[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 151 (Thursday, August 6, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46883-46888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-19277]



[[Page 46883]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

27 CFR Part 9

[Docket No. TTB-2015-0011; Notice No. 155]
RIN 1513-AC22


Proposed Establishment of the Tip of the Mitt Viticultural Area

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to 
establish the approximately 2,760-square mile ``Tip of the Mitt'' 
viticultural area in all or portions of Charlevoix, Emmet, Cheboygan, 
Presque Isle, Alpena, and Antrim Counties in Michigan. The proposed 
viticultural area is not located within, nor does it contain, any other 
established viticultural area. TTB designates viticultural areas to 
allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to 
allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. TTB invites 
comments on this proposed addition to its regulations.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 5, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comments on this proposed rule to one of 
the following addresses (please note that TTB has a new address for 
comments submitted by U.S. mail):
     Internet: http://www.regulations.gov (via the online 
comment form for this proposed rule as posted within Docket No. TTB-
2015-0011 at ``Regulations.gov,'' the Federal e-rulemaking portal);
     U.S. Mail: Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, 
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW., Box 12, 
Washington, DC 20005; or
     Hand delivery/courier in lieu of mail: Alcohol and Tobacco 
Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW., Suite 400, Washington, DC 
20005.
    See the Public Participation section of this proposed rule for 
specific instructions and requirements for submitting comments, and for 
information on how to request a public hearing or view or request 
copies of the petition and supporting materials.

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) authorizes TTB to 
establish definitive viticultural areas and regulate 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 the 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 the 
wine's 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 (27 CFR 4.25(e)(2)) 
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 or modification 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 affecting 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;
     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.

Tip of the Mitt Petition

    TTB received a petition from the Straits Area Grape Growers 
Association, on behalf of vineyard and winery owners in the northern 
portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, proposing the establishment 
of the ``Tip of the Mitt'' AVA. The proposed AVA contains approximately 
2,760-square miles and has 41 commercial vineyards, covering 
approximately 94 acres, distributed across the proposed AVA. The 
proposed AVA also has eight bonded wineries. According to the petition, 
an additional 48 acres of vineyards and an additional 4 bonded wineries 
are planned in the near future. The distinguishing features of the 
proposed Tip of the Mitt AVA include climate and soils. Unless 
otherwise noted, all information and data contained in this proposed 
rule that pertains to the proposed AVA comes from the petition for the 
proposed Tip of the Mitt AVA and its supporting exhibits.

Name Evidence

    The proposed Tip of the Mitt AVA derives its name from its location 
at the northernmost end of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The Lower 
Peninsula of Michigan is shaped like a mitten, and the proposed AVA is 
located at the northern tip of the ``mitten.'' The petition noted that 
``Tip of the Mitt'' has long been used to describe the region in

[[Page 46884]]

which the proposed AVA is located, and the petitioner included copies 
of three postcards dated from the 1960s which were submitted to 
demonstrate the historical use of the phrase in connection with that 
region. The first postcard contains a photo of the Tip of the Mitt 
Motel in Mackinaw City, Michigan, which is located within the proposed 
AVA. The second postcard depicts a map of the northern portion of the 
Lower Peninsula and is labeled ``The Tip of the Mitt.'' The third 
postcard contains a photo of the Tip of the Mitt Restaurant in 
Topinabee, Michigan, a city located within the proposed AVA.
    The petition included additional evidence that the region of the 
proposed AVA is currently known as ``Tip of the Mitt.'' The petitioner 
submitted as one piece of evidence an online guide of hiking trails \1\ 
that divides Michigan into nine regions, including the ``Tip of the 
Mitt'' region in the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula. Several 
annual events held throughout the proposed AVA use the name ``Tip of 
the Mitt,'' including the Tip of the Mitt Paddle Fest, the Tip of the 
Mitt Tractor Show, the Tip of the Mitt Classic road bike race, and a 
sailing race known as Michigan Challenge: Tip of the Mitt. Finally, the 
petition included a list of 14 businesses and non-profit organizations 
within the proposed AVA, including Tip of the Mitt Windshield Repair, 
Tip of the Mitt IT, Tip of the Mitt Sail & Power Squadron, Tip of the 
Mitt Antique Tractor Association, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, 
and Tip of the Mitt Flea Market.
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    \1\ www.trails.com.
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Boundary Evidence

    The proposed Tip of the Mitt AVA is located at the northernmost end 
of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and includes all or portions of 
Charlevoix, Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, and Antrim 
Counties. The western portion of the boundary follows the shorelines of 
Grand Traverse Bay, Little Traverse Bay, and Lake Michigan. The 
northern portion of the boundary follows the shorelines of the Straits 
of Mackinac and Lake Huron. The eastern portion of the boundary also 
follows the Lake Huron shoreline. The southern boundary follows county 
lines and a series of lines drawn between points on the USGS maps to 
separate the lake-influenced climate of the proposed Tip of the Mitt 
AVA from the cooler regions to the south.

Distinguishing Features

    The distinguishing features of the proposed Tip of the Mitt AVA 
include its climate and soils. Because the proposed AVA is bordered by 
large bodies of water to the west, north, and east, the climate and 
soil data from within the proposed AVA is only contrasted with data 
from the region directly to the south of the proposed AVA.
Climate
    The climate of the proposed Tip of the Mitt AVA is generally warmer 
than that of the region to the south. According to the petition, the 
primary reason for the warmer temperatures within the proposed AVA is 
the westerly prevailing winds that distribute warmer air from the 
surface of Lake Michigan across the region. As a result of these warm 
winds, the proposed AVA has a suitable climate for growing cold-hardy 
hybrid grape varieties such as Frontenac, La Crescent, and Marquette.
    The following table compares the average annual high and low 
temperatures, as well as the average annual extreme low temperature and 
the average number of days per year with high temperatures below 32 
degrees Fahrenheit (F) and below 0 degrees F, for 6 weather stations 
within the proposed Tip of the Mitt AVA and 5 weather stations south of 
the proposed AVA.\2\ A map showing the locations of the weather 
stations is included in Docket No. TTB-2015-0011 as Exhibit 1 to 
Appendix II of the petition.
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    \2\ Source: Midwest Climate Center database, Michigan State 
Climatology Office. Data covers the period from 1981 to 2010.

                                      Table 1--Average Annual Temperatures
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                                                                                    Annual days     Annual days
                                      Average         Average         Average       with highs      with highs
         Weather station            annual high     annual low        annual         below 32         below 0
                                                                    extreme low      degrees F       degrees F
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                                               Within Proposed AVA
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Alpena Waste Water Treatment                52.7            36.5            -8.3              66              10
 Plant..........................
Onaway State Park...............            56.2            34.6           -20.0              59              17
Cross Village...................            53.0            35.6           -14.2              65              13
Petoskey........................            53.5            32.2           -13.3              71              24
Boyne Falls.....................            56.8            35.1           -21.3              61              15
East Jordan.....................            56.9            34.5           -16.7              55              13
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                                              South of Proposed AVA
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Alpena WSO Airport..............            54.0            33.4           -17.8              77              22
Atlanta 2SW.....................            53.4            32.5           -19.6              77              17
Gaylord.........................            53.6            33.5           -19.7              76              26
Grayling........................            53.7            31.1           -22.2              69              22
Lake City.......................            54.0            32.5           -18.1              68              17
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    The data shows that although temperatures within the proposed AVA 
are cold, the region to the south has average annual low temperatures 
that are generally lower than those within the proposed AVA. The region 
to the south also generally has more days per year with high 
temperatures below 32 degrees F and also below 0 degrees F. The 
petition states that the number of very cold days is important to 
viticulture because only certain varieties of grapes can withstand very 
low temperatures. The petition states that, according to data produced 
by Iowa State University, there are 17 less-hardy varieties of grapes 
that can tolerate temperatures between -15 and -20

[[Page 46885]]

degrees F, including Marechel Foch and Leon Millot. Because the average 
annual extreme low temperatures for 4 of the 6 locations within the 
proposed AVA are warmer than -20 degrees, and half of the locations 
within the proposed AVA have extreme low temperatures above -15 
degrees, these 17 varieties of grapes could reasonably be expected to 
survive and produce consistent crops within the proposed AVA. However, 
because none of the locations south of the proposed AVA have annual 
extreme low temperatures above -15 degrees, it is less likely that 
these 17 varieties would thrive and produce crops reliably south of the 
proposed AVA.
    The petition included information on growing season length and 
growing degree days (GDDs) \3\ gathered from locations both within and 
outside of the proposed AVA.\4\ The data in the following tables shows 
that the growing season for most locations within the proposed AVA is 
longer than the growing season for most locations south of the proposed 
AVA, and that most locations within the proposed AVA have higher GDD 
accumulations than locations to the south.
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    \3\ In the Winkler climate classification system, annual heat 
accumulation during the growing season, measured in annual growing 
degree days (GDDs), defines climatic regions. One GDD accumulates 
for each degree Fahrenheit that a day's mean temperature is above 50 
degrees, the minimum temperature required for grapevine growth. See 
Albert J. Winkler, General Viticulture (Berkeley: University of 
California Press, 1974), pages 61-64.
    \4\ Source: Midwest Climate Center database, Michigan State 
Climatology Office. Data covers the period from 1981 to 2010.

                                          Table 2--Growing Season Data
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                                                                                                  Average length
             Weather station               Average last spring frost   Average first fall frost     of  growing
                                                     date                        date              season (days)
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                                               Within Proposed AVA
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Alpena Waste Water Treatment Plant......  May 3.....................  October 11................             161
Onaway State Park.......................  May 15....................  September 29..............             137
Cross Village...........................  May 27....................  October 9.................             135
Petoskey................................  May 9.....................  October 13................             157
Boyne Falls.............................  May 31....................  September 18..............             110
East Jordan.............................  May 30....................  September 24..............             117
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                                              South of Proposed AVA
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Alpena WSO Airport......................  May 26....................  September 24..............             121
Atlanta 2SW.............................  May 20....................  September 24..............             127
Gaylord.................................  May 28....................  September 21..............             116
Grayling................................  June 2....................  September 13..............             103
Lake City...............................  May 28....................  September 22..............             117
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                                                            Table 3--Growing Degree Day Data
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                                                                                                                                                Total
         Weather station           March  GDDs   April  GDDs   May  GDDs    June  GDDs    July  GDDs  August GDDs   September     October      growing
                                                                                                                       GDDs         GDDs     season GDDs
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                                                                   Within Proposed AVA
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Alpena Waste Water Treatment               6            31.3        151.6         389.4        579.4        541.1        306.7           66      2,071.5
 Plant..........................
Onaway State Park...............          11.3          43.1        198.4         413.5        578.1        506.3        259.5         65.2      2,075.4
Cross Village...................           6            39.5        158.5         356          521.8        502.5        299.4         75.4      1,959.1
Petoskey........................           6.5          33.6        144.1         359.0        541.4        519.4        298.8         90.5      1,993.8
Boyne Falls.....................          13.9          66          229.6         466.2        618.6        571.8        342.3         99.3      2,407.7
East Jordan.....................          12.9          55.3        207.2         432.4        577.6        531.6        315.7         88.4      2,221.1
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                                                                  South of Proposed AVA
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Alpena WSO Airport..............           8            36.7        153.3         380.6        553.1        492.3        261.2         60.8      1,946.0
Atlanta 2SW.....................          11.2          48.3        169.5         379.9        537.8        472.5        269.5         60.6      1,949.3
Gaylord.........................          12.3          48.7        190.7         413.2        560.0        499.0        271.8         66.9      2,062.6
Grayling........................           8.6          41.3        170.2         389.4        531.7        467.6        237.1         54.1      1,900.0
Lake City.......................           9.9          40          182.2         388.7        534.2        467.5        230.7         56.5      1,909.7
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    GDDs are important to viticulture because they represent how often 
the daily temperatures rise above 50 degrees F, which is the minimum 
temperature required for active vine growth and fruit development. 
Because the proposed AVA has a growing season that is generally longer, 
and GDD accumulations that are generally higher, than the region to the 
south, vineyard owners are able to grow less-hardy grapes as well as 
mid-to-late season ripening varieties, such as Frontenac, which would 
not ripen as consistently if they were grown south of the proposed AVA. 
The higher GDD accumulations within the proposed Tip of the Mitt AVA 
compensate for the relatively short growing season because the growing 
season temperatures rise above 50 degrees frequently enough during the 
growing season to allow the grapes to mature. For example, Boyne Falls 
has the shortest growing season of any location within the proposed 
AVA, and the growing season is shorter than all but one of the 
locations south of the

[[Page 46886]]

proposed AVA. However, grapes are still able to ripen reliably in Boyne 
Falls because the average growing season GDD accumulation is 2,407.7. 
By contrast, even though four of the five locations south of the 
proposed AVA have longer growing seasons than Boyne Falls, all of the 
locations south of the proposed AVA still have significantly lower GDD 
accumulations.
Soils
    The predominant soils within the proposed Tip of the Mitt AVA 
contain coarse-textured glacial till and Lacustrine sand and gravel. 
Soils that contain either glacial outwash sand and gravel or ice-
contact sand and gravel are only present in small amounts. The soils of 
the proposed AVA have high levels of organic matter, which prevents 
nutrients from leaching rapidly. As a result, vineyard owners do not 
have to apply supplemental nutrients as frequently or heavily as in 
areas with soils that have lower levels of organic material. Soils with 
high levels of organic material also have a high water-holding 
capacity, so vineyard owners within the proposed AVA often take steps 
to limit accumulations of soil moisture, such as planting cover crops 
between the rows of vines to help absorb excess water. Finally, the 
soils of the proposed AVA do not heat up as quickly in the early spring 
as soils that contain higher levels of sand and gravel. The cool soil 
temperatures naturally prevent bud-break, often delaying new growth 
from forming until after the threat of damaging frost is over. 
According to the petition, delaying bud-break until after the threat of 
frost has passed is particularly important when growing cultivars that 
typically have an early bud-break such as Leon Millot or Marquette, 
which are both commonly grown in the proposed AVA.
    South of the proposed AVA, the soils are primarily glacial outwash 
sand and gravel and ice-contact sand and gravel, which are low in 
organic matter. Lesser quantities of coarse-textured glacial till and 
end moraines of fine- and coarse-textured till also occur. Because the 
soils south of the proposed AVA contain low amounts of organic matter, 
they require heavier and more frequent additions of nutrients. The 
soils also have a lower water-holding capacity, increasing the need for 
supplemental irrigation. Vineyard owners also attempt to maintain 
plant-free conditions between rows, in order to maximize the amount of 
water available for the vines. Finally, the lower levels of organic 
matter, combined with higher levels of sand and gravel, allow soils 
south of the proposed AVA to warm up more rapidly in the spring, which 
encourages bud-break before the last spring frost has occurred.
Summary of Distinguishing Features
    In summary, the evidence provided in the petition indicates that 
the viticulturally significant geographic features of the proposed Tip 
of the Mitt AVA distinguish it from the surrounding regions in each 
direction. The proposed AVA is surrounded by large bodies of water to 
the west, north, and east. The region to the south of the proposed AVA 
is characterized by cooler temperatures, shorter growing seasons, lower 
GDD accumulations, and soils with low amounts of organic material and 
high amounts of sand and gravel.

TTB Determination

    TTB concludes that the petition to establish the approximately 
2,760-square mile Tip of the Mitt AVA merits consideration and public 
comment, as invited in this proposed rule.

Boundary Description

    See the narrative description of the boundary of the petitioned-for 
AVA in the proposed regulatory text published at the end of this 
proposed rule.

Maps

    The petitioner provided the required maps, and they are listed 
below in the proposed 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. For a wine to be labeled with 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 Sec.  4.25(e)(3) of the TTB regulations (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 Sec.  4.39(i)(2) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR Sec.  
4.39(i)(2)) for details.
    If TTB establishes this proposed AVA, its name, ``Tip of the 
Mitt,'' will be recognized as a name of viticultural significance under 
4.39(i)(3) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.39(i)(3)). The text of the 
proposed regulation clarifies this point. Consequently, if this 
proposed rule is adopted as a final rule, wine bottlers using the name 
``Tip of the Mitt'' in a brand name, including a trademark, or in 
another label reference as to the origin of the wine, would have to 
ensure that the product is eligible to use the AVA name as an 
appellation of origin.

Public Participation

Comments Invited

    TTB invites comments from interested members of the public on 
whether it should establish the proposed AVA. TTB is also interested in 
receiving comments on the sufficiency and accuracy of the name, 
boundary, soils, climate, and other required information submitted in 
support of the petition. Please provide any available specific 
information in support of your comments.
    Because of the potential impact of the establishment of the 
proposed Tip of the Mitt AVA on wine labels that include the term ``Tip 
of the Mitt,'' as discussed above under Impact on Current Wine Labels, 
TTB is particularly interested in comments regarding whether there will 
be a conflict between the proposed area name and currently used brand 
names. If a commenter believes that a conflict will arise, the comment 
should describe the nature of that conflict, including any anticipated 
negative economic impact that approval of the proposed AVA will have on 
an existing viticultural enterprise. TTB is also interested in 
receiving suggestions for ways to avoid conflicts, for example, by 
adopting a modified or different name for the AVA.

Submitting Comments

    You may submit comments on this proposed rule by using one of the 
following three methods (please note that TTB has a new address for 
comments submitted by U.S. Mail):
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: You may send comments via the 
online comment form posted with this proposed rule within Docket No. 
TTB-2015-0011 on ``Regulations.gov,'' the Federal e-rulemaking portal, 
at http://www.regulations.gov. A direct link to that docket is 
available under Notice No. 155 on the TTB Web site at http://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine-rulemaking.shtml. Supplemental files may be 
attached to comments submitted via Regulations.gov. For complete 
instructions on how to use Regulations.gov, visit the site and click on 
the ``Help'' tab.

[[Page 46887]]

     U.S. Mail: You may send comments via postal mail to the 
Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and 
Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW., Box 12, Washington, DC 20005.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: You may hand-carry your comments or 
have them hand-carried to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 
1310 G Street NW., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005.
    Please submit your comments by the closing date shown above in this 
proposed rule. Your comments must reference Notice No. 155 and include 
your name and mailing address. Your comments also must be made in 
English, be legible, and be written in language acceptable for public 
disclosure. TTB does not acknowledge receipt of comments, and TTB 
considers all comments as originals.
    In your comment, please clearly indicate if you are commenting on 
your own behalf or on behalf of an association, business, or other 
entity. If you are commenting on behalf of an entity, your comment must 
include the entity's name, as well as your name and position title. If 
you comment via Regulations.gov, please enter the entity's name in the 
``Organization'' blank of the online comment form. If you comment via 
postal mail or hand delivery/courier, please submit your entity's 
comment on letterhead.
    You may also write to the Administrator before the comment closing 
date to ask for a public hearing. The Administrator reserves the right 
to determine whether to hold a public hearing.

Confidentiality

    All submitted comments and attachments are part of the public 
record and subject to disclosure. Do not enclose any material in your 
comments that you consider to be confidential or inappropriate for 
public disclosure.

Public Disclosure

    TTB will post, and you may view, copies of this proposed rule, 
selected supporting materials, and any online or mailed comments 
received about this proposal within Docket No. TTB-2015-0011 on the 
Federal e-rulemaking portal, Regulations.gov, at http://www.regulations.gov. A direct link to that docket is available on the 
TTB Web site at http://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine-rulemaking.shtml under 
Notice No. 155. You may also reach the relevant docket through the 
Regulations.gov search page at http://www.regulations.gov. For 
information on how to use Regulations.gov, click on the site's ``Help'' 
tab.
    All posted comments will display the commenter's name, organization 
(if any), city, and State, and, in the case of mailed comments, all 
address information, including email addresses. TTB may omit voluminous 
attachments or material that the Bureau considers unsuitable for 
posting.
    You may also view copies of this proposed rule, all related 
petitions, maps and other supporting materials, and any electronic or 
mailed comments that TTB receives about this proposal by appointment at 
the TTB Information Resource Center, 1310 G Street NW., Washington, DC 
20005. You may also obtain copies at 20 cents per 8.5- x 11-inch page. 
Please note that TTB is unable to provide copies of USGS maps or any 
similarly-sized documents that may be included as part of the AVA 
petition. Contact TTB's information specialist at the above address or 
by telephone at 202-453-2270 to schedule an appointment or to request 
copies of comments or other materials.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    TTB certifies that this proposed regulation, if adopted, would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. The proposed regulation imposes no new reporting, 
recordkeeping, or other administrative requirement. Any benefit derived 
from the use of an AVA 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 proposed 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 proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9

    Wine.

Proposed Regulatory Amendment

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, TTB proposes to amend 
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. Subpart C is amended by adding Sec.  9.____to read as follows:


Sec.  9.__  Tip of the Mitt.

    (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this 
section is ``Tip of the Mitt''. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, 
``Tip of the Mitt'' is a term of viticultural significance.
    (b) Approved maps. The 2 United States Geological Survey (USGS) 
1:250,000 scale topographic maps used to determine the boundary of the 
Tip of the Mitt viticultural area are titled:
    (1) Cheboygan, Michigan, 1955; revised 1981; and
    (2) Alpena, Mich., US-Ontario, Can.; 1954.
    (c) Boundary. The Tip of the Mitt viticultural area is located in 
all or portions of Charlevoix, Emmet, Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, 
and Antrim Counties in Michigan. The boundary of the Tip of the Mitt 
viticultural area is as described below:
    (1) The beginning point is on the Cheboygan map, at the point where 
the Mackinac Bridge intersects the southern shoreline of the Straits of 
Mackinac. From the beginning point, proceed east-southeasterly along 
the shoreline of the South Channel of the Straits of Mackinac and Lake 
Huron, crossing onto the Alpena map and continuing to follow the Lake 
Huron shoreline and then the Thunder Bay shoreline to the point where 
the Thunder Bay shoreline intersects the common T31N/T30N township line 
south of the city of Alpena and north of Bare Point; then
    (2) Proceed northwesterly in a straight line to the intersection of 
an unnamed medium-duty road known locally as Long Rapids Road and an 
unnamed light-duty road known locally as Cathro Road; then
    (3) Proceed west in a straight line to the line's intersection with 
State Highway 65 and an unnamed light-duty road known locally as Hibner 
Road; then
    (4) Proceed northwesterly in a straight line to the intersection of 
the Presque Isle, Alpena, and Montmorency county lines; then
    (5) Proceed west along the southern boundary of Presque Isle 
County, crossing onto the Cheboygan map, to the point where the Presque 
Isle county line

[[Page 46888]]

becomes the southern boundary of Cheboygan County, and continuing along 
the Cheboygan county line to the intersection of the Cheboygan county 
line with the eastern boundary of Charlevoix County; then
    (6) Proceed south then east along the Charlevoix county line to the 
intersection of the Charlevoix county line with the eastern boundary of 
Antrim County; then
    (7) Proceed south along the Antrim county line to the point where 
the county line turns due east; then
    (8) Proceed west in a straight line to the eastern shoreline of 
Grand Traverse Bay; then
    (9) Proceed north-northeasterly along the shorelines of Grand 
Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, Little Traverse Bay, Sturgeon Bay, Trails 
End Bay, and the Straits of Mackinac, returning to the beginning point.

    Signed: July 28, 2015.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-19277 Filed 8-5-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P