[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 15, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55082-55086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22264]



[[Page 55082]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

27 CFR Part 9

[Docket No. TTB-2019-0007; Notice No. 185]
RIN 1513-AC51


Proposed Establishment of the Alisos Canyon 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 5,774-acre ``Alisos Canyon'' viticultural 
area in Santa Barbara County, California. The proposed viticultural 
area lies entirely within the established Central Coast 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 December 16, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may electronically submit comments to TTB on this 
proposal, and view copies of this document, its supporting materials, 
and any comments TTB receives on it within Docket No. TTB-2019-0007 as 
posted on Regulations.gov (https://www.regulations.gov), the Federal e-
rulemaking portal. Please see the ``Public Participation'' section of 
this document below for full details on how to comment on this proposal 
via Regulations.gov, U.S. mail, or hand delivery, and for full details 
on how to view or obtain copies of this document, its supporting 
materials, and any comments related to this proposal.

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 Order 120-01, dated December 10, 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.
    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 
the 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;
     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;
     If the proposed AVA is to be established within, or 
overlapping, an existing AVA, an explanation that both identifies the 
attributes of the proposed AVA that are consistent with the existing 
AVA and explains how the proposed AVA is sufficiently distinct from the 
existing AVA and therefore appropriate for separate recognition; and
     A detailed narrative description of the proposed AVA 
boundary based on USGS map markings.

Alisos Canyon Petition

    TTB received a petition from Wesley D. Hagen, on behalf of local 
vineyard owners and winemakers, proposing the establishment of the 
``Alisos Canyon'' AVA. The proposed Alisos Canyon AVA is located within 
Santa Barbara County, California. The proposed AVA lies entirely within 
the established Central Coast AVA (27 CFR 9.75) and contains 
approximately 5,774 acres. Nine commercially-producing vineyards are 
planted within the proposed AVA and cover a total of approximately 238 
acres. There is also one winery within the proposed AVA.
    According to the petition, the distinguishing features of the 
proposed Alisos Canyon AVA include its climate and soils. The petition 
also listed topography and geology as distinguishing features of the 
proposed AVA. However, based on the petition's descriptions, topography 
and geology appear to be too integral to the region's climate and 
soils, respectively, to be considered separately from those features. 
Therefore, TTB does not consider topography and geology to be separate 
distinguishing features of the proposed AVA. Unless otherwise noted, 
all information and data pertaining to the proposed AVA contained in 
this document are from the petition for the proposed Alisos Canyon AVA 
and its supporting exhibits.

[[Page 55083]]

Name Evidence

    The proposed Alisos Canyon AVA derives its name from a geographical 
feature that runs through the region. U.S.G.S. maps identify the 
feature as ``Ca[ntilde]ada de los Alisos,'' which translates to 
``Canyon of the White Alder Trees.'' The petition states that residents 
more commonly refer to the canyon as ``Alisos Canyon.'' As evidence of 
use of the proposed name to describe the region, the petition notes 
that a road running through the proposed AVA is known as ``Alisos 
Canyon Road,'' and a popular biking route is known as the ``Alisos 
Canyon Loop.'' The petition also included a page from a website for 
motorcycle enthusiasts that states, ``Alisos Canyon also provides you 
with some looping opportunities utilizing Foxen Canyon, Hwy. 154 and 
Hwy. 101.'' \1\ Finally, the petition notes that an equestrian center 
adjacent to the proposed AVA is called ``Alisos Canyon Equine Center.''
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    \1\ http://sbc-rides/goption.com/StreetRides/hwy101/alisos/hwy101_alisos.html.
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    The petition also provided evidence that the name ``Alisos Canyon'' 
is used by the wine industry to describe the region of the proposed 
AVA. An article on a Santa Barbara County wine blog notes that, 
``Starting in the east, near the northern boundary of the Santa Ynez 
Valley AVA, we find perhaps the area's most acclaimed sub-region: 
Alisos Canyon.'' \2\ The article also states, ``For Rhones, Alisos 
Canyon is still a cool area and fairly uniform in temperature from its 
mouth east of the 101 most of the way to Foxen Canyon.'' An article in 
Wine Enthusiast is entitled ``Alisos and Foxen Canyons: Santa Barbara's 
Hidden Gems.'' \3\ An online wine store specializing in rare wines 
notes on its page about Sine Qua Non winery, ``In the future, 
[winemaker Manfred] Krankl's newest vineyard in Alisos Canyon will be 
an additional component part.'' \4\ Finally, the website for Thompson 
Vineyard, which is within the proposed Alisos Canyon AVA, features a 
quote from wine critic Robert Parker that says, ``One of my favorite 
Central Coast sites is the Santa Barbara vineyard in the Alisos Canyon 
known as the Thompson Vineyard.'' \5\
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    \2\ Winemerchantcafe.com/category/los-alamos.
    \3\ Winemag.com/gallery/californias-best-syrahs/#gallery-carousel-3.
    \4\ https://www.winehouse.com/product/2007-sine-qua-non-grenache-pictures-california-750ml.
    \5\ Thompsonvineyard.com/about-us/.
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Boundary Evidence

    The proposed Alisos Canyon AVA is located in Santa Barbara County 
north of U.S. Highway 101. The established Santa Maria Valley AVA (27 
CFR 9.28) lies to the north of the proposed AVA, and the established 
Santa Ynez Valley AVA (27 CFR 9.54) is located to the south. The 
climate of the proposed Alisos Canyon AVA is influenced by the San 
Antonio Creek drainage system, and the proposed northern boundary 
separates this drainage system from the Santa Maria River drainage 
system. The eastern boundary approximates the limit of the marine-
cooled air flowing inland from the Pacific Ocean via the San Antonio 
Creek drainage system. Additionally, the petition notes that the region 
east of the proposed AVA is a different geological feature commonly 
known as Foxen Canyon. The southern boundary separates the proposed AVA 
from the region of the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, whose climate is 
influenced by the Santa Ynez River drainage system. The western 
boundary separates the proposed AVA from the coastal region of Santa 
Barbara County, whose climate is more strongly influenced by marine 
air. The petition also notes that the western boundary separates the 
proposed AVA from a separate geological feature known as Cat Canyon.

Distinguishing Features

    The distinguishing features of the proposed Alisos Canyon AVA are 
its climate and soils.
Climate
    The proposed Alisos Canyon AVA is located along the drainage system 
of San Antonio Creek, which flows into the Pacific Ocean. Cool marine 
air travels inland via the drainage system and affects temperatures. As 
the air travels up the San Antonio Creek and its drainage system, it 
becomes warmer. The proposed AVA is approximately 25 miles from the 
ocean and situated in a transitional region, between the cooler coastal 
regions and the warmer inland areas. According to the petition, the 
proposed AVA's location is a ``Goldilocks Rhone Zone,'' meaning that 
temperatures are neither too hot nor too cold for growing Rhone wine 
varietals such as Syrah, which is the most common varietal grown in the 
proposed AVA.
    The petition included information on the average growing degree day 
\6\ (GDD) accumulations from 1981 through 2015 from two locations 
within the proposed AVA and eight locations in the surrounding regions.
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    \6\ See Albert J. Winkler et al., General Viticulture 61--64 
(Berkeley: University of California Press, 2nd ed. 1974). The 
Winkler method of calculating GDDs utilizes the monthly average 
above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (the minimum temperature required for 
grapevine growth) multiplied by the number of days in the month 
during the growing season.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Average GDD accumulations from 1981-2015
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                                                            Average GDD
         Location  (direction from proposed AVA)           accumulations
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Proposed Alisos Canyon AVA--eastern end.................           2,617
Proposed Alisos Canyon AVA--western end.................           2,691
State Route 135 Corridor (northwest)....................           2,511
Sta. Rita Hills AVA (southwest).........................           2,512
Ballard Canyon AVA--southern end (south)................           2,776
Ballard Canyon AVA--northern end (south)................           3,182
Sisquoc (north).........................................           2,915
Comasa Canyon (east)....................................           3,097
Zaca Creek (east).......................................           3,642
Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA (southeast)...........           3,781
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To the northwest and southwest of the proposed AVA, the GDD 
accumulations are lower due to the proximity of the Pacific Ocean and 
the greater cooling influence of the marine air. To the immediate north 
of the proposed AVA in Sisquoc, GDD accumulations are higher than 
within the proposed AVA because ridges and hills trap warm air and 
block the cool marine air from entering that region. East and southeast 
of the proposed AVA, GDD accumulations become significantly higher as 
one moves beyond the extent of the marine influence. South of the 
proposed AVA, within the existing Ballard Canyon AVA (27 CFR 9.230), 
the GDD accumulations are also higher. According to the petition, the 
east-west valleys that bring cool marine air inland end prior to 
reaching the Ballard Canyon AVA, resulting in warmer temperatures than 
are found in the proposed Alisos Canyon AVA.
Soils
    According to the petition, the soils of the proposed Alisos Canyon 
AVA are primarily derived from sandstone and shale. The most common 
soils within the proposed AVA are the Paso Robles Formation and Careaga 
Sandstone, which comprise 63 percent and 13 percent of the total soils, 
respectively. The petition describes the Paso Robles Formation as 
conglomerate or gravel composed mostly of siliceous shale pebbles in 
sandy to somewhat clayey matrix. The petition states that the high 
calcium content from the shale pebbles increases the thickness of the 
skins of red varietal wine grapes, which in turn increases the color 
and tannin levels in the resulting wine. The clay content

[[Page 55084]]

aids in the uptake of nutrients to the vines.
    Careaga sandstone is described as soft, fine-grained sandstone or 
sand, along with small marine shell fragments or pebbles. The petition 
states that the high sand content of the soil provides excellent 
drainage in vineyards, thus reducing the risks from certain pests such 
as nematodes and phylloxera. The low level of clay in the Careaga 
sandstone soils reduces the uptake of nutrients and reduces the vigor 
of the vines. As a result, the vines produce grapes that are smaller 
and have a higher skin-to-juice ratio than grapes of the same varietal 
grown in different soil.
    The petition states that the soils to the north of the proposed 
Alisos Canyon AVA, in the Santa Maria Valley, have sandier topsoils 
than are found within the proposed AVA. South of the proposed AVA, the 
soils are characterized by Metz fine sandy loam. To the east of the 
proposed AVA, the soils are primarily derived from serpentine and 
chert, rather than sandstone and shale. To the west of the proposed 
AVA, the soils are described as deep, sandy soils of the Shedd, 
Chamise, and Point Sal Formation series.

Summary of Distinguishing Features

    In summary, the climate and soils of the proposed Alisos Canyon AVA 
distinguish it from the surrounding regions. The proposed AVA has GDD 
accumulations that are higher than the marine-influenced regions to the 
northwest and southwest and are lower than the regions to the north, 
south, east, and southeast. The soils of the proposed AVA are derived 
primarily from sandstone and shale, and the most common soils are the 
Paso Robles Formation and Careaga sandstone. By contrast, the soils to 
the north of the proposed AVA contain more sand in the topsoil. The 
soils to the west of the proposed AVA are deeper and sandier than those 
of the proposed AVA, while the soils to the south of the proposed AVA 
are very fine sandy loams of the Mertz series. The soils to the east of 
the proposed AVA are derived from geologic parent materials that are 
not found within the proposed AVA.

Comparison of the Proposed Alisos Canyon AVA to the Existing Central 
Coast AVA

    The Central Coast AVA was established by T.D. ATF-216, published in 
the Federal Register on October 24, 1985 (50 FR 43128). It includes all 
or portions of the California counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, 
Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa 
Barbara, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz. T.D. ATF-216 describes the 
Central Coast AVA as extending from the city of Santa Barbara to the 
San Francisco Bay area, and east to the California Coastal Ranges. The 
only distinguishing feature of the Central Coast AVA discussed in T.D. 
ATF-216 is that all of the included counties experience marine climate 
influence due to their proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
    The proposed Alisos Canyon AVA is located within the Central Coast 
AVA and shares the basic viticultural feature of that established AVA--
the marine influence that moderates growing season temperatures in the 
area. The moderate GDD accumulations within the proposed AVA reflect a 
marine-influenced climate. However, the proposed AVA experiences a much 
smaller range of GDD accumulations within its proposed boundaries than 
the diverse, multicounty Central Coast AVA.

TTB Determination

    TTB concludes that the petition to establish the 5,774-acre Alisos 
Canyon AVA merits consideration and public comment, as invited in this 
notice of proposed rulemaking.

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, ``Alisos Canyon,'' 
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, wine bottlers 
using the name ``Alisos Canyon'' 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 if this proposed rule is adopted as a final 
rule.
    The approval of the proposed Alisos Canyon AVA would not affect any 
existing AVA, and any bottlers using ``Central Coast'' as an 
appellation of origin or in a brand name for wines made from grapes 
grown within the Central Coast AVA would not be affected by the 
establishment of this new AVA. The establishment of the proposed Alisos 
Canyon AVA would allow vintners to use ``Alisos Canyon'' and ``Central 
Coast'' as appellations of origin for wines made from grapes grown 
within the proposed Alisos Canyon AVA if the wines meet the eligibility 
requirements for the appellation.

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. In addition, given the proposed Alisos Canyon 
AVA's location within the existing Central Coast AVA, TTB is interested 
in comments on whether the evidence submitted in the petition regarding 
the distinguishing features of the proposed AVA sufficiently 
differentiates it from the existing AVA. TTB is also interested in 
comments on whether the geographic features of the proposed AVA are so 
distinguishable from the surrounding Central Coast AVA that the 
proposed Alisos Canyon AVA should no longer be part of that AVA. Please 
provide any available specific information in support of your comments.
    Because of the potential impact of the establishment of the 
proposed Alisos Canyon AVA on wine labels that include the term 
``Alisos Canyon'' as discussed above under Impact on

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Current Wine Labels, TTB is particularly interested in comments 
regarding whether there will be a conflict between the proposed AVA 
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 notice by using one of the 
following three methods:
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: You may send comments via the 
online comment form posted with this notice within Docket No. TTB-2019-
0007 on ``Regulations.gov,'' the Federal e-rulemaking portal, at 
https://www.regulations.gov. A direct link to that docket is available 
under Notice No. 185 on the TTB website at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine_rulemaking.shtml">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 
notice. Your comments must reference Notice No. 185 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 state if you are commenting for 
yourself 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 notice, selected 
supporting materials, and any online or mailed comments received about 
this proposal within Docket No. TTB-2019-0007 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. 185. 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 notice, 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 Public Reading Room, 1310 G Street NW, Suite 400, 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 other 
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 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 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 notice of proposed rulemaking.

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. Add Sec.  9.____to read as follows: 9.____Alisos Canyon.
    (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this 
section is ``Alisos Canyon''. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, 
``Alisos Canyon'' is a term of viticultural significance.
    (b) Approved maps. The two United States Geological Survey (USGS) 
1:24,000 scale topographic maps used to determine the boundary of the 
Alisos Canyon viticultural area are titled:
    (1) Foxen Canyon, CA, 1995; and
    (2) Zaca Creek, Calif., 1959.
    (c) Boundary. The Alisos Canyon viticultural area is located in 
Santa Barbara County, California. The boundary of the Alisos Canyon 
viticultural area is as described in paragraphs (c)(1) through (8) of 
this section:
    (1) The beginning point is on the Foxen Canyon map at an unnamed 
hilltop with a marked elevation of 1,137 feet, located west of the 
Ca[ntilde]ada de los Coches in the La Laguna Grant. From

[[Page 55086]]

the beginning point, proceed east in a straight line for 3.71 miles to 
the intersection of two unnamed, unimproved roads north of Rancho San 
Juan; then
    (2) Proceed east-southeast in a straight line for approximately 1.2 
miles to an unnamed hilltop with a marked elevation of 1,424 feet in 
the La Laguna Grant; then
    (3) Proceed southwest in a straight line for approximately 1.7 
miles, crossing onto the Zaca Creek map, to a point designated ``Oil,'' 
adjacent to the north fork of San Antonio Creek and the intersection of 
three unnamed light-duty roads in the Ca[ntilde]ada del Comasa, La 
Laguna Grant; then
    (4) Proceed west-southwest in a straight line for approximately 
1.56 miles to the intersection of the north fork of San Antonio Creek 
and the 800-foot elevation contour in the Ca[ntilde]ada del Comasa, La 
Laguna Grant; then
    (5) Proceed west in a straight line 1.95 miles to an unnamed 
rectangular structure northeast of the terminus of an unnamed, 
unimproved road north of U.S. Highway 101 and BM 684 in the La Laguna 
Grant; then
    (6) Proceed northwesterly in a straight line 0.32 mile to the 
intersection of Alisos Canyon Road and an unnamed, unimproved road east 
of the Ca[ntilde]ada de los Coches in the La Laguna Grant; then
    (7) Proceed north-northwest in a straight line for 1.68 miles, 
crossing onto the Foxen Canyon map, to an unnamed hilltop with a marked 
elevation of 997 feet in the La Laguna Grant; then
    (8) Proceed northeast in a straight line for 0.5 mile to return to 
the beginning point.

    Signed: August 6, 2019.
Mary G. Ryan
Acting Administrator.
    Approved: September 23, 2019.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy).
[FR Doc. 2019-22264 Filed 10-11-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4810-31-P