TTB is accepting comments through June 15, 2015 on three proposed American Viticultural Areas (“AVAs”), as per a proposed rule in the Federal Register on April 14, 2015. The proposed AVAs are as follows:
- Lewis-Clark Valley Viticultural Area (Notice No. 149, Docket No. TTB-2015-0005): The proposed AVA of Lewis-Clark Valley includes 306,650-acres in sections of Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater and Latah Counties in Idaho and Asotin, Garfield, and Whitman Counties in Washington. This proposed rule also suggests a modification in the boundary of the currently-established Columbia Valley AVA to eliminate overlap with the proposed Lewis-Clark Valley AVA. One comment has currently been submitted with respect to this proposed rule, in addition to a collection of letters supporting the proposed AVA. For more information, see Letters Supporting Lewis-Clark Valley AVA, Lewis Clark AVA Petition, and Lewis-Clark Valley AVA Petition (Tables).
- Eagle Foothills Viticultural Area (Notice No. 150, Docket No. TTB–2015–0006): The proposed AVA of Eagle Foothills includes 49,815-acres in the counties of Gem and Ada in Idaho. Eagle Foothills is located entirely within the currently-established AVA Snake River Valley. To date, no comments have been received, however a very thorough petition (including evidence of for the name) was submitted to TTB. For more information, see Eagle Foothills AVA Petition and Name Evidence for Eagle Foothills.
- Lamorinda Viticultural Area (Notice No. 151, Docket No. TTB–2015-0007): The proposed AVA of Lamorinda includes 29,369-acres in Contra Costa County, California. There are presently two comments fully supporting the proposed AVA, in addition to the petition to establish the Lamorinda AVA. See Lamorinda AVA Petition.
AVAs exist to allow vintners to better designate their wines as viticultural areas have distinct profiles and can often relay significant information to a consumer about a wine. In a proposed rule, TTB summarizes evidence received from petitions detailing the name, boundaries, and distinguishing features of each proposed AVA. Evidence often includes the meso-climactic, geological, and historical information of each individual AVA.
For more information on wine or alcohol law, AVAs, or TTB matters, please contact Lindsey Zahn.
DISCLAIMER: This blog post is for general information purposes only, is not intended to constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship results. Please consult your own attorney for legal advice.