Use of American Viticultural Area Names as Appellations of Origin on Wine Labels

Posted 02/09/2015

Notice No. 147, Use of American Viticultural Area Names as Appellations of Origin on Wine Labels.  On Monday, February 9, 2015, TTB published Notice No. 147 in the Federal Register, a notice of proposed rulemaking in which TTB proposes to allow the use of American Viticultural Area (AVA) names as appellations of origin on labels of wines that have been fully finished within a State adjacent to the State in which the AVA is located.  Current regulations require wines labeled with an AVA appellation of origin to be fully finished within the State in which the AVA is located.  The proposal would be consistent with the current TTB requirements for use of a State name as an appellation of origin on wine labels, and would provide greater flexibility in wine production and labeling while still ensuring that consumers are provided with adequate information as the identity of wines they purchase.

We wish to clarify that this proposal does not alter the TTB regulations regarding a winery's eligibility to use the term "estate bottled" on wine labels (see 27 CFR 4.26). A wine label may only bear an "estate bottled" claim if, among other things, the wine has been fully finished within the named AVA.

To view all documents and comments related to this proposal, go to Docket No. TTB-2015-0003 on the Regulations.gov website.  To submit a comment electronically, use the Regulations.gov comment form for Notice No. 147.  To submit comments by postal mail or hand delivery, see the instructions in the notice.  Comments on this proposal are due by April 10, 2015.  Read the related press release for Notice No. 147.

TTB is making this proposal in response to comments it received regarding Notice No. 142, Proposed Establishment of The Rocks District of Milton–Freewater Viticultural Area, which is located near the Oregon-Washington State line in northeastern Oregon; see Docket No. TTB-2014-0003 for all documents and comments related to this proposed AVA.