[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 234 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 62743-62750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26323]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
27 CFR Part 9
[Docket No. TTB-2018-0009; Notice No. 178]
RIN 1513-AC43
Proposed Establishment of the Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson
County 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 215-square mile ``Crest of the Blue Ridge
Henderson County'' viticultural area in Henderson County, North
Carolina. 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 February 4, 2019.
ADDRESSES: Please send your comments on this proposed rule to one of
the following addresses:
internet: https://www.regulations.gov (via the online
comment form for this proposed rule as posted within Docket No. TTB-
2018-0009 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, dated December 7,
2013, (superseding Treasury Order 120-01,dated January 24, 2003), to
the TTB Administrator to perform the functions and duties in the
administration and enforcement of these provisions.
[[Page 62744]]
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 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.
Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County Petition
TTB received a petition from Mark Williams, the executive director
of Agribusiness Henderson County, and Barbara Walker, the county
extension support specialist for North Carolina Cooperative Extension,
on behalf of local grape growers and winemakers, proposing to establish
the approximately 215-square mile ``Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson
County'' AVA. The proposed AVA has 14 commercial vineyards, covering a
total of approximately 70 acres. According to the petition, several
existing vineyards are planning to expand by a total of 55 additional
acres in the next 5 years. In addition, there are two wineries located
within the proposed AVA.
According to the petition, the distinguishing features of the
proposed Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA are its climate
and topography--specifically its elevation. Unless otherwise noted, all
information and data pertaining to the proposed AVA contained in this
proposed rule comes from the petition for the proposed Crest of the
Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA and its supporting exhibits.
Name Evidence
The proposed Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA straddles
the ridgeline that forms the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The
ridgeline forming the crest of the Blue Ridge is marked and labeled on
eight of the nine U.S.G.S. topographic maps used to form the boundary
of the proposed AVA. Because the entire crest covers a multi-State
region that is significantly larger than the proposed AVA, the
petitioners added ``Henderson County'' to the proposed name in order to
identify the location of the proposed AVA more specifically. TTB is not
requiring the addition of ``North Carolina'' to the proposed name
because TTB is not aware of the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains
running through any other county named Henderson County.
According to the petition, the term ``Crest of the Blue Ridge'' was
first used by Colonel Joseph Pratt, who was the chief of the North
Carolina Geological and Economic Survey from 1906 to 1923.\1\ In 197,
Pratt proposed creating a scenic road and chain of tourist hotels atop
or adjacent to the summit of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Pratt named the
project the ``Crest of the Blue Ridge Highway.'' Several small sections
of the road were built, but the start of World War I interrupted the
work, and completion was put on hold. In the end, the project was never
completed, but the term ``Crest of the Blue Ridge'' survived and
remains in widespread, present-day use to describe areas of the
Southern Appalachians, especially in North Carolina.
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\1\ See North Carolina History Project (site last accessed
August 27, 2018), https://northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/blue-ridge-parkway; see also Mitchell County Historical Society
(site last accessed August 27, 2018), http://mitchellnchistory.org/2016/12/21/crest-blue-ridge-highway-parkway-parkway/.
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The petition included examples of current use of the term ``Crest
of the Blue Ridge'' to describe the region of the proposed AVA.
Henderson County is also often promoted as the Crest of the Blue Ridge
Agricultural Area for its variety of commercial agricultural products.
For example, the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority's
``Cheers Trail'' publication, which advertises commercial breweries,
cideries, and wineries in the county, notes that all the producers on
the trail are ``located in Henderson County in the Crest of the Blue
Ridge Agricultural Area.'' \2\ The county also promotes its apple
orchards with its Crest of the Blue Ridge Orchard Trail guide.\3\
Agribusiness Henderson County, a local non-profit agriculture and agri-
tourism advocate, promotes the county's farm businesses through its
Southern Mountain Fresh brand, which states, ``Enjoy the freshness of
the Crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains and sustain our local heritage.''
\4\
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\2\ Henderson County Tourism Development Authority (site last
accessed August 27, 2018), http://visithendersonvillenc.org/wp-content/uploads/cheers-trail.pdf.
\3\ Henderson County Tourism Development Authority (site last
accessed August 27, 2018), http://visithendersonvillenc.org/wp-content/uploads/crest-br-orchard-trail-1.pdf.
\4\ Agribusiness Henderson County (site last accessed August 27,
2018), http://southernmountainfresh.com.
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Finally, two wineries with vineyards within the proposed AVA use
the term ``Crest of the Blue Ridge'' to describe their locations.
Burntshirt Vineyards' website states that its vineyards occupy ``. . .
a unique position with two vineyards on both sides of the Eastern
Continental Divide on the Crest of the Blue Ridge.'' \5\ St. Paul
Mountain Vineyards' website describes its vineyards as being ``on the
crest of the Blue Ridge in Edneyville.'' \6\
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\5\ Burntshirt Vineyards (site last accessed August 27, 2018),
http://www.burntshirtvineyards.com/info/vineyards.
\6\ St. Paul Mountain Vineyards (site last accessed August 27,
2018), http://saintpaulmountainvineyards.com/scripts/historyPg.cfm.
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[[Page 62745]]
Boundary Evidence
The proposed Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA is
located in Henderson County, North Carolina, and straddles the
ridgeline that forms the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. To the east
and south of the proposed AVA are the low, rolling hills of the Inner
Piedmont region. To the west of the proposed AVA are the rugged
mountains of the Pisgah National Forest. To the north of the proposed
AVA are the Asheville Basin, which is marked by the wide valley of the
French Broad River, and the rugged highlands that surround the basin.
Distinguishing Features
The distinguishing features of the proposed Crest of the Blue Ridge
Henderson County AVA are its elevation and climate.
Elevation
The petition describes the proposed Crest of the Blue Ridge
Henderson County AVA as straddling two physiographic provinces--the
Blue Ridge Escarpment and the Blue Ridge Plateau, which are separated
by the Eastern Continental Divide, also known as the Crest of the Blue
Ridge. To the north of the proposed AVA are two distinct geomorphic
regions: The Asheville Basin and a region of higher mountains known
informally as the ``northern highlands,'' which includes the Black
Mountain range and Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the
Mississippi River. To the east and south of the proposed AVA is the
Inner Piedmont region. West of the proposed AVA are the rugged
mountains of the Pisgah National Forest.
The petition included information about the minimum, maximum, and
mean elevations of the proposed Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson
County AVA and each of the surrounding regions. That information is
summarized in the following table.
Table 1--Elevation
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Elevation parameters (in feet)
Region -----------------------------------------------
Minimum Maximum Mean
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Proposed AVA.................................................... 1,394.4 4,396.3 2,361.8
North (Asheville Basin)......................................... 1,236.9 3,284.1 2,147.9
North (Highlands)............................................... 1,305.8 6,684.0 3,177.8
East............................................................ 702.1 3,966.5 1,150.9
South........................................................... 816.9 3,631.9 1,409.5
West............................................................ 1,958.7 5,715.2 2,769.9
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The data in Table 1 shows that the proposed AVA has elevations that
are generally lower than those in the region to the west and in the
northern highlands region. The regions to the south and east of the
proposed AVA, as well as in the Asheville Basin to the north, are
generally lower than the proposed AVA. According to the petition,
elevation plays a major role in determining the temperatures, length of
growing season, and precipitation within the proposed AVA. In general,
regions at high elevations have cooler temperatures and shorter growing
seasons than regions at low elevations. Regions at intermediate
elevations, such as the proposed AVA, generally have warmer
temperatures and longer growing seasons than neighboring regions within
higher elevations, and they have cooler temperatures and shorter
growing seasons than adjacent lower elevations.
Climate
The petition for the proposed Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson
County AVA included information on several different climate aspects of
the proposed AVA and surrounding regions, including average growing
season temperatures, average length of growing season, growing degree
day zones, and precipitation amounts for the proposed AVA and the
surrounding regions. The climate data is based on data generated by the
Precipitation-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM)
Climate Group at Oregon State University.\7\
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\7\ PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University, http://prism.oregonstate.edu. Data from the PRISM climate data mapping
system was used to calculate the average growing season temperatures
for the area within the proposed AVA and areas surrounding the
proposed AVA. PRISM is a computerized climate mapping system that
estimates climate patterns by using data gathered from weather
stations, global positioning systems, and remote sensing
technologies, along with other factors such as elevation, longitude,
slope angles, and solar aspects. Such ``climate normals'' are only
calculated every 10 years and at the time the petition was
submitted, the most recent climate normals available were from the
period of 1980-2010. See Christopher Daly and Kirk Bryant, June
2013, ``The PRISM Climate and Weather System--An Introduction''
(site last accessed August 27, 2018), http://prism.oregonstate.edu/documents/PRISM_history_jun2013.pdf; see also Daly et al., February
1994, ``A Statistical-Topographic Model for Mapping Climatological
Precipitation over Mountainous Terrain'' (site last accessed August
27, 2018), http://prism.oregonstate.edu/documents/pubs/1994jappclim_mountainPrecip_gibson.pdf.
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Temperature
First, the petition included information on the average growing
season temperatures of the proposed AVA and the surrounding regions.
The petition states that a professor at Southern Oregon University used
the average growing season temperatures of major wine producing areas
of the world to create four major ``Climate/Maturity Groupings.'' \8\
The information was intended to help vineyard owners determine what
varietals would ripen the best in their region.\9\ Using this system,
the petitioners calculated the average growing season temperatures of
the proposed AVA and the surrounding regions, as well as the percentage
of land within each region that fell into each of the climate/maturity
groupings, as summarized in Table 2.
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\8\ See GuildSomm, Gregory Jones, ``Climate Grapes, and Wine--
Terroir and the Importance of Climate to Winegrape Production,''
August 12, 2015 (site last accessed August 27, 2018), https://www.guildsomm.com/public_content/features/articles/b/gregory_jones/posts/climate-grapes-and-wine.
\9\ Id.
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[[Page 62746]]
Table 2--Average Growing Season Temperatures
[Degrees Fahrenheit]
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Wine grape climate/maturity groupings
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Region Cool (55-59 Intermediate Warm (63-67 Hot (67-72
[deg]F) (59-63 [deg]F) [deg]F) [deg]F)
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Percentage of Each Region in Each Grouping
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Proposed AVA.................................... X X 94.9 5.1
North (Asheville Basin)......................... X 1.7 97.0 1.3
North (Highlands)............................... 4.0 66.7 29.3 X
East............................................ X 4.9 13.4 81.7
South........................................... X X 3.8 96.2
West............................................ 5.6 57.2 36.5 0.7
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As shown in Table 2, the majority of the proposed Crest of the Blue
Ridge Henderson County AVA has average annual growing season
temperatures that are in the ``Warm'' grouping. No portion of the
proposed AVA falls into the ``Cool'' or ``Intermediate'' groupings. The
Ashville Basin region north of the proposed AVA has a larger percentage
of land within the ``Warm'' grouping and also has some land that can be
classified in the slightly cooler ``Intermediate'' grouping. The
highlands region north of the proposed AVA and the region to the west
of the proposed AVA are both primarily within the ``Intermediate''
grouping, while the regions to the south and east of the proposed AVA
are mainly within the ``Hot'' grouping. According to the petition,
regions in the ``Warm'' grouping are well-suited for growing grape
varietals such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, which
are among the most commonly grown grape varietals within the proposed
AVA.
Growing Season Length \10\
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\10\ The petition defines ``growing season length'' as the
average number of days between the last 28 [deg]F temperature in the
spring and the first occurrence of this temperature in the fall. The
petition states that plant tissues begin to freeze and die at 28
[deg]F. See also Institute for the Application of Geospatial
Technologies and Cornell University's College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences--New York Site Vineyard Elevation Project, Alan N.
Lasko and Tim E. Martinson, ``The Basics of Vineyard Site Elevation
and Selection,'' (site last accessed August 27, 2018), http://arcserver2.iagt.org/vll/learnmore.aspx.
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As shown in Tables 3 and 4 below, the petition also included data
on the length of the growing season within the proposed Crest of the
Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA and the surrounding regions. The
petition states that according to a vineyard site study conducted by
the Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technologies and
Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,\11\
regions with growing seasons shorter than 160 days are generally
unsuitable for vineyards because the grapes will not have sufficient
time to ripen. Locations with growing seasons of 170 to 180 days are
considered ``satisfactory,'' while sites with growing seasons of 180 to
190 days are considered ``good.'' Vineyard locations with growing
seasons of over 190 days are considered ``not limited by growing
season'' and are generally the most desirable sites.
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\11\ See Lasko, id.
Table 3--Growing Season Length
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Growing season length in days
Region ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
140-150 150-160 160-170 170-180 180-190 190-200 200-210 210-220 220-230 230-240
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Percentage of each region in each category
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Proposed AVA........................................ X X X 0.1 0.7 6.2 32.7 59.7 0.6 X
North (Asheville Basin)............................. X X X X X 0.1 13.5 82.8 3.6 X
North (Highlands)................................... 0.2 0.9 2.0 5.0 21.3 27.4 40.5 2.7 X X
East................................................ X X X 0.2 0.6 2.4 5.9 13.0 41.6 36.3
South............................................... X X X X X 0.4 1.7 2.7 16.9 78.3
West................................................ X 1.1 3.9 7.9 17.5 26.4 29.5 13.3 0.4 X
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Table 4--Mean Growing Season Length
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Growing season
Region length (days)
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Proposed AVA............................................ 209
North (Asheville Basin)................................. 213
North (Highlands)....................................... 197
East.................................................... 225
South................................................... 231
West.................................................... 196
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The data in Tables 3 and 4 shows that the proposed Crest of the
Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA has a growing season that is longer
than the northern highlands region and the region to the west of the
proposed AVA and shorter than the Asheville Basin region and the
regions to the east and south. The petition notes that although the
majority of land within the proposed AVA has a growing season of
between 210 and 220 days, there is also a large percentage of land with
a growing season length between 200 and 210 days, and a small
percentage of land with a growing season length of between 170 and 190
days. As a result, the proposed AVA can support some early-ripening
varietals of grapes, as well as varietals that require longer growing
seasons.
Growing Degree Day Zones
[[Page 62747]]
As shown in Table 5 below, the petition also included an analysis
of the growing degree day (GDD) zones 12 13 within the
proposed AVA and the surrounding regions. GDD zones range from Zone I
(coolest) to Zone V (warmest).
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\12\ See Albert J. Winkler, General Viticulture (Berkeley:
University of California Press, 1974), pages 61-64. In the Winkler
climate classification system, annual heat accumulation during the
growing season, measured in annual GDDs, defines climatic regions.
One GDD accumulates for each degree Fahrenheit that a day's mean
temperature is above 50 degrees F, the minimum temperature required
for grapevine growth.
\13\ Id. In the Winkler scale, the GDD regions are defined as
follows: Region I = less than 2,500 GDDs; Region II = 2,501-3,000
GDDs; Region III = 3,001-3,500 GDDs; Region IV = 3,501-4,000 GDDs;
Region V = greater than 4,000 GDDs.
Table 5--Growing Degree Day Regions
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Growing degree day regions
Region -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zone I Zone II Zone III Zone IV Zone V
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Percentage of occurrence in each location
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Proposed AVA.................... 1.3 18.1 77.5 3.1 X
North (Asheville Basin)......... X 6.6 89.7 3.7 X
North (Highlands)............... 43.6 46.2 10.1 0.1 X
East............................ 2.3 6.0 11.0 34.0 46.7
South........................... X 0.9 2.8 4.0 92.3
West............................ 46.6 36.6 16.0 0.7 0.1
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As shown in Table 5, most of the proposed Crest of the Blue Ridge
Henderson County AVA is classified as Zone III with GDD accumulations
of between 3,001 and 3,500. The data supports the petition's assertion
that the proposed AVA has a long, warm growing season that is cooler
than the regions to the south and east of the Asheville Basin and
warmer than the region to the west and the northern highlands region.
The petition states that the two primary GDD zones found within the
proposed AVA are suitable for growing both cooler-climate grapes such
as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc as well as warmer-climate
grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah.
Precipitation
Finally, the petition included information on the mean annual,
growing season, and winter precipitation amounts for the proposed AVA
and the surrounding regions for the period from 1980-2010. According to
the petition, within the region of the proposed AVA, air moving inland
from the southeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico drops its
moisture along the mountainous elevations of the Blue Ridge Escarpment
and the Eastern Continental Divide. As a result, precipitation amounts
decrease as one moves from southeast to northwest through the region.
Sufficient annual precipitation amounts are important to prevent vines
from experiencing excessive heat and water stress.
The data shown below in Table 6 demonstrates that the proposed
Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA generally has higher mean
annual precipitation amounts than the regions to the north and lower
mean annual precipitation amounts than the regions to the east and
south, which are within the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Although the data
also suggests that the region to the west of the proposed AVA also has
higher annual precipitation amounts than the proposed AVA, Figure 18 of
the petition shows that the higher rainfall amounts are actually in the
region to the southwest of the proposed AVA, where moist air from the
Gulf of Mexico encounters high elevations, rather than in the region
due west of the proposed AVA, which is in the rain shadow of the
Eastern Continental Divide.
Table 6--Mean Annual Precipitation in Inches
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Region Minimum Maximum Mean
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Proposed AVA.................................................... 45.1 70.8 57.5
North (Asheville Basin)......................................... 36.4 50.5 42.6
North (Highlands)............................................... 37.9 72.3 50.7
East............................................................ 46.6 75.4 60.3
South........................................................... 45.9 82.4 60.2
West............................................................ 37.1 93.5 62.8
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The petition states that is also important to consider the timing
of the rainfall. For example, the petition states that during the
growing season, excessive rainfall can cause excess vine and leaf
growth, promote fungal disease, and attract insects, while too little
rainfall can stress the vines and lead to reduced photosynthesis, cell
desiccation, and potential death of the vines. The petition also cites
a study that found that the recommended growing season precipitation
amount for vineyards in North Carolina is between 24 and 30 inches.\14\
The data shown below in Table 7 demonstrates that the mean minimum
growing season precipitation amount within the proposed AVA meets the
minimum recommended amount. The mean growing season amount slightly
exceeds the recommended precipitation amount.
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\14\ Poling, E.B., 2006, ed., The North Carolina Winegrape
Growers Guide: North Carolina State University, Department of
Horticultural Sciences, page 41.
[[Page 62748]]
Table 7--Mean Growing Season Precipitation in Inches
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Region Minimum Maximum Mean
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Proposed AVA.................................................... 27.1 40.9 33.2
North (Asheville Basin)......................................... 21.5 31.2 24.5
North (Highlands)............................................... 22.2 42.3 28.7
East............................................................ 27.0 43.7 30.2
South........................................................... 25.0 47.1 29.7
West............................................................ 21.9 51.0 34.4
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Finally, the petition states that it is also important to consider
the winter precipitation amounts. Excessive precipitation during
December, January, and February can delay bud break and vineyard
pruning, leading to a later harvest date and an increased risk that
grapes will still be on the vine when the first fall frost occurs. The
data listed in Table 8 below shows that the proposed AVA has a mean
winter precipitation amount of 13.9 inches, which is between the lower
amounts of the regions to the north, east, and south and the higher
amount of the region to the west.
Table 8--Mean Winter Precipitation in Inches
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Region Minimum Maximum Mean
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed AVA...................................... 10.6 17.6 13.9
North (Asheville Basin)........................... 8.4 12.0 9.7
North (Highlands)................................. 8.9 18.6 11.7
East.............................................. 10.9 18.7 12.5
South............................................. 12.0 20.9 13.4
West.............................................. 8.9 24.5 16.0
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Summary of Distinguishing Features
In summary, the evidence provided in the petition indicates that
the elevation and climate of the proposed Crest of the Blue Ridge
Henderson County AVA distinguish it from the surrounding regions in
each direction. The proposed AVA has elevations that are generally
higher than those of the regions to the south and east and in the
Asheville Basin to the north, and lower than those of the northern
highlands region and the region to the west. The proposed AVA also has
a moderate climate that slightly differs from the climate in the
Asheville Basin to the north, is cooler than the regions to the south
and east and warmer than the region to the west and the northern
highlands. Finally, annual precipitation amounts in the proposed AVA
are generally lower than amounts in the regions to the south, west, and
east and higher amounts than the highlands and Asheville Basin regions
to the north.
TTB Determination
TTB concludes that the petition to establish the approximately 215-
square mile Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County 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
4.39(i)(2)) for details.
If TTB establishes this proposed AVA, its name, ``Crest of the Blue
Ridge Henderson County,'' will be recognized as a name of viticultural
significance under Sec. 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 ``Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County'' 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. TTB is not
proposing to designate either ``Crest of the Blue Ridge,'' standing
alone, or ``Blue Ridge,'' standing alone, as terms of viticultural
significance because the Blue Ridge Mountains and the ridgeline that
forms the crest of the mountains both cover a multi-State area that is
significantly larger than the region of the proposed AVA, which is
located entirely within Henderson County, North Carolina. Therefore,
wine bottlers using either ``Crest of the Blue Ridge,'' standing alone,
or ``Blue Ridge,'' standing alone, in a brand name or in another label
reference on their wines would not be affected by the establishment of
this proposed AVA.
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,
[[Page 62749]]
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 Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County AVA on wine labels
that include the term ``Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County,'' 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-2018-0009 on ``Regulations.gov,'' the Federal e-rulemaking portal,
at https://www.regulations.gov. A direct link to that docket is
available under Notice No. 178 on the TTB website at https://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.
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. 178 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-2018-0009 on the
Federal e-rulemaking portal, Regulations.gov, at https://www.regulations.gov. A direct link to that docket is available on the
TTB website at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine-rulemaking.shtml under
Notice No. 178. You may also reach the relevant docket through the
Regulations.gov search page at https://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 Regulations and Rulings Division at the above
address, by email at https://www.ttb.gov/webforms/contact_RRD.shtm, or
by telephone at 202-453-1039, ext. 175, 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.__ Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County.
(a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this
section is ``Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County''. For purposes
of part 4 of this chapter, ``Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County''
is a term of viticultural significance.
(b) Approved maps. The nine United States Geological Survey (USGS)
[[Page 62750]]
1:24,000 scale topographic maps used to determine the boundary of the
Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County viticultural area are titled:
(1) Black Mountain, North Carolina, 1941; photorevised 1978;
(2) Bat Cave, North Carolina, 1997;
(3) Cliffield Mountain, North Carolina, 1946; photorevised 1991;
(4) Saluda, North Carolina-South Carolina, 1983 (provisional
edition);
(5) Zirconia, North Carolina-South Carolina, 1997;
(6) Standingstone Mountain, South Carolina-North Carolina, 1997;
(7) Horse Shoe, North Carolina, 1997;
(8) Hendersonville, North Carolina, 1997; and
(9) Fruitland, North Carolina, 1997.
(c) Boundary. The Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County
viticultural area is located in Henderson County, North Carolina. The
boundary of the Crest of the Blue Ridge Henderson County viticultural
area is as described below:
(1) The beginning point is on the Black Mountain map at the 4,412-
foot elevation marker atop Little Pisgah Mountain, along the shared
Buncombe-Henderson county line. From the beginning point, proceed
southeast along the shared Buncombe-Henderson county line approximately
4.4 miles, crossing onto the Bat Cave map, to the intersection of the
Buncombe-Henderson county line with the shared Henderson-Rutherford
county line; then
(2) Proceed southerly along the shared Henderson-Rutherford county
line approximately 5.1 miles to its intersection with the Polk county
line; then
(3) Proceed southwest along the shared Henderson-Polk county line
approximately 14.9 miles, crossing over the Cliffield Mountain map and
onto the Saluda map, to its intersection with the North Carolina-South
Carolina border; then
(4) Proceed westerly along the North Carolina-South Carolina border
approximately 8.1 miles, crossing onto the Zirconia map, to the 3,058-
foot elevation marker atop Big Top Mountain; then
(5) Proceed northwest in a straight line approximately 2.0 miles,
crossing onto the Standingstone Mountain map, to the center of the
highest closing contour atop Maybin Mountain; then
(6) Proceed northeast in a straight line approximately 2.2 miles,
crossing back onto the Zirconia map, to the intersection of an unnamed
road, known locally as County Road 1113/Maybin Road, with Mountain
Valley Road, also known as County Road 1109/Cabin Creek Road; then
(7) Proceed northwest along Mountain Valley Road/County Road 1109/
Cabin Creek Road approximately 1.3 miles, crossing back onto the
Standingstone Mountain map, to its intersection with Pinnacle Mountain
Road; then
(8) Proceed northwest in a straight line approximately 1.0 mile to
the intersection of Little Cove Creek with the 2,800-foor elevation
contour; then
(9) Proceed westerly along the 2,800-foot elevation contour
approximately 2.4 miles to its intersection with an unnamed creek on
the north slope of Stone Mountain that flows north into Jeffers Lake;
then
(10) Proceed southwest in a straight line approximately 2.0 miles
to the intersection of the shared Henderson-Transylvania county line
with the Dupont State Forest boundary atop Hickory Mountain; then
(11) Proceed northeast along the Henderson-Transylvania county line
approximately 2.6 miles, crossing onto the Horse Shoe map, to its
intersection with an unnamed road, known locally as Clipper Lane, on
the hilltop above the Sentell Cemetery; then
(12) Proceed northeast in a straight line approximately 1.6 miles
to the center of the highest closing contour atop Jeter Mountain; then
(13) Proceed southeast in a straight line approximately 1.3 miles
to the center of the highest closing contour atop Evans mountain; then
(14) Proceed northeast in a straight line approximately 2.0 miles
to the center of the highest closing contour atop Wolf Mountain; then
(15) Proceed northeast in a straight line approximately 1.2 miles
to the center of the highest closing contour atop Drake Mountain; then
(16) Proceed northwest in a straight line approximately 0.7 mile to
the center of the highest closing contour atop Cantrell Mountain; then
(17) Proceed northeast in a straight line approximately 3.3 miles
to the 2,618-foot elevation marker on the northeast slope of Long John
Mountain; then
(18) Proceed northeast in a straight line approximately 1.4 miles,
crossing onto the Hendersonville map, to the center of the highest
closing contour atop Stoney Mountain; then
(19) Proceed northeast in a straight line approximately 0.6 mile to
the intersection of Brookside Camp Road with Dixie Highway; then
(20) Proceed northeast along Brookside Camp Road approximately 2.1
miles, crossing onto the Fruitland map, to its intersection with Locust
Grove Road; then
(21) Proceed northeast along Locust Grove Road approximately 1.4
miles to its intersection with an unnamed trail near Locust Grove
Church; then
(22) Proceed northeast in a straight line approximately 0.7 mile to
the 3,442-foot elevation marker atop Rich Mountain; then
(23) Proceed northwest in a straight line approximately 0.4 mile to
the intersection of Southern Leveston Road with an unnamed jeep trail;
then
(24) Proceed northwest along Southern Leveston Road approximately
2.4 miles to its intersection with Hoopers Creek Road; then
(25) Proceed northeast in a straight line approximately 0.7 mile to
the 2,983-foot elevation marker labeled Edneyville-5 atop a peak on
Burney Mountain along the shared Henderson-Buncombe county line; then
(26) Proceed northeast along the Henderson-Buncombe county line
approximately 8.2 miles, crossing onto the Black Mountain map, and
return to the beginning point atop Little Pisgah Mountain.
Signed: September 19, 2018.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
Approved: November 13, 2018.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, (Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy).
[FR Doc. 2018-26323 Filed 12-4-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P