[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 196 (Thursday, October 9, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60968-60974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24177]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

27 CFR Part 9

[Docket No. TTB-2013-0004; T.D. TTB-124; Ref: Notice No. 135]
RIN 1513-AB96


Establishment of the Eagle Peak Mendocino County Viticultural 
Area and Realignments of the Mendocino and Redwood Valley Viticultural 
Areas

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

ACTION: Final rule; Treasury decision.

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SUMMARY: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) establishes 
the approximately 26,260-acre ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County'' 
viticultural area in Mendocino County, California. The viticultural 
area lies entirely within the multi-county North Coast viticultural 
area. TTB also modifies the boundaries of the Mendocino viticultural 
area and the Redwood Valley viticultural area to eliminate overlaps 
with the Eagle Peak Mendocino County viticultural area. TTB designates 
viticultural areas to

[[Page 60969]]

allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to 
allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase.

DATES: This final rule is effective November 10, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen A. Thornton, Regulations and 
Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G 
Street NW., Box 12, Washington, DC 20005; phone 202-453-1039, ext. 175.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background on Viticultural Areas

TTB Authority

    Section 105(e) of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act), 
27 U.S.C. 205(e), authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe 
regulations for the labeling of wine, distilled spirits, and malt 
beverages. The FAA Act provides that these regulations should, among 
other things, prohibit consumer deception and the use of misleading 
statements on labels, and ensure that labels provide the consumer with 
adequate information as to the identity and quality of the product. The 
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) administers the FAA Act 
pursuant to section 1111(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, 
codified at 6 U.S.C. 531(d). The Secretary has delegated various 
authorities through Treasury Department Order 120-01 (Revised), dated 
December 10, 2013, to the TTB Administrator to perform the functions 
and duties in the administration and enforcement of this law.
    Part 4 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 4) allows the 
establishment of definitive viticultural areas and the use of their 
names as appellations of origin on wine labels and in wine 
advertisements. Part 9 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 9) sets 
forth standards for the preparation and submission of petitions for the 
establishment or modification of American viticultural areas (AVAs) and 
lists the approved AVAs.

Definition

    Section 4.25(e)(1)(i) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(1)(i)) 
defines a viticultural area for American wine as a delimited grape-
growing region having distinguishing features as described in part 9 of 
the regulations and a name and a delineated boundary as established in 
part 9 of the regulations. These designations allow vintners and 
consumers to attribute a given quality, reputation, or other 
characteristic of a wine made from grapes grown in an area to its 
geographic origin. The establishment of AVAs allows vintners to 
describe more accurately the origin of their wines to consumers and 
helps consumers to identify wines they may purchase. Establishment of 
an AVA is neither an approval nor an endorsement by TTB of the wine 
produced in that area.

Requirements

    Section 4.25(e)(2) of the TTB regulations outlines the procedure 
for proposing an AVA and provides that any interested party may 
petition TTB to establish a grape-growing region as an AVA. Section 
9.12 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 9.12) prescribes standards for 
petitions for the establishment of AVAs. Petitions to establish an AVA 
must include the following:
     Evidence that the area within the proposed AVA boundary is 
nationally or locally known by the AVA name specified in the petition;
     An explanation of the basis for defining the boundary of 
the proposed AVA;
     A narrative description of the features of the proposed 
AVA that affect viticulture, such as climate, geology, soils, physical 
features, and elevation, that make the proposed AVA distinctive and 
distinguish it from adjacent areas outside the proposed AVA boundary;
     A copy of the appropriate United States Geological Survey 
(USGS) map(s) showing the location of the proposed AVA, with the 
boundary of the proposed AVA clearly drawn thereon; and
     A detailed narrative description of the proposed AVA 
boundary based on USGS map markings.

Eagle Peak Mendocino County Petition

    TTB received three petitions on behalf of local grape growers from 
Ralph Jens Carter, one proposing the establishment of the ``Eagle Peak 
Mendocino County'' AVA and two separate companion petitions proposing 
the modification of the boundaries of the existing ``Mendocino'' AVA 
(27 CFR 9.93) and ``Redwood Valley'' AVA (27 CFR 9.153). The proposed 
AVA and the two existing AVAs lie entirely within Mendocino County and 
the multi-county North Coast AVA (27 CFR 9.30). The proposed Eagle Peak 
Mendocino County AVA contains approximately 26,260 acres, of which 
approximately 120 acres are dedicated to 16 commercially producing 
vineyards. The proposed AVA lies to the west of both the Redwood Valley 
AVA and the eastern portion of the V-shaped Mendocino AVA. According to 
the petition, the distinguishing features of the proposed Eagle Peak 
Mendocino County AVA include its marine-influenced climate, strong 
breezes, mountainous topography, and shallow soils with low water-
holding capabilities.
    As originally proposed, a small portion of the Eagle Peak Mendocino 
County AVA would overlap portions of the Redwood Valley and Mendocino 
AVAs. To eliminate the potential overlaps, the petitioner later 
proposed modifying the boundaries of the Redwood Valley and Mendocino 
AVAs. The proposed boundary modifications would eliminate the potential 
overlaps and would remove the overlapped areas from the Redwood Valley 
and Mendocino AVAs. The proposed modifications would reduce the size of 
the 32,047-acre Redwood Valley AVA by approximately 1,430 acres and 
reduce the size of the 327,437-acre Mendocino AVA by approximately 
1,900 acres. The overlapping areas would then become part of the Eagle 
Peak Mendocino County AVA.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Comments Received

    TTB published Notice No. 135 in the Federal Register on June 27, 
2013 (78 FR 38613), proposing to establish the Eagle Peak Mendocino 
County AVA and modify the boundaries of the Redwood Valley and 
Mendocino AVAs. In the notice, TTB summarized the evidence from the 
petition regarding the name, boundary, and distinguishing features for 
the proposed viticultural area. The distinguishing features of the 
proposed viticultural area include climate, geology, topography, and 
soils. The notice also compared the distinguishing features of the 
proposed viticultural area to the surrounding areas. For a description 
of the evidence relating to the name, boundary, and distinguishing 
features of the proposed viticultural area, and for a comparison of the 
distinguishing features of the proposed viticultural area to the 
surrounding areas, see Notice No. 135.
    In Notice No. 135, TTB solicited comments on the accuracy of the 
name, boundary, climatic, and other required information submitted in 
support of the petition. In addition, given the proposed AVA's location 
within the existing North Coast AVA, TTB solicited comments on whether 
the evidence submitted in the petition regarding the distinguishing 
features of the proposed AVA sufficiently differentiates the proposed 
viticultural area from the North Coast AVA. TTB also asked for comments 
on whether the geographical features of the proposed viticultural area 
are so distinguishable from the surrounding North Coast AVA that the

[[Page 60970]]

proposed Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA should no longer be part of 
the existing viticultural area. Finally, TTB asked for comments on the 
proposed modification of the Redwood Valley and Mendocino AVAs and 
whether the evidence presented in the proposed Eagle Peak Mendocino 
County AVA petition sufficiently differentiated the overlapped regions 
from the established AVAs to warrant removing the overlapped regions 
from the two AVAs and including the overlapping regions entirely within 
the Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA. The comment period on Notice No. 
135 closed on August 26, 2013.
    In response to Notice No. 135, TTB received a total of seven 
comments, six of which supported the establishment of the Eagle Peak 
Mendocino County viticultural area and the realignment of the Redwood 
Valley and Mendocino AVA boundaries. Commenters included local 
residents, vineyard owners, and winemakers, as well as a local winery 
organization. None of the comments received during the comment period 
addressed the question of whether the Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA 
is so distinguishable from the North Coast AVA that it should no longer 
be part of the North Coast AVA. TTB received no comments in opposition 
of either the Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA, as proposed, or the 
proposed boundary modifications.
    Only one of the seven comments specifically addressed the proposed 
modification of the Redwood Valley and Mendocino AVAs' boundaries 
(comment 3). The commenter, who owns a vineyard that is within the 
proposed AVA but not within the proposed realignment area, supported 
the proposed boundary modifications because ``[t]he Eagle Peak area is 
all upland, mountainous terrain with shallow soils, while Redwood 
Valley is mostly level with deep soils'' and the Mendocino AVA 
``contains many different characteristics and is not limited to the 
upland area.'' TTB notes that there are two vineyards located within 
the proposed realignment area, and the petition included letters from 
both vineyard owners in support of the proposed boundary modifications.
    The seventh comment (comment 7) requested an extension of the 
comment period so that the commenter could further review the proposed 
rule. The extension request was received too late for TTB to extend the 
original comment period. Therefore, TTB published Notice No. 135A in 
the Federal Register on August 28, 2013 (78 FR 53103), re-opening the 
comment period for an additional 60 days, until October 28, 2013.

Comments Received During the Re-opened Comment Period

    During the re-opened comment period, TTB received six additional 
comments regarding the proposed establishment of the Eagle Peak 
Mendocino County AVA and the realignment of the Redwood Valley and 
Mendocino AVAs. Two of the six comments specifically supported the 
proposed AVA (comments 9 and 10). One of the two comments was from a 
wine marketing and sales consultant, and the second comment was from 
the United States Representative from the district that includes the 
proposed Eagle Peak Mendocino County viticultural area. Comment 10 also 
specifically supported the proposed realignment of the Redwood Valley 
AVA boundary, stating that the proposed realignment area consists of 
mountainous and hillside terrain that is more consistent with the 
terrain of the proposed Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA than the 
flatter, lower terrain found within the majority of the Redwood Valley 
AVA.
    Two of the comments received during the re-opened comment period 
did not address the substance of the proposed rulemaking. One of those 
two commenters stated that he neither supported nor opposed 
establishment of the proposed AVA or the proposed boundary 
modifications, but rather requested that TTB remove the periods from 
the township and range designations in the proposed regulatory text of 
Sec.  9.93 so as to conform to the style of the current regulatory text 
for that section (comment 8). TTB notes that the periods in the 
proposed regulatory text are consistent with the style of the current 
regulatory text of Sec.  9.93, and the proposed amendment to the 
section will be adopted as final without change. The other comment 
(comment 11), which was addressed to the Department of Justice, called 
for stronger alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives transfer 
regulations, topics which are outside the scope of the proposed rule. 
Accordingly, that topic will not be addressed in this rulemaking.

Comments Regarding Proposed AVA Name

    The final two comments received during the re-opened comment period 
addressed the proposed AVA name. One comment was in the form of a 
letter from an attorney on behalf of his client, Fetzer Vineyards of 
Hopland, California (comment 12). Fetzer Vineyards is currently owned 
by Vi[ntilde]a Concha y Toro SA and is no longer associated with the 
Fetzer family, including Jacob and Ben Fetzer, who own Masut Vineyards, 
and John Fetzer, who owns Saracina Vineyards. Both Masut Vineyards and 
Saracina Vineyards are within the proposed Eagle Peak Mendocino County 
AVA, and Jacob, John, and Ben Fetzer are signatories to the petition to 
establish that AVA.
    Comment 12 stated that Fetzer Vineyards does not object to the 
establishment of the proposed AVA but does object to the proposed Eagle 
Peak Mendocino County name. According to the comment, the petitioners 
failed to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate both that the 
region of the proposed AVA is known as ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County'' 
and that the proposed name is associated with an area known for 
viticulture. Instead, the comment stated that the region is known as 
either ``Forsythe Creek'' or ``Walker Valley.'' As evidence, the 
comment referenced USDA soil surveys from 1910 that were included in 
the original petition. In those soil surveys, the region of the 
proposed AVA is described as a ``cohesive unit, referred to as Forsythe 
Creek Valley and Forsythe Creek Gap.'' The comment also noted that 
there is a large valley within the proposed AVA that is labeled on USGS 
maps as ``Walker Valley.''
    Finally, comment 12 stated that if TTB established the proposed AVA 
with the name ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County,'' the public would confuse 
the AVA name with the Fetzer Vineyards' ``Eagle Peak Merlot'' brand 
name. Furthermore, comment 12 claimed that Fetzer Vineyards would 
become legally barred from continuing the use of its brand name, since 
it would be unable to source enough grapes from within the proposed AVA 
or Mendocino County.
    In response to comment 12, Jacob Fetzer, owner of Masut Vineyards, 
submitted a comment (comment 13) on behalf of the petitioners for the 
proposed Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA. Comment 13 challenged the 
claim that the petition failed to provide adequate evidence that the 
proposed AVA is known as ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County.'' The comment 
also disagreed with the claim that the proposed name would cause 
consumer confusion and force Fetzer Vineyards to abandon its ``Eagle 
Peak Merlot'' brand name.
    After consideration of the petition and the two comments regarding 
the proposed name, TTB has determined that the petition to establish 
the Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA contained sufficient evidence 
showing that the region of the proposed AVA is currently

[[Page 60971]]

known by that name. TTB finds that comment 12 did not provide evidence 
that the region of the proposed AVA is not known as Eagle Peak 
Mendocino County, nor did it provide any evidence that the region is 
currently known as either ``Forsythe Creek'' or ``Walker Valley.'' 
Although old USDA soil surveys do refer to the area as ``Forsythe Creek 
Valley'' or ``Forsythe Creek Gap,'' TTB regulations require the name 
evidence to show that the region of the proposed AVA is currently known 
by the proposed name.
    With respect to the statement in comment 12 that the petition must 
provide evidence that the proposed AVA name has historical significance 
with regard to viticulture, TTB notes that its regulations (27 CFR 
9.12(a)(1)) only require the petition to demonstrate that the proposed 
AVA name is ``currently and directly associated with an area in which 
viticulture exists.'' The regulations do not require that the proposed 
name itself be associated with viticulture, only that viticulture must 
be taking place within the region known by the proposed AVA name. The 
petition to establish the Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA provided the 
names of the commercial vineyards within the proposed AVA as evidence 
of current viticultural activity within the region known by the 
proposed name.
    Finally, with respect to the claim that Fetzer Vineyards would be 
forced to abandon its ``Eagle Peak Merlot'' brand name if the proposed 
AVA is established with the name Eagle Peak Mendocino County, TTB notes 
that Notice No. 135 explicitly proposed that only the full name of the 
proposed AVA be designated as a term of viticultural significance. 
Furthermore, Notice No. 135 specifically stated, and this rulemaking 
re-confirms, that any wine bottlers using ``Eagle Peak,'' standing 
alone, as a brand name on a wine label would be able to continue to use 
the brand name. The establishment of the proposed Eagle Peak Mendocino 
County AVA would not affect Fetzer Vineyards' ability to bottle wine 
under the ``Eagle Peak Merlot'' brand name, regardless of where the 
grapes used to make the wine were grown. TTB also believes that the 
proposed AVA name ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County'' is sufficiently 
distinct from the brand name ``Eagle Peak Merlot'' and is unlikely to 
cause consumer confusion.

TTB Determination

    After careful review of the petition and all 13 of the comments 
received in response to Notice No. 135, TTB finds that the evidence 
provided by the petitioner supports the establishment of the 
approximately 26,260-acre Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA and the 
modification of the boundaries of the Redwood Valley and Mendocino 
AVAs. Accordingly, under the authority of the FAA Act, section 1111(d) 
of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and part 4 of the TTB 
regulations, TTB establishes the ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County'' AVA in 
Mendocino County, California.
    TTB has also determined that the land within the AVA will remain 
part of the larger North Coast AVA. The Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA 
experiences the marine fog and breezes that are the primary features of 
the North Coast AVA. However, due to its much smaller size, the soil, 
terrain, and climate of the Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA are more 
uniform than those of the large, multi-county North Coast AVA. The 
uniqueness of the soil, terrain, and climate of the Eagle Peak 
Mendocino County AVA also distinguish the AVA from the surrounding 
region. Therefore, TTB is recognizing the Eagle Peak Mendocino County 
area as a distinct AVA within the larger North Coast AVA.
    Furthermore, TTB modifies the boundaries of the Redwood Valley and 
Mendocino AVAs as described in Notice No. 135. TTB has determined that 
the mountainous terrain, shallow soils, cool growing season 
temperatures, and gusty winds of the realignment area described in 
Notice No. 135 are more consistent with the features of the Eagle Peak 
Mendocino County AVA than with the low level valleys, deep alluvial 
soils, and warm temperatures of the Redwood Valley and Mendocino AVAs. 
Therefore, TTB is removing the realignment area from the Redwood Valley 
and Mendocino AVAs and placing it entirely within the Eagle Peak 
Mendocino County AVA. These changes are effective 30 days from the date 
of publication of this document.

Boundary Description

    See the narrative boundary description of the Eagle Peak Mendocino 
County AVA and the modified boundaries of the Redwood Valley and 
Mendocino AVAs in the regulatory text published at the end of this 
final rule.

Maps

    The petitioner provided the required maps, and they are listed 
below in the regulatory text.

Impact on Current Wine Labels

    Part 4 of the TTB regulations prohibits any label reference on a 
wine that indicates or implies an origin other than the wine's true 
place of origin. With the establishment of this AVA, its name, ``Eagle 
Peak Mendocino County,'' will be recognized as a name of viticultural 
significance under 27 CFR 4.39(i)(3). The text of the regulation 
clarifies this point. Once this final rule becomes effective, wine 
bottlers using the name ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County'' in a brand 
name, including a trademark, or in another label reference as to the 
origin of the wine, will have to ensure that the product is eligible to 
use the viticultural name as an appellation of origin.
    The establishment of the Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA will not 
affect any existing viticultural area, and any bottlers using ``North 
Coast'' as an appellation of origin or in a brand name for wines made 
from grapes grown within the North Coast viticultural areas will not be 
affected by the establishment of this new viticultural area. The 
establishment of the Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA will allow 
vintners to use ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County'' and ``North Coast'' as 
appellations of origin for wines made from grapes grown within the 
Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA if the wines meet the eligibility 
requirements for the appellation.
    For a wine to be labeled with an AVA name or with a brand name that 
includes an AVA name, at least 85 percent of the wine must be derived 
from grapes grown within the area represented by that name, and the 
wine must meet the other conditions listed in 27 CFR 4.25(e)(3). If the 
wine is not eligible for labeling with an AVA name and that name 
appears in the brand name, then the label is not in compliance and the 
bottler must change the brand name and obtain approval of a new label. 
Similarly, if the AVA name appears in another reference on the label in 
a misleading manner, the bottler would have to obtain approval of a new 
label.
    Different rules apply if a wine has a brand name containing an AVA 
name that was used as a brand name on a label approved before July 7, 
1986. See 27 CFR 4.39(i)(2) for details.

Transition Period

    Once this final rule to establish the Eagle Peak Mendocino County 
AVA and to modify the boundaries of the Redwood Valley and Mendocino 
AVAs becomes effective, a transition rule will apply to labels for 
wines produced from grapes grown in the areas that were formerly within 
the Redwood Valley and Mendocino AVAs. A label containing the words 
``Redwood Valley'' or ``Mendocino'' (other than in the

[[Page 60972]]

phrase ``Mendocino County'' or ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County'') in the 
brand name or as an appellation of origin may be used on such wine 
bottled for up to two years from the effective date of this final rule, 
provided that such label was approved prior to the effective date of 
this final rule and that the wine conforms to the standards for use of 
the label set forth in 27 CFR 4.25 or 4.39(i) in effect prior to the 
final rule. At the end of this two-year transition period, if a wine is 
no longer eligible for labeling with the Redwood Valley or Mendocino 
AVA names (e.g., less than 85 percent of the wine is derived from 
grapes grown in the Redwood Valley or Mendocino AVAs, as modified in 
this final rule), then a label containing the words ``Redwood Valley'' 
or ``Mendocino'' (other than in the phrase ``Mendocino County'' or 
``Eagle Peak Mendocino County'') in the brand name or as an appellation 
of origin would not be permitted on the bottle. TTB believes that the 
two-year period should provide affected label holders with adequate 
time to use up any existing labels. This transition period is described 
in the regulatory text for the Redwood Valley and Mendocino AVAs 
published at the end of this final rule. TTB notes that wine eligible 
for labeling with the Redwood Valley or Mendocino viticultural areas 
names under the new boundaries of the Redwood Valley and Mendocino AVAs 
will not be affected by this two-year transition period.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    TTB certifies that this regulation will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The 
regulation imposes no new reporting, recordkeeping, or other 
administrative requirement. Any benefit derived from the use of a 
viticultural area name would be the result of a proprietor's efforts 
and consumer acceptance of wines from that area. Therefore, no 
regulatory flexibility analysis is required.

Executive Order 12866

    It has been determined that this rule is not a significant 
regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 
1993. Therefore, no regulatory assessment is required.

Drafting Information

    Karen A. Thornton of the Regulations and Rulings Division drafted 
this final rule.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9

    Wine.

The Regulatory Amendment

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, TTB amends title 27, 
chapter I, part 9, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART 9--AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREAS

0
1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  27 U.S.C. 205.

Subpart C--Approved American Viticultural Areas

0
2. Amend Sec.  9.93 by revising paragraph (c)(7), redesignating 
paragraphs (c)(8) through (19) as paragraphs (c)(16) through (27), and 
adding new paragraphs (c)(8) through (15), and adding paragraph (d) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  9.93  Mendocino.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (7) Thence due west along the T.18N./T.17N. common line until the 
common line intersects with the R.13W./R.12W. common line;
    (8) Thence in a straight line in a south-southwesterly direction, 
crossing onto the Willits map, to the intersection of the 1,600-foot 
contour line and Baker Creek (within McGee Canyon) along the west 
boundary line of Section 25, T.17N./R.13W.;
    (9) Thence in a southeasterly direction (downstream) along Bakers 
Creek to where the creek intersects with the 1,400-foot contour line in 
Section 25, T.17N/R.13W.;
    (10) Thence in a straight line in a southeasterly direction to the 
southeast corner of Section 36, T.17N./R.13W.;
    (11) Thence in a straight line in a west-southwesterly direction to 
the intersection of U.S. Highway 101 and an unnamed road known locally 
as Reeves Canyon Road in Section 1, T.16N./R.13W.;
    (12) Thence in a straight line in a southeasterly direction to the 
southeast corner of Section 1, T.16N./R.13W.;
    (13) Thence in a straight line in a south-southwesterly direction 
to the intersection of an unnamed, unimproved road and an unnamed, 
intermittent stream, approximately 500 feet south of Seward Creek, in 
Section 12, T.16N./R.13W.;
    (14) Thence in a straight line in a west-southwesterly direction to 
the southwest corner of Section 12, T.16N./R.13W.;
    (15) Thence in a straight line in a southwesterly direction to the 
southwest corner of Section 14, T.16N./R.13W.;
* * * * *
    (d) Transition period. A label containing the word ``Mendocino'' in 
the brand name (other than in the phrase ``Mendocino County'' or 
``Eagle Peak Mendocino County'') or as an appellation of origin 
approved prior to November 10, 2014 may be used on wine bottled before 
November 10, 2016 if the wine conforms to the standards for use of the 
label set forth in Sec.  4.25 or Sec.  4.39(i) of this chapter in 
effect prior to November 10, 2014.

0
3. Amend Sec.  9.153 by revising paragraphs (c)(1) through (9) and 
adding paragraphs (c)(10) through (12) and (d) to read as follows:


Sec.  9.153  Redwood Valley.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (1) The beginning point is in the northeastern portion of the Ukiah 
map at the point where State Highway 20 crosses the R11W/R12W range 
line along the south bank of the East Fork of the Russian River, T16N/
R12W. From the beginning point, proceed north along the R11W/R12W range 
line, crossing onto the Redwood Valley map, to the northeast corner of 
section 1, T16N/R12W; then
    (2) Proceed west along the northern boundary of section 1 to the 
section's northwest corner, T16N/R12W; then
    (3) Proceed north along the eastern boundary lines of sections 35, 
26, 23, 14, 11, and 2 to the T17N/T18N common boundary line at the 
northeast corner of section 2, T17N/R12W; then
    (4) Proceed west along the T17N/T18N common line to the northwest 
corner of section 6, T17N/R12W; then
    (5) Proceed south-southwesterly in a straight line, crossing onto 
the Laughlin Range map, to the intersection of the 1,400-foot contour 
line and Bakers Creek within McGee Canyon, section 25, T17N/R13W; then
    (6) Proceed southeasterly in a straight line approximately 1.5 
miles, crossing onto the Redwood Valley map, to the southeast corner of 
section 36, T17N/R13W; then
    (7) Proceed west-southwesterly in a straight line approximately 
0.55 mile, crossing onto the Laughlin Range map, to the intersection of 
U.S. Highway 101 and an unnamed road known locally as Reeves Canyon 
Road, section 1, T16N/R13W; then
    (8) Proceed southeasterly in a straight line approximately 0.9 
mile, crossing onto the Redwood Valley map, to the southeast corner of 
section 1, T16N/R13W; then

[[Page 60973]]

    (9) Proceed south-southwesterly in a straight line approximately 
0.65 mile to the intersection of an unnamed, unimproved road and an 
unnamed, intermittent stream, approximately 500 feet south of Seward 
Creek, section 12, T16N/R13W; then
    (10) Proceed west-southwesterly in a straight line approximately 
0.9 mile, crossing onto the Laughlin Range map, to the southwest corner 
of section 12, T16N/R13W; then
    (11) Proceed east-southeasterly in a straight line, crossing onto 
the far northeastern corner of the Orrs Springs map, then continuing 
onto the Ukiah map, to the intersection of State Highway 20 and a road 
known locally as North State Street (old U.S. Highway 101), north of 
Calpella, T16N/R12W; then
    (12) Proceed easterly along State Highway 20, returning to the 
beginning point.
    (d) Transition period. A label containing the words ``Redwood 
Valley'' in the brand name or as an appellation of origin approved 
prior to November 10, 2014 may be used on wine bottled before November 
10, 2016 if the wine conforms to the standards for use of the label set 
forth in Sec.  4.25 or Sec.  4.39(i) of this chapter in effect prior to 
November 10, 2014.

0
4. Add Sec.  9.237 to read as follows:


Sec.  9.237  Eagle Peak Mendocino County.

    (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this 
section is ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County''. For purposes of part 4 of 
this chapter, ``Eagle Peak Mendocino County'' is a term of viticultural 
significance.
    (b) Approved maps. The four United States Geographical Survey 
(USGS) 1:24,000 scale topographic maps used to determine the boundary 
of the Eagle Peak Mendocino County viticultural area are titled:
    (1) Laughlin Range, California, provisional edition 1991;
    (2) Redwood Valley, Calif., 1960, photo revised 1975;
    (3) Orrs Springs, California, provisional edition 1991; and
    (4) Greenough Ridge, California, provisional edition 1991.
    (c) Boundary. The Eagle Peak Mendocino County viticultural area is 
located in Mendocino County, California. The boundary of the Eagle Peak 
Mendocino County viticultural area is as follows:
    (1) The beginning point is located on the Laughlin Range map within 
McGee Canyon at the point where the 1,600-foot contour line intersects 
with Bakers Creek near the western boundary of section 25, T17N/R13W. 
From the beginning point, proceed southeasterly (downstream) 
approximately 0.2 mile along Bakers Creek to the creek's intersection 
with the 1,400-foot contour line, section 25, T17N/R13W; then
    (2) Proceed southeasterly in a straight line approximately 1.5 
miles, crossing onto the Redwood Valley map, to the southeast corner of 
section 36, T17N/R13W; then
    (3) Proceed west-southwesterly in a straight line approximately 
0.55 mile, crossing onto the Laughlin Range map, to the intersection of 
U.S. Highway 101 and an unnamed road locally known as Reeves Canyon 
Road, section 1, T16N/R13W; then
    (4) Proceed southeasterly in a straight line approximately 0.9 
mile, crossing onto the Redwood Valley map, to the southeast corner of 
section 1, T16N/R13W; then
    (5) Proceed south-southwesterly in a straight line approximately 
0.65 mile to the intersection of an unnamed, unimproved road and an 
unnamed intermittent stream located approximately 500 feet south of 
Seward Creek, section 12, T16N/R13W; then
    (6) Proceed west-southwesterly in a straight line approximately 0.9 
mile, crossing onto the Laughlin Ridge map, to the southwest corner of 
section 12, T16N/R13W; then
    (7) Proceed west-southwesterly in a straight line approximately 0.8 
mile, crossing onto the Orrs Springs map, to the 1,883-foot elevation 
point in section 14, T16N/R13W; then
    (8) Proceed west-southwesterly in a series of three straight lines 
(totaling approximately 3.15 miles in distance), first to the 1,836-
foot elevation point in section 15, T16N/R13W; then to the 1,805-foot 
elevation point in section 16, T16N/R13W; and then to the 2,251-foot 
elevation point in section 20, T16W/R13W; then
    (9) Proceed south-southwesterly in a straight line approximately 
0.8 mile to the 2,562-foot elevation point, section 20, T16N/R13W; then
    (10) Proceed north-northwesterly in a straight line approximately 
0.8 mile to the 2,218-foot elevation point, section 19, T16N/R13W; then
    (11) Proceed northeasterly in a straight line approximately 0.35 
mile to the 2,112-foot elevation point in the southeast corner of 
section 18, T16N/R13W; then
    (12) Proceed north-northeasterly in a straight line approximately 
0.9 mile to the 2,344-foot elevation point, section 17, T16N/R13W; then
    (13) Proceed northwesterly in a straight line approximately 1.8 
miles, crossing onto the Laughlin Range map, to the intersection of the 
R13W/R14W common boundary line and an unnamed, unimproved road east of 
Leonard Lake, section 1, T16N/R14W; then
    (14) Proceed west-northwesterly along the unnamed, unimproved road 
to the road's intersection with the 2,000 foot contour line between 
Leonard Lake and Mud Lake, section 1, T16N/R13W; then
    (15) Proceed north-northwesterly in a straight line approximately 
1.6 miles, crossing onto the Greenough Ridge map, to the 2,246-foot 
elevation point, section 26, T17N/R14W; then
    (16) Proceed northerly in a straight line approximately 0.9 mile to 
the 2,214-foot elevation point, section 23, T17N/R14W; then
    (17) Proceed northeasterly in a straight line approximately 1 mile, 
crossing onto the Laughlin Range map, to the peak of Impassable Rocks, 
section 24, T17N/R14W; then
    (18) Proceed northwesterly in a straight line approximately 0.95 
mile, crossing onto the Greenough Ridge map, to the 2,617-foot 
elevation point, section 14, T17N/R14W, and continue northwesterly in a 
straight line approximately 0.8 mile to the 2,836-foot elevation point 
of Irene Peak, section 11, T17N/R14W; then
    (19) Proceed northerly in a straight line approximately 1 mile to 
the intersection of 3 unnamed unimproved roads approximately 0.3 mile 
west of the headwaters of Walker Creek (locally known as the 
intersection of Blackhawk Drive, Walker Lake Road, and Williams Ranch 
Road) section 2, T17N/R14W; then
    (20) Proceed easterly along the unnamed improved road, locally 
known as Blackhawk Drive, approximately 1.35 miles, crossing onto the 
Laughlin range map, to the road's intersection with the section 2 
eastern boundary line, T17N/R14W; then
    (21) Proceed east-northeasterly in a straight line approximately 
0.75 mile, returning to the 2,213 elevation point near the northeast 
corner of section 1, T17N/R14W; then
    (22) Proceed southeasterly in a straight line approximately 3.55 
miles to BM 1893 (0.2 mile south of Ridge) in section 16, T17N/R13W, 
and then continue southeasterly in a straight line approximately 0.85 
mile to a radio facility located at approximately 2,840 feet in 
elevation in the Laughlin Range, section 15, T17N/R13W; then
    (23) Proceed easterly in a straight line approximately 0.85 mile to 
another radio facility located at approximately 3,320 feet in elevation 
in the Laughlin Range, section 14, T17N/R13W; then
    (24) Proceed southerly in a straight line approximately 1.5 miles 
to the

[[Page 60974]]

2,452-foot elevation point in section 26, T17N/R13W; then
    (25) Proceed southeasterly in a straight line approximately 0.4 
mile to the intersection of the 1,800-foot contour line with Bakers 
Creek within McGee Canyon, section 26, T17N/R13W; then
    (26) Proceed southeasterly (downstream) approximately 0.2 mile 
along Bakers Creek, returning to the beginning point.

    Signed: August 25, 2014.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
    Approved: August 29, 2014.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy).
[FR Doc. 2014-24177 Filed 10-8-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4110-31-P