD) Customer Service Desk at (202) 927-8140 or toll free at 1-866-927-2533 or you can e-mail us at alfd@atfhq.atf.treas.gov. If you would like to comment on the form, please address your comments in writing to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Attn: Linda Barnes, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20226. Written comments must be received on or before April 15, 2002, to be assured of consideration. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail at alfd@atfhq.atf.treas.gov. q

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Yadkin Valley American Viticultural Area
By Timothy DeVanney (202) 927-8210

On February 7, 2002, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Notice No. 936), which proposes establishing an American viticultural area known as "Yadkin Valley." The notice is the result of a petition filed by Ms. Patricia McRitchie, on behalf of Shelton Vineyards, Inc., Dobson, North Carolina. The proposed viticultural area is in the State of North Carolina and encompasses Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin Counties, as well as portions of Stokes, Forsyth and Davie Counties. It is also located entirely within the Yadkin River Watershed. If this proposal is approved, "Yadkin Valley" will be the first viticultural area in the State of North Carolina.

The proposed area encompasses approximately 192.4 square miles or 1,231,000 acres. Within these boundaries there are over 30 growers that devote approximately 350 acres to the cultivation of wine grapes, three bonded wineries, and at least two wineries that are undergoing construction.

ATF requests comments on this proposal. Written comments must be received by April 8, 2002, and should be sent to the Chief, Regulations Division, Bureau of ATF, P.O. Box 50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221 (Attn: Notice No. 936). Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to nprm@atfhq.atf.treas.gov or by fax (if three pages or less) to (202) 927-8525.