[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 241 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71290-71291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24364]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

27 CFR Parts 4, 9, and 70

[Notice No. 80; Re: Notice No. 78]
RIN 1513-AB39


Proposed Revision of American Viticultural Area Regulations; 
Extension of Comment Period

AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: In response to industry member requests, we are extending the 
comment period for Notice No. 78, Proposed Revision of American 
Viticultural Area Regulations, a notice of proposed rulemaking 
published in the Federal Register on November 20, 2007, for an 
additional 60 days.

DATES: Written comments on Notice No. 78 must now be received on or 
before March 20, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments on Notice No. 78 to one of the 
following addresses:
     http://www.regulations.gov (Federal e-rulemaking portal; 
follow the instructions for submitting comments); or
     Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, Alcohol and 
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, P.O. Box 14412, Washington, DC 20044-
4412.
    You may view copies of this notice, Notice No. 78, and any comments 
we receive about the proposals described in Notice No. 78 under Docket 
No. TTB-2007-0068 on the Regulations.gov Web site at http://www.regulations.gov. A link to Docket No. TTB-2007-0068 is also 
available on the TTB Web site at http://www.ttb.gov/regulations_laws/all_rulemaking.shtml, within the entry for Notice No. 78. In addition, 
you may view copies of the same materials described above by 
appointment at the TTB Information Resource Center, 1310 G Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20220. To make an appointment, call (202) 927-2400.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rita D. Butler, Regulations and 
Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G 
Street, NW., Suite 200-E, Washington, DC 20220; telephone: 202-927-
1608, fax: 202-927-8525.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 20, 2007, the Alcohol and 
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking in the Federal Register as Notice No. 78 (72 FR 65261) 
requesting comments on proposed amendments to our regulations regarding 
the use of geographic brand names found in 27 CFR part 4 and the 
establishment of American viticultural areas (AVAs) contained in 27 CFR 
part 9. The proposed amendments address the effect that the approval of 
an AVA may have on established brand names and clarify the rules for 
preparing, submitting, and processing viticultural area petitions. TTB 
also proposes to add to the regulations statements regarding the 
viticultural significance of established viticultural area names, or 
key portions of those names, for wine labeling purposes. As originally 
published, comments on Notice No. 78 are due on or before January 22, 
2008, 60 days after its publication.
    Also on November 20, 2007, TTB published Notice No. 77 in the 
Federal Register (72 FR 65256), a notice of proposed rulemaking 
regarding the establishment of the Calistoga viticultural area in Napa 
County, California. Specifically, Notice No. 77 sought comments on a 
proposal to provide ``grandfather'' protection for certain brand names 
used on existing certificates of label approval. As originally 
published, comments on Notice No. 77 are due on or before December 20, 
2007, 30 days after its publication.
    After the publication of Notice No. 78, TTB received three requests 
from wine industry groups to extend that notice's

[[Page 71291]]

comment period. Requests for 60-day extensions were received from the 
Napa Valley Vintners, a trade group representing over 300 Napa Valley 
(California) vintners, and the Wine Institute, a trade representing 
1,100 California wineries and wine-related businesses. The Oregon 
Winegrowers Association, a trade association with 239 grape grower and 
winery members, requested a 120-day extension.
    In support of its extension request, Napa Valley Vintners indicates 
that the proposed amendments to the AVA program cannot be considered by 
its membership within the announced comment period. The group states 
that it only meets once a month, and ``because of the complexity of the 
subjects covered in the Notice, the current holiday season and market 
visits already scheduled by our winery members during January, we will 
be unable to complete our deliberations and finalize our comments until 
after our general membership meeting in March.''
    The Wine Institute, in its comment period extension request, stated 
that Notice No. 78 ``is complex and far-reaching, and will affect many 
of our members.'' The Wine Institute also noted that the comment period 
deadline for Notice No. 78 runs up against the January 27, 2008, 
comment deadline for Notice No. 73, a notice of proposed rulemaking 
regarding ``Serving Facts'' labeling for alcohol beverages, ``which is 
already demanding a large part of our resources and membership 
participation,'' all of which is occurring during the holiday season 
when its membership ``is engaged in one of its busiest months of the 
year.'' In addition, the group adds that Notice Nos. 77 and 78 deal 
with similar issues ``that call for consistent rather than staggered 
comment periods.''
    The Oregon Winegrowers Association, noting the ``complex and 
lengthy'' proposals outlined in Notice No. 78, states that it will 
require additional time to thoroughly understand the full impact of the 
proposals, acquaint its board members with their meaning, garner 
consensus within the industry, and respond in detail to the notice's 
proposals.
    In response to these requests, TTB extends the original 60-day 
comment period for Notice No. 78 for an additional 60 days so that the 
comment period will equal 120 days. Therefore, comments on Notice No. 
77 are now due on or before March 20, 2008.

Drafting Information

    Michael Hoover of the Regulations and Rulings Division drafted this 
notice.

    Signed: December 11, 2007.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E7-24364 Filed 12-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P