80_FR_19966 80 FR 19895 - Proposed Establishment of the Lamorinda Viticultural Area

80 FR 19895 - Proposed Establishment of the Lamorinda Viticultural Area

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 71 (April 14, 2015)

Page Range19895-19900
FR Document2015-08495

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the approximately 29,369-acre ``Lamorinda'' viticultural area in Contra Costa County, California. The proposed viticultural area lies entirely within the larger San Francisco Bay viticultural area and the multicounty 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.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 71 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19895-19900]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08495]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

27 CFR Part 9

[Docket No. TTB-2015-0007; Notice No. 151]
RIN 1513-AC17


Proposed Establishment of the Lamorinda 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 29,369-acre ``Lamorinda'' viticultural area 
in Contra Costa County, California. The proposed viticultural area lies 
entirely within the larger San Francisco Bay viticultural area and the 
multicounty 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 June 15, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please send your comments on this notice to one of the 
following addresses:
     Internet: http://www.regulations.gov (via the online 
comment form for this notice as posted within Docket No. TTB-2015-0007 
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 200-E, Washington, DC 
20005.
    See the Public Participation section of this notice for specific 
instructions and requirements for submitting comments, and for 
information on how to request a public hearing or view or obtain 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 St. 
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 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 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.

Lamorinda Petition

    TTB received a petition from Patrick L. Shabram, on behalf of the 
Lamorinda Wine Growers Association, proposing the establishment of the 
``Lamorinda'' AVA. The proposed Lamorinda AVA is located in Contra 
Costa County, California, and contains the cities of Lafayette, Moraga, 
and Orinda. The

[[Page 19896]]

proposed viticultural area lies in the northeast portion of the San 
Francisco Bay AVA (27 CFR 9.157) and also within the larger, 
multicounty Central Coast AVA (27 CFR 9.75).
    The proposed AVA contains approximately 29,369 acres and has 46 
commercially producing vineyards that cover approximately 139 acres. 
The petition states that the individual vineyards are small, each 
covering less than 5 acres, due to the hilly terrain and the largely 
suburban nature of the region. However, three much larger commercial 
vineyards covering a total of 130 acres are either in the early 
development or public review stages. There also are six bonded wineries 
currently within the proposed AVA. According to the petition, the 
distinguishing features of the proposed Lamorinda AVA include its 
topography, soils, geology, and climate. Unless otherwise noted, all 
information and data pertaining to the proposed viticultural area 
contained in this document are from the petition for the proposed 
Lamorinda AVA and its supporting exhibits, which may be viewed in 
Docket No. TTB-2015-0007 at Regulations.gov.

Name Evidence

    The proposed Lamorinda AVA takes its name from a commonly used 
portmanteau derived from the names of the three cities within the 
region: Lafayette (``La''), Moraga (``mor''), and Orinda (``inda''). As 
evidence of the use of the name ``Lamorinda'' in this region, the 
petition included a Rand McNally map of the region titled 
``Lamorinda.'' The petition also included a listing of publications, 
sports clubs, businesses, and organizations within the proposed AVA 
that use the name ``Lamorinda.'' For example, a biweekly newspaper 
entitled Lamorinda Weekly and a Web site known as Lamorinda Web both 
provide news and information about the community. The Lamorinda Soccer 
Club, the Lamorinda Baseball Club, and the Lamorinda Rugby Football 
Club are all youth sports organizations in the region. A local 
transportation service known as the Lamorinda Spirit Van provides 
transportation for the elderly and individuals with disabilities within 
the region of the proposed AVA. Other businesses and organizations 
cited in the petition include Lamorinda Moms, Lamorinda Democratic 
Club, Lamorinda Sunrise Rotary, Lamorinda Music, Lamorinda Pediatrics, 
Lamorinda Theatre Academy, and Lamorinda Solar.

Boundary Evidence

    The proposed Lamorinda AVA is comprised of hilly-to-mountainous 
terrain and occupies an area described in the petition as suburban. 
Elevations range from approximately 220 feet along Las Trampas Creek, 
which runs through the city of Lafayette in the eastern portion of the 
proposed AVA, to a 2,024-foot peak on Rocky Ridge in the southeastern 
corner of the proposed AVA.
    The eastern boundary of the proposed Lamorinda AVA follows a series 
of straight lines drawn along the ridgeline that separates the city of 
Walnut Creek, which lies just outside the boundary, from the city of 
Lafayette. The proposed eastern boundary also separates the hilly 
terrain of the proposed AVA from the flatter, lower elevations of the 
Ygnacio Valley and the San Ramon Valley. The proposed southern boundary 
follows a series of straight lines drawn between peaks to separate the 
proposed AVA from the more rugged, mountainous terrain to the south. 
The proposed western boundary follows a series of lines drawn between 
mountain peaks to follow the Gudde Ridge, which separates the proposed 
AVA from the Berkeley Hills and Oakland Highlands, both of which lie 
west of the proposed AVA. West of the Berkeley Hills and Oakland 
Highlands, the land slopes sharply towards the flatter, lower terrain 
surrounding San Leandro Bay and San Francisco Bay. The proposed 
northern boundary follows a portion of the corporate boundary line of 
the city of Orinda and a series of straight lines drawn between unnamed 
peaks whose elevations are marked on the USGS maps. The proposed 
boundary separates the proposed AVA from the lower, slightly cooler 
region surrounding the Briones Reservoir, the San Pablo Reservoir, and 
Suisun Bay, which all lie just north of the proposed AVA.

Distinguishing Features

    The distinguishing features of the proposed Lamorinda AVA include 
its topography, soils, geology, and climate.
Topography
    The proposed Lamorinda AVA is characterized by hilly-to-mountainous 
terrain, with a number of moderate-to-steep slopes throughout the 
region. Valleys within the proposed AVA tend to be very narrow. The 
high ridgelines that form the northern and western boundaries of the 
proposed AVA limit the amount of cool marine air that enters the 
region, giving the proposed AVA a warmer climate than the regions to 
the north and west.
    According to the petition, the hilly terrain of the proposed AVA 
affects viticulture. All vineyards within the proposed AVA are located 
on hillsides because the valley floors are too narrow for commercial 
viticulture. Because of the steepness of the hillsides, machinery 
cannot be used safely in the vineyards. Therefore, all vineyard work, 
including harvesting, must be done by hand. The inability to use 
machinery keeps the vineyards small. The steep hillsides also promote 
airflow within the vineyards, which dries and cools the vines and 
reduces the risk of mildew. Finally, the hilly terrain is suitable for 
growing both cool- and warm-climate varietals, sometimes within the 
same vineyard. As an example of cool- and warm-climate grapes growing 
in the same vineyard, the petition cites the Captain Vineyards in 
Moraga, which grows both Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. The 
steepness of the vineyard means vines planted on the lower portions of 
the hillsides receive less sunlight, making the temperature cool enough 
to grow cool-climate grapes such as Pinot Noir. By contrast, the 
hilltops receive more sunlight, which raises the temperature enough to 
grow warm-climate grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
    The hilly-to-mountainous topography of the proposed Lamorinda AVA 
contrasts with the terrain of the surrounding regions. To the north, 
the terrain becomes flatter as the land slopes down towards Suisun Bay. 
To the immediate east of the proposed AVA are the Ygnacio Valley and 
San Ramon Valley, which both have flatter terrain than the proposed 
AVA. To the immediate south of the proposed AVA, the topography is more 
mountainous and rugged than within the proposed AVA. To the west, the 
Berkeley Hills and Oakland Hills give way to the flat coastal terrain 
along San Leandro Bay and San Francisco Bay.
    In addition to having a distinctive topography, the proposed 
Lamorinda AVA also has a suburban land use pattern that is distinct 
from many other AVAs. According to the petition, 79.5 percent of the 
proposed AVA is located within the city limits of Lafayette, Moraga, 
and Orinda. However, the petition also notes that the proposed AVA has 
semi-rural characteristics, with homes on large lots and a low 
population density. As a result, property owners often have room to 
plant vineyards that are large enough to allow for commercial 
viticulture. The petition states that the areas to the immediate east 
and west of the proposed AVA are more urban than the proposed AVA, with 
higher population densities and land that is subdivided into much 
smaller lots than the land within the proposed Lamorinda AVA. 
Therefore,

[[Page 19897]]

commercial viticulture is not possible within those areas.
Soils
    According to a geological report included with the petition as 
Exhibit B, the soils of the proposed Lamorinda AVA are classified as 
mollisols and vertisols. Mollisols are soils that are high in organic 
material and calcium and are common in areas where grass is the 
predominant native vegetation. Vertisols, the predominant soils in the 
proposed AVA, have high levels of clay and are known to shrink and form 
deep cracks during dry periods. The high clay content in the soils of 
the proposed AVA is attributable to the weathering of the clay-rich 
Orinda Formation that underlies the region.
    The most prevalent soil series within the proposed AVA are Los Osos 
clay loam, Lodo clay loam, Alo clay, Sehorn clay, and Altamont-Fontana 
Complex. Clay-rich soils such as these typically have high water-
holding capacities, which can reduce the sugar content of the grapes 
and increase the risk of diseases and rot in vineyards. However, the 
soils of the proposed Lamorinda AVA have lower than expected water-
holding capacities because the thinness of the soils, the steepness of 
the terrain, and the presence of sand in the soils all allow for the 
rapid runoff of excess water. The thinness of the soils also has the 
added effect of preventing the vines from growing too vigorously.
    The soils of the proposed Lamorinda AVA are distinctive from the 
soils in the surrounding regions. The soils to the west, south, and 
southeast of the proposed AVA are formed from a combination of 
sedimentary and volcanic materials. To the north of the proposed 
Lamorinda AVA, the soils along the Suisun Bay are fine-grained bay mud, 
which is unsuitable for viticulture due to its high water-holding 
capacity. To the east in the Ygnacio Valley, the soils are deeper, 
coarser alluvial deposits.
Geology
    The dominant geological formation of the proposed AVA is the Orinda 
Formation. Other major geological formations within the proposed AVA 
include the Briones Formation and the Mulholland Formation. All three 
of these underlying geological formations contain large amounts of 
sedimentary rocks, including sandstone. Other sedimentary rocks present 
within these formations include shale, which is common in the 
Mulholland Formation, and claystone casts, which are present in large 
numbers in the Orinda Formation.
    The proposed Lamorinda AVA is bordered by two major faults. The 
Hayward Fault lies to the west of the proposed AVA and passes through 
the cities of Oakland and Berkeley. The Calaveras Fault runs east of 
the proposed AVA and through the city of Walnut Creek. The two faults 
angle toward each other and merge south of the proposed AVA. Millions 
of years ago, seismic activity in the Hayward Fault led to the 
uplifting of the Berkeley Hills and the formation of a restricted 
marine basin in the region of the proposed AVA. A restricted marine 
basin is a body of saltwater or brackish water that has more water 
flowing into the basin than out of it, due to the surrounding 
topography. Fine materials weathering from the Berkeley Hills, to the 
west, and the foothills of Mount Diablo, to the southeast, settled in 
this basin and led to the creation of the Orinda Formation. Eventually, 
the basin was completely restricted and became a shallow lake. The 
deposition of weathered material into this shallow lake created the 
Mulholland Formation. Over time, seismic activity along the Hayward 
Fault and the Calaveras Fault uplifted the bottom of the shallow lake, 
draining the lake and forming the hilly terrain that is characteristic 
of the proposed Lamorinda AVA.
    To the east of the proposed Lamorinda AVA, the dominant geological 
formation is the Tassajara-Green Valley Formation, which consists of 
mudstone, sandstone, and small amounts of volcanic material. To the 
south of the proposed AVA, the Orinda, Briones, and Mulholland 
Formations continue to dominate, eventually giving way to the Forearc 
Assemblage. To the west, the dominant geologic formations are the 
Forearc Assemblage, the Franciscan Formation, and the Great Valley 
Ophiolite, along with the Moraga Formation and Siesta Formation. To the 
north, the Briones and Monterey Formations dominate and eventually give 
way to Forearc Assemblage.
    The geology of the proposed Lamorinda AVA affects viticulture 
indirectly through its role in forming the terrain and soils of the 
region. Erosion of the Orinda Formation led to the formation of the 
proposed AVA's clay-rich soils with high water-holding capacities. The 
uplifting of the floor of the ancient lake created the steep, hilly 
terrain of the proposed AVA. The steepness of the hills provides good 
drainage and limits the depth of the soils, both of which help mitigate 
the high water-holding capacity of the soils in the proposed AVA. 
Finally, the hills of the proposed AVA allow for good airflow in 
vineyards and provide a variety of slope aspects that are suitable for 
growing a wide variety of grapes.
Climate
    Ridgelines shelter the proposed Lamorinda AVA from much of the 
diurnal fog and cool marine air moving inland from San Francisco Bay, 
San Pablo Bay, and Suisun Bay. While some marine air enters the 
proposed AVA through narrow creek valleys and wind gaps, the region is 
less exposed to the cool air as the regions along the bays. 
Additionally, the small amount of daytime fog that enters the proposed 
AVA is thin and burns off quickly, unlike the heavier, longer-lasting 
fog of the coastal areas. As a result, the proposed AVA receives more 
sunlight and has generally warmer temperatures than the surrounding 
regions, except for the regions farther inland, which receive very 
little, if any, marine air and fog. The proposed AVA does receive some 
nocturnal fog, although the petition states that nocturnal fog has a 
different effect on temperatures than diurnal fog. Diurnal fog usually 
lowers daytime temperatures by blocking the sunlight. By contrast, 
nocturnal fog has a modest warming effect on nighttime temperatures. 
When the heat that has been absorbed by soil during the day is released 
back into the air at night, nocturnal fog acts as a blanket, trapping 
the heat closer to the ground and preventing it from dissipating.
    The petition included annual growing degree day (GDD) \1\ data from 
eight weather stations within and around the proposed Lamorinda AVA. 
The data from all eight stations is contained in Exhibit C of the 
petition. Of the four stations that had complete data from 2007 to 
2011, the data showed that the proposed AVA had the highest GDD 
accumulations over that period, which substantiates the petition's 
claim that the proposed AVA is sheltered from cooling marine air and 
diurnal fog more so than surrounding areas. The following table from 
the petition summarizes the GDD data from the four stations that had 
complete data from 2007 to 2011.
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    \1\ 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, the 
minimum temperature required for grapevine growth. See Albert J. 
Winkler, General Viticulture (Berkeley: University of California 
Press, 1974), pages 61-64.

[[Page 19898]]



                                    Annual Growing Degree Data From 2007-2011
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                                       Lafayette       Oakland Foothills
                                     Reservoir \2\        \3\ (South-         Concord \4\       Pleasanton \5\
              Year                 (within proposed      southwest of        (Northwest of       (Southeast of
                                         AVA)            proposed AVA)       proposed AVA)       proposed AVA)
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2007............................               2,928               2,187               3,024               2,863
2008............................               3,325               2,479               3,209               3,068
2009............................               3,215               2,367               3,068               3,090
2010............................               2,816               2,103               2,664               2,599
2011............................               2,995               2,173               2,778               2,842
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    The data from the remaining four weather stations \6\ outside the 
proposed AVA was incomplete for the years between 2007 and 2011. 
However, the data that was provided also shows that the proposed AVA 
had higher GDD accumulations than three of those stations. The fourth 
station, located in Brentwood, California, which is to the east of the 
proposed AVA, had higher GDD accumulations than the proposed AVA. This 
further substantiates the petition's claim that areas outside of the 
proposed AVA, such as Brentwood and other areas located much farther 
inland, differ in that they receive less marine air and fog than the 
proposed AVA.
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    \2\ Data from the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) 
station located at the reservoir.
    \3\ Data from the California Irrigation Management Information 
System (CIMIS) station #147 (``Oakland Foothills'') on the campus of 
Mills College in Oakland, CA.
    \4\ Data from the CIMIS station #170 (``Concord'') on the Diablo 
Creek Golf Course in Concord, CA.
    \5\ Data from the CIMIS station #191 (``Pleasanton'') located in 
Alameda County, CA.
    \6\ EBMUD station at San Pablo Reservoir (north-northwest of 
proposed AVA), EBMUD station at Briones Reservoir (north of proposed 
AVA), EBMUD station at Upper San Leandro Reservoir (south of 
proposed AVA), and CMIS station #47 (``Brentwood'') in Brentwood 
(east of proposed AVA).
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    The warm temperatures, high GDD accumulations, and lack of diurnal 
fog in the proposed Lamorinda AVA have an effect on viticulture. 
Slower-maturing varieties of grapes have ample time to ripen because 
the warm temperatures and plentiful sunlight allow for long days of 
photosynthesis. By contrast, slower-maturing varieties of grapes are 
less likely to ripen successfully in the cooler, foggier regions to the 
north, south, and west of the proposed AVA because lower temperatures 
and lower levels of sunlight interrupt photosynthesis.
Summary of Distinguishing Features
    In summary, the evidence provided in the petition indicates that 
the geographic features of the proposed Lamorinda AVA are 
distinguishable from those of the surrounding regions. The terrain of 
the proposed AVA is moderate-to-steep hills, which contrasts with the 
steeper, more rugged terrain to the south and west and the lower, 
flatter plains to the north and east. The soils of the proposed AVA are 
high in clay, whereas volcanic materials are present in the soils to 
the south and west and alluvial deposits are prominent to the north and 
east. The dominant geological formation of the proposed Lamorinda AVA 
is the Orinda Formation, whereas the Tassajara-Green Valley Formation 
is prominent to the east and the Forearc Assemblage dominates the 
regions to the north, west, and south. Finally, the surrounding regions 
are more exposed to marine air and fog and have lower GDD accumulations 
than the proposed AVA.

Comparison of the Proposed Lamorinda Viticultural Area to the Existing 
San Francisco Bay and Central Coast AVAs

San Francisco Bay AVA
    The San Francisco Bay AVA was established by T.D. ATF-407, which 
was published in the Federal Register on January 20, 1999 (64 FR 3024). 
According to T.D. ATF-407, the San Francisco Bay AVA is distinguished 
by a climate that is heavily influenced by marine air and fog from San 
Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The presence of stream valleys and 
wind gaps in the region allows limited amounts of marine air and fog to 
travel beyond the coastal mountains and into the interior regions of 
the AVA. However, as one travels easterly from the coastline, the 
climate generally becomes drier and warmer as the marine influence 
diminishes.
    The proposed Lamorinda AVA is located in the eastern portion of the 
San Francisco Bay AVA and shares some broad characteristics of the 
larger San Francisco Bay AVA. While the proposed Lamorinda AVA receives 
some marine air that enters the region through stream valleys and wind 
gaps, much of the cooling air is blocked by the higher elevations that 
surround the proposed AVA to the north, west, and south. The proposed 
AVA also experiences some light nocturnal marine fog, but the heavy 
diurnal fog that characterizes the more coastal portions of the San 
Francisco Bay AVA seldom occurs.
Central Coast AVA
    The large, 1 million-acre Central Coast AVA was established by T.D. 
ATF-216, which was published in the Federal Register on October 24, 
1985 (50 FR 43128). The Central Coast viticultural area encompasses the 
California counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San 
Francisco, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, and 
Santa Cruz, and it contains 28 established AVAs. T.D. ATF-216 describes 
the Central Coast viticultural area as extending from Santa Barbara to 
the San Francisco Bay area, and east to the California Coastal Ranges. 
The only distinguishing feature of the California Coast AVA addressed 
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 Lamorinda AVA is located within the Central Coast AVA 
and, like the larger AVA, experiences mild marine breezes and nocturnal 
marine fog. However, due to its much smaller size, the proposed AVA has 
greater uniformity in geographical features such as topography, 
temperature, and soils, than the larger, multicounty Central Coast AVA.

TTB Determination

    TTB concludes that the petition to establish the approximately 
29,369-acre Lamorinda 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 
viticultural area 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.

[[Page 19899]]

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 or with a 
brand name that includes an AVA name, at least 85 percent of the wine 
must be derived from grapes grown within the area represented by that 
name, and the wine must meet the other conditions listed in 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 
or other viticulturally significant term 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, ``Lamorinda,'' 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 ``Lamorinda'' 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 as an appellation of 
origin if this proposed rule is adopted as a final rule.
    The approval of the proposed Lamorinda AVA would not affect any 
existing viticultural area, and any bottlers using ``San Francisco 
Bay'' or ``Central Coast'' as an appellation of origin or in a brand 
name for wines made from grapes grown within the San Francisco Bay or 
Central Coast AVAs would not be affected by the establishment of this 
new AVA. The establishment of the proposed Lamorinda AVA would allow 
vintners to use ``Lamorinda,'' ``San Francisco Bay,'' and ``Central 
Coast'' as appellations of origin for wines made from grapes grown 
within the proposed Lamorinda 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 Lamorinda 
AVA's location within the existing San Francisco Bay and Central Coast 
AVAs, 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 San Francisco Bay 
and Central Coast AVAs. TTB also is interested in comments whether the 
geographic features of the proposed AVA are so distinguishable from the 
surrounding San Francisco Bay and Central Coast AVAs that the proposed 
Lamorinda AVA should no longer be part of those AVAs. Please provide 
any available specific information in support of your comments.
    Because of the potential impact of the establishment of the 
proposed Lamorinda AVA on wine labels that include the term 
``Lamorinda'' 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 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 also is 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-2015-
0007 on Regulations.gov, the Federal e-rulemaking portal, at http://www.regulations.gov. A direct link to that docket is available under 
Notice No. 151 on the TTB Web site at  http://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine_rulemaking.shtml">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.
     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 200-E, Washington, DC 20005.
    Please submit your comments by the closing date shown above in this 
notice. Your comments must reference Notice No. 151 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-2015-0007 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. 151. 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

[[Page 19900]]

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 also may 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 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 other 
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 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. Subpart C is amended by adding Sec.  9.___to read as follows:


Sec.  9.  Lamorinda.

    (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this 
section is ``Lamorinda''. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, 
``Lamorinda'' is a term of viticultural significance.
    (b) Approved maps. The four United States Geological Survey (USGS) 
1:24,000 scale topographic maps used to determine the boundary of the 
Lamorinda viticultural area are titled:
    (1) Walnut Creek, CA, 1995;
    (2) Las Trampas Ridge, CA, 1995;
    (3) Oakland East, CA, 1997; and
    (4) Briones Valley, CA, 1995.
    (c) Boundary. The Lamorinda viticultural area is located in Contra 
Costa County, California. The boundary of the Lamorinda viticultural 
area is as described below:
    (1) The beginning point is on Walnut Creek map at the water tank 
(known locally as the Withers Reservoir) at the end of an unnamed 
light-duty road known locally as Kim Road, in the Ca[ntilde]ada del 
Hambre Y Las Bolsas Land Grant.
    (2) From the beginning point, proceed south-southeast in a straight 
line approximately 0.8 mile to the 833-foot peak marked ``Hump 2;'' 
then
    (3) Proceed southeast in a straight line approximately 1.7 miles to 
the marked 781-foot peak south of the shared Lafayette-Walnut Creek 
corporate boundary line and north of an unnamed light-duty road known 
locally as Peaceful Lane; then
    (4) Proceed southeast in a straight line approximately 0.3 mile to 
the marked 610-foot peak southwest of an unnamed light-duty road known 
locally as Secluded Place; then
    (5) Proceed south-southwest in a straight line approximately 1.7 
miles to an unidentified benchmark at the end of an unnamed unimproved 
road known locally as Diablo Oaks Way in section 33, T1N/R2W; then
    (6) Proceed southeast in a straight line approximately 0.5 mile, 
crossing onto the Las Trampas map, and continuing another 0.9 mile to 
the substation at the southeast corner of section 4, T1S/R2W; then
    (7) Proceed southeast in a straight line approximately 2.3 miles to 
the 1,827-foot summit of Las Trampas Peak, section 22, T1S/R2W; then
    (8) Proceed south-southeast in a straight line approximately 2.1 
miles to the 2,024-foot benchmark marked ``Rock 2'' in section 26, T1S/
R2W; then
    (9) Proceed west-southwest in a straight line approximately 2.7 
miles to the marked 1,057-foot peak in section 29, T1S/R2W; then
    (10) Proceed west-southwest in a straight line approximately 2 
miles to the intersection of the 1,000-foot elevation line with the 
Contra Costa-Alameda County line in section 31, T1S/R2W; then
    (11) Proceed northwest in a straight line approximately 0.4 mile, 
crossing onto the Oakland East map, then continuing another 0.1 mile to 
the 1,121-foot peak in section 30, T1S/R2W; then
    (12) Proceed northwest in a straight line approximately 3.6 miles 
to the 1,301-foot peak in section 15, T1S/R3W; then
    (13) Proceed northwest in a straight line approximately 1.6 miles 
to the 1,634-foot peak in section 9, T1S/R3W; then
    (14) Proceed northwest in a straight line approximately 2.2 miles 
to the communication tower on the Contra Costa-Alameda County line in 
section 5, T1S/R3W; then
    (15) Proceed north in a straight line approximately 0.1 mile, 
crossing onto the Briones Valley map, then continuing another 0.6 mile 
to the 1,905-foot summit of Vollmer Peak in the El Sobrante Land Grant; 
then
    (16) Proceed north-northeast in a straight line approximately 3 
miles, crossing over to the 1,027-foot peak in the Boca de la 
Ca[ntilde]ada del Pinole Land Grant, to the Orinda corporate boundary 
line; then
    (17) Proceed generally east along the Orinda corporate boundary 
line approximately 3.3 miles to the water tank at the 1,142-foot 
elevation in the Boca de la Ca[ntilde]ada del Pinole Land Grant; then
    (18) Proceed east-northeast in a straight line approximately 1.2 
miles to the 1,357-foot benchmark marked ``Russell'' in the Boca de la 
Ca[ntilde]ada del Pinole Land Grant; then
    (19) Proceed northwest in a straight line approximately 0.8 mile to 
the 1,405-foot peak in the Boca de la Ca[ntilde]ada del Pinole Land 
Grant; then
    (20) Proceed east-northeast in a straight line approximately 0.5 
mile, crossing onto the Walnut Creek map, then continuing another 1.1 
miles to the beginning point.

    Signed: April 7, 2015.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2015-08495 Filed 4-13-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4810-31-P



                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           19895

                                                      (p) Related Information                                 notice as posted within Docket No.                     Definition
                                                         (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing                    TTB–2015–0007 at Regulations.gov, the                    Section 4.25(e)(1)(i) of the TTB
                                                      Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA                   Federal e-rulemaking portal);                          regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(1)(i)) defines
                                                      Airworthiness Directive 2013–0232R1, dated
                                                                                                                • U.S. Mail: Director, Regulations and               a viticultural area for American wine as
                                                      October 2, 2013, for related information. This
                                                      MCAI may be found in the AD docket on the               Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco                  a delimited grape-growing region having
                                                      Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by               Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street                    distinguishing features, as described in
                                                      searching for and locating Docket No. FAA–              NW., Box 12, Washington, DC 20005; or                  part 9 of the regulations, and a name
                                                      2015–0824.                                                • Hand delivery/courier in lieu of                   and a delineated boundary, as
                                                         (2) For service information identified in            mail: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and                      established in part 9 of the regulations.
                                                      this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness                                                                     These designations allow vintners and
                                                                                                              Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW., Suite
                                                      Office—EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice                                                                               consumers to attribute a given quality,
                                                      Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France;                  200–E, Washington, DC 20005.
                                                                                                                                                                     reputation, or other characteristic of a
                                                      telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61                 See the PUBLIC PARTICIPATION section                 wine made from grapes grown in an area
                                                      93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@                   of this notice for specific instructions
                                                      airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com.                                                                    to the wine’s geographic origin. The
                                                                                                              and requirements for submitting                        establishment of AVAs allows vintners
                                                      You may view this service information at the            comments, and for information on how
                                                      FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601                                                                      to describe more accurately the origin of
                                                      Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
                                                                                                              to request a public hearing or view or                 their wines to consumers and helps
                                                      information on the availability of this                 obtain copies of the petition and                      consumers to identify wines they may
                                                      material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221.                 supporting materials.                                  purchase. Establishment of an AVA is
                                                        Issued in Renton, Washington, on March                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                       neither an approval nor an endorsement
                                                      27, 2015.                                               Karen A. Thornton, Regulations and                     by TTB of the wine produced in that
                                                      Michael Kaszycki,                                       Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco                  area.
                                                      Acting Manager, Transport Airplane                      Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G St. NW.,                  Requirements
                                                      Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.            Box 12, Washington, DC 20005; phone
                                                      [FR Doc. 2015–08071 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am]             202–453–1039, ext. 175.                                  Section 4.25(e)(2) of the TTB
                                                      BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
                                                                                                                                                                     regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(2)) outlines
                                                                                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                             the procedure for proposing an AVA
                                                                                                              Background on Viticultural Areas                       and provides that any interested party
                                                                                                                                                                     may petition TTB to establish a grape-
                                                      DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                              TTB Authority                                          growing region as an AVA. Section 9.12
                                                      Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade                                                                              of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 9.12)
                                                                                                                 Section 105(e) of the Federal Alcohol               prescribes the standards for petitions for
                                                      Bureau                                                  Administration Act (FAA Act), 27                       the establishment or modification of
                                                                                                              U.S.C. 205(e), authorizes the Secretary                AVAs. Petitions to establish an AVA
                                                      27 CFR Part 9                                           of the Treasury to prescribe regulations               must include the following:
                                                      [Docket No. TTB–2015–0007; Notice No.                   for the labeling of wine, distilled spirits,             • Evidence that the area within the
                                                      151]                                                    and malt beverages. The FAA Act                        proposed AVA boundary is nationally
                                                                                                              provides that these regulations should,                or locally known by the AVA name
                                                      RIN 1513–AC17
                                                                                                              among other things, prohibit consumer                  specified in the petition;
                                                      Proposed Establishment of the                           deception and the use of misleading                      • An explanation of the basis for
                                                      Lamorinda Viticultural Area                             statements on labels, and ensure that                  defining the boundary of the proposed
                                                                                                              labels provide the consumer with                       AVA;
                                                      AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and                     adequate information as to the identity                  • A narrative description of the
                                                      Trade Bureau, Treasury.                                 and quality of the product. The Alcohol                features of the proposed AVA affecting
                                                      ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.                  and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau                       viticulture, such as climate, geology,
                                                                                                              (TTB) administers the FAA Act                          soils, physical features, and elevation,
                                                      SUMMARY:   The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax                  pursuant to section 1111(d) of the                     that make the proposed AVA distinctive
                                                      and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to                      Homeland Security Act of 2002,                         and distinguish it from adjacent areas
                                                      establish the approximately 29,369-acre                 codified at 6 U.S.C. 531(d). The                       outside the proposed AVA boundary;
                                                      ‘‘Lamorinda’’ viticultural area in Contra               Secretary has delegated various                          • The appropriate United States
                                                      Costa County, California. The proposed                  authorities through Treasury                           Geological Survey (USGS) map(s)
                                                      viticultural area lies entirely within the              Department Order 120–01 (Revised),                     showing the location of the proposed
                                                      larger San Francisco Bay viticultural                   dated December 10, 2013, to the TTB                    AVA, with the boundary of the
                                                      area and the multicounty Central Coast                  Administrator to perform the functions                 proposed AVA clearly drawn thereon;
                                                      viticultural area. TTB designates                       and duties in the administration and                   and
                                                      viticultural areas to allow vintners to                 enforcement of this law.                                 • A detailed narrative description of
                                                      better describe the origin of their wines                  Part 4 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR               the proposed AVA boundary based on
                                                      and to allow consumers to better                        part 4) authorizes TTB to establish                    USGS map markings.
                                                      identify wines they may purchase. TTB                   definitive viticultural areas and regulate
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      invites comments on this proposed                       the use of their names as appellations of              Lamorinda Petition
                                                      addition to its regulations.                            origin on wine labels and in wine                        TTB received a petition from Patrick
                                                      DATES: Comments must be received by                     advertisements. Part 9 of the TTB                      L. Shabram, on behalf of the Lamorinda
                                                      June 15, 2015.                                          regulations (27 CFR part 9) sets forth                 Wine Growers Association, proposing
                                                      ADDRESSES: Please send your comments                    standards for the preparation and                      the establishment of the ‘‘Lamorinda’’
                                                      on this notice to one of the following                  submission of petitions for the                        AVA. The proposed Lamorinda AVA is
                                                      addresses:                                              establishment or modification of                       located in Contra Costa County,
                                                         • Internet: http://www.regulations.gov               American viticultural areas (AVAs) and                 California, and contains the cities of
                                                      (via the online comment form for this                   lists the approved AVAs.                               Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda. The


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                                                      19896                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      proposed viticultural area lies in the                  terrain and occupies an area described                 proposed AVA are located on hillsides
                                                      northeast portion of the San Francisco                  in the petition as suburban. Elevations                because the valley floors are too narrow
                                                      Bay AVA (27 CFR 9.157) and also                         range from approximately 220 feet along                for commercial viticulture. Because of
                                                      within the larger, multicounty Central                  Las Trampas Creek, which runs through                  the steepness of the hillsides, machinery
                                                      Coast AVA (27 CFR 9.75).                                the city of Lafayette in the eastern                   cannot be used safely in the vineyards.
                                                         The proposed AVA contains                            portion of the proposed AVA, to a                      Therefore, all vineyard work, including
                                                      approximately 29,369 acres and has 46                   2,024-foot peak on Rocky Ridge in the                  harvesting, must be done by hand. The
                                                      commercially producing vineyards that                   southeastern corner of the proposed                    inability to use machinery keeps the
                                                      cover approximately 139 acres. The                      AVA.                                                   vineyards small. The steep hillsides also
                                                      petition states that the individual                        The eastern boundary of the proposed                promote airflow within the vineyards,
                                                      vineyards are small, each covering less                 Lamorinda AVA follows a series of                      which dries and cools the vines and
                                                      than 5 acres, due to the hilly terrain and              straight lines drawn along the ridgeline               reduces the risk of mildew. Finally, the
                                                      the largely suburban nature of the                      that separates the city of Walnut Creek,               hilly terrain is suitable for growing both
                                                      region. However, three much larger                      which lies just outside the boundary,                  cool- and warm-climate varietals,
                                                      commercial vineyards covering a total of                from the city of Lafayette. The proposed               sometimes within the same vineyard. As
                                                      130 acres are either in the early                       eastern boundary also separates the                    an example of cool- and warm-climate
                                                      development or public review stages.                    hilly terrain of the proposed AVA from                 grapes growing in the same vineyard,
                                                      There also are six bonded wineries                      the flatter, lower elevations of the                   the petition cites the Captain Vineyards
                                                      currently within the proposed AVA.                      Ygnacio Valley and the San Ramon                       in Moraga, which grows both Pinot Noir
                                                      According to the petition, the                          Valley. The proposed southern                          and Cabernet Sauvignon. The steepness
                                                      distinguishing features of the proposed                 boundary follows a series of straight                  of the vineyard means vines planted on
                                                      Lamorinda AVA include its topography,                   lines drawn between peaks to separate                  the lower portions of the hillsides
                                                      soils, geology, and climate. Unless                     the proposed AVA from the more                         receive less sunlight, making the
                                                      otherwise noted, all information and                    rugged, mountainous terrain to the                     temperature cool enough to grow cool-
                                                      data pertaining to the proposed                         south. The proposed western boundary                   climate grapes such as Pinot Noir. By
                                                      viticultural area contained in this                     follows a series of lines drawn between                contrast, the hilltops receive more
                                                      document are from the petition for the                  mountain peaks to follow the Gudde                     sunlight, which raises the temperature
                                                      proposed Lamorinda AVA and its                          Ridge, which separates the proposed                    enough to grow warm-climate grapes
                                                      supporting exhibits, which may be                       AVA from the Berkeley Hills and                        such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
                                                      viewed in Docket No. TTB–2015–0007                      Oakland Highlands, both of which lie                      The hilly-to-mountainous topography
                                                      at Regulations.gov.                                     west of the proposed AVA. West of the                  of the proposed Lamorinda AVA
                                                      Name Evidence                                           Berkeley Hills and Oakland Highlands,                  contrasts with the terrain of the
                                                                                                              the land slopes sharply towards the                    surrounding regions. To the north, the
                                                         The proposed Lamorinda AVA takes                     flatter, lower terrain surrounding San
                                                      its name from a commonly used                                                                                  terrain becomes flatter as the land
                                                                                                              Leandro Bay and San Francisco Bay.                     slopes down towards Suisun Bay. To
                                                      portmanteau derived from the names of                   The proposed northern boundary
                                                      the three cities within the region:                                                                            the immediate east of the proposed AVA
                                                                                                              follows a portion of the corporate                     are the Ygnacio Valley and San Ramon
                                                      Lafayette (‘‘La’’), Moraga (‘‘mor’’), and               boundary line of the city of Orinda and
                                                      Orinda (‘‘inda’’). As evidence of the use                                                                      Valley, which both have flatter terrain
                                                                                                              a series of straight lines drawn between               than the proposed AVA. To the
                                                      of the name ‘‘Lamorinda’’ in this region,               unnamed peaks whose elevations are
                                                      the petition included a Rand McNally                                                                           immediate south of the proposed AVA,
                                                                                                              marked on the USGS maps. The                           the topography is more mountainous
                                                      map of the region titled ‘‘Lamorinda.’’                 proposed boundary separates the
                                                      The petition also included a listing of                                                                        and rugged than within the proposed
                                                                                                              proposed AVA from the lower, slightly                  AVA. To the west, the Berkeley Hills
                                                      publications, sports clubs, businesses,                 cooler region surrounding the Briones
                                                      and organizations within the proposed                                                                          and Oakland Hills give way to the flat
                                                                                                              Reservoir, the San Pablo Reservoir, and                coastal terrain along San Leandro Bay
                                                      AVA that use the name ‘‘Lamorinda.’’                    Suisun Bay, which all lie just north of
                                                      For example, a biweekly newspaper                                                                              and San Francisco Bay.
                                                                                                              the proposed AVA.
                                                      entitled Lamorinda Weekly and a Web                                                                               In addition to having a distinctive
                                                      site known as Lamorinda Web both                        Distinguishing Features                                topography, the proposed Lamorinda
                                                      provide news and information about the                    The distinguishing features of the                   AVA also has a suburban land use
                                                      community. The Lamorinda Soccer                         proposed Lamorinda AVA include its                     pattern that is distinct from many other
                                                      Club, the Lamorinda Baseball Club, and                  topography, soils, geology, and climate.               AVAs. According to the petition, 79.5
                                                      the Lamorinda Rugby Football Club are                                                                          percent of the proposed AVA is located
                                                      all youth sports organizations in the                   Topography                                             within the city limits of Lafayette,
                                                      region. A local transportation service                    The proposed Lamorinda AVA is                        Moraga, and Orinda. However, the
                                                      known as the Lamorinda Spirit Van                       characterized by hilly-to-mountainous                  petition also notes that the proposed
                                                      provides transportation for the elderly                 terrain, with a number of moderate-to-                 AVA has semi-rural characteristics, with
                                                      and individuals with disabilities within                steep slopes throughout the region.                    homes on large lots and a low
                                                      the region of the proposed AVA. Other                   Valleys within the proposed AVA tend                   population density. As a result, property
                                                      businesses and organizations cited in                   to be very narrow. The high ridgelines                 owners often have room to plant
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      the petition include Lamorinda Moms,                    that form the northern and western                     vineyards that are large enough to allow
                                                      Lamorinda Democratic Club, Lamorinda                    boundaries of the proposed AVA limit                   for commercial viticulture. The petition
                                                      Sunrise Rotary, Lamorinda Music,                        the amount of cool marine air that                     states that the areas to the immediate
                                                      Lamorinda Pediatrics, Lamorinda                         enters the region, giving the proposed                 east and west of the proposed AVA are
                                                      Theatre Academy, and Lamorinda Solar.                   AVA a warmer climate than the regions                  more urban than the proposed AVA,
                                                                                                              to the north and west.                                 with higher population densities and
                                                      Boundary Evidence                                         According to the petition, the hilly                 land that is subdivided into much
                                                        The proposed Lamorinda AVA is                         terrain of the proposed AVA affects                    smaller lots than the land within the
                                                      comprised of hilly-to-mountainous                       viticulture. All vineyards within the                  proposed Lamorinda AVA. Therefore,


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                                     19897

                                                      commercial viticulture is not possible                  common in the Mulholland Formation,                    terrain of the proposed AVA. The
                                                      within those areas.                                     and claystone casts, which are present                 steepness of the hills provides good
                                                                                                              in large numbers in the Orinda                         drainage and limits the depth of the
                                                      Soils
                                                                                                              Formation.                                             soils, both of which help mitigate the
                                                         According to a geological report                        The proposed Lamorinda AVA is                       high water-holding capacity of the soils
                                                      included with the petition as Exhibit B,                bordered by two major faults. The                      in the proposed AVA. Finally, the hills
                                                      the soils of the proposed Lamorinda                     Hayward Fault lies to the west of the                  of the proposed AVA allow for good
                                                      AVA are classified as mollisols and                     proposed AVA and passes through the                    airflow in vineyards and provide a
                                                      vertisols. Mollisols are soils that are                 cities of Oakland and Berkeley. The                    variety of slope aspects that are suitable
                                                      high in organic material and calcium                    Calaveras Fault runs east of the                       for growing a wide variety of grapes.
                                                      and are common in areas where grass is                  proposed AVA and through the city of
                                                      the predominant native vegetation.                      Walnut Creek. The two faults angle                     Climate
                                                      Vertisols, the predominant soils in the                 toward each other and merge south of
                                                      proposed AVA, have high levels of clay                  the proposed AVA. Millions of years                       Ridgelines shelter the proposed
                                                      and are known to shrink and form deep                   ago, seismic activity in the Hayward                   Lamorinda AVA from much of the
                                                      cracks during dry periods. The high clay                Fault led to the uplifting of the Berkeley             diurnal fog and cool marine air moving
                                                      content in the soils of the proposed                    Hills and the formation of a restricted                inland from San Francisco Bay, San
                                                      AVA is attributable to the weathering of                marine basin in the region of the                      Pablo Bay, and Suisun Bay. While some
                                                      the clay-rich Orinda Formation that                     proposed AVA. A restricted marine                      marine air enters the proposed AVA
                                                      underlies the region.                                   basin is a body of saltwater or brackish               through narrow creek valleys and wind
                                                         The most prevalent soil series within                water that has more water flowing into                 gaps, the region is less exposed to the
                                                      the proposed AVA are Los Osos clay                      the basin than out of it, due to the                   cool air as the regions along the bays.
                                                      loam, Lodo clay loam, Alo clay, Sehorn                  surrounding topography. Fine materials                 Additionally, the small amount of
                                                      clay, and Altamont-Fontana Complex.                     weathering from the Berkeley Hills, to                 daytime fog that enters the proposed
                                                      Clay-rich soils such as these typically                 the west, and the foothills of Mount                   AVA is thin and burns off quickly,
                                                      have high water-holding capacities,                     Diablo, to the southeast, settled in this              unlike the heavier, longer-lasting fog of
                                                      which can reduce the sugar content of                   basin and led to the creation of the                   the coastal areas. As a result, the
                                                      the grapes and increase the risk of                     Orinda Formation. Eventually, the basin                proposed AVA receives more sunlight
                                                      diseases and rot in vineyards. However,                 was completely restricted and became a                 and has generally warmer temperatures
                                                      the soils of the proposed Lamorinda                     shallow lake. The deposition of                        than the surrounding regions, except for
                                                      AVA have lower than expected water-                     weathered material into this shallow                   the regions farther inland, which receive
                                                      holding capacities because the thinness                 lake created the Mulholland Formation.                 very little, if any, marine air and fog.
                                                      of the soils, the steepness of the terrain,             Over time, seismic activity along the                  The proposed AVA does receive some
                                                      and the presence of sand in the soils all               Hayward Fault and the Calaveras Fault                  nocturnal fog, although the petition
                                                      allow for the rapid runoff of excess                    uplifted the bottom of the shallow lake,               states that nocturnal fog has a different
                                                      water. The thinness of the soils also has               draining the lake and forming the hilly                effect on temperatures than diurnal fog.
                                                      the added effect of preventing the vines                terrain that is characteristic of the                  Diurnal fog usually lowers daytime
                                                      from growing too vigorously.                            proposed Lamorinda AVA.                                temperatures by blocking the sunlight.
                                                         The soils of the proposed Lamorinda                     To the east of the proposed                         By contrast, nocturnal fog has a modest
                                                      AVA are distinctive from the soils in the               Lamorinda AVA, the dominant                            warming effect on nighttime
                                                      surrounding regions. The soils to the                   geological formation is the Tassajara–                 temperatures. When the heat that has
                                                      west, south, and southeast of the                       Green Valley Formation, which consists                 been absorbed by soil during the day is
                                                      proposed AVA are formed from a                          of mudstone, sandstone, and small                      released back into the air at night,
                                                      combination of sedimentary and                          amounts of volcanic material. To the                   nocturnal fog acts as a blanket, trapping
                                                      volcanic materials. To the north of the                 south of the proposed AVA, the Orinda,                 the heat closer to the ground and
                                                      proposed Lamorinda AVA, the soils                       Briones, and Mulholland Formations                     preventing it from dissipating.
                                                      along the Suisun Bay are fine-grained                   continue to dominate, eventually giving
                                                      bay mud, which is unsuitable for                        way to the Forearc Assemblage. To the                     The petition included annual growing
                                                      viticulture due to its high water-holding               west, the dominant geologic formations                 degree day (GDD) 1 data from eight
                                                      capacity. To the east in the Ygnacio                    are the Forearc Assemblage, the                        weather stations within and around the
                                                      Valley, the soils are deeper, coarser                   Franciscan Formation, and the Great                    proposed Lamorinda AVA. The data
                                                      alluvial deposits.                                      Valley Ophiolite, along with the Moraga                from all eight stations is contained in
                                                                                                              Formation and Siesta Formation. To the                 Exhibit C of the petition. Of the four
                                                      Geology                                                 north, the Briones and Monterey                        stations that had complete data from
                                                        The dominant geological formation of                  Formations dominate and eventually                     2007 to 2011, the data showed that the
                                                      the proposed AVA is the Orinda                          give way to Forearc Assemblage.                        proposed AVA had the highest GDD
                                                      Formation. Other major geological                          The geology of the proposed                         accumulations over that period, which
                                                      formations within the proposed AVA                      Lamorinda AVA affects viticulture                      substantiates the petition’s claim that
                                                      include the Briones Formation and the                   indirectly through its role in forming the             the proposed AVA is sheltered from
                                                      Mulholland Formation. All three of                      terrain and soils of the region. Erosion               cooling marine air and diurnal fog more
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      these underlying geological formations                  of the Orinda Formation led to the                     so than surrounding areas. The
                                                      contain large amounts of sedimentary                    formation of the proposed AVA’s clay-                  following table from the petition
                                                      rocks, including sandstone. Other                       rich soils with high water-holding                     summarizes the GDD data from the four
                                                      sedimentary rocks present within these                  capacities. The uplifting of the floor of              stations that had complete data from
                                                      formations include shale, which is                      the ancient lake created the steep, hilly              2007 to 2011.

                                                        1 In the Winkler climate classification system,       regions. One GDD accumulates for each degree           grapevine growth. See Albert J. Winkler, General
                                                      annual heat accumulation during the growing             Fahrenheit that a day’s mean temperature is above      Viticulture (Berkeley: University of California Press,
                                                      season, measured in annual GDDs, defines climatic       50 degrees, the minimum temperature required for       1974), pages 61–64.



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                                                      19898                            Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                                                                                     ANNUAL GROWING DEGREE DATA FROM 2007–2011
                                                                                                                                                     Lafayette           Oakland Foothills 3         Concord 4         Pleasanton 5
                                                                                                                                                    Reservoir 2
                                                                                            Year                                                                        (South-southwest of        (Northwest of      (Southeast of
                                                                                                                                                 (within proposed         proposed AVA)           proposed AVA)      proposed AVA)
                                                                                                                                                       AVA)

                                                      2007   .................................................................................                  2,928                 2,187                  3,024              2,863
                                                      2008   .................................................................................                  3,325                 2,479                  3,209              3,068
                                                      2009   .................................................................................                  3,215                 2,367                  3,068              3,090
                                                      2010   .................................................................................                  2,816                 2,103                  2,664              2,599
                                                      2011   .................................................................................                  2,995                 2,173                  2,778              2,842



                                                         The datafrom the remaining four                                          with the steeper, more rugged terrain to                more coastal portions of the San
                                                      weather stations 6 outside the proposed                                     the south and west and the lower, flatter               Francisco Bay AVA seldom occurs.
                                                      AVA was incomplete for the years                                            plains to the north and east. The soils
                                                                                                                                                                                          Central Coast AVA
                                                      between 2007 and 2011. However, the                                         of the proposed AVA are high in clay,
                                                      data that was provided also shows that                                      whereas volcanic materials are present                     The large, 1 million-acre Central Coast
                                                      the proposed AVA had higher GDD                                             in the soils to the south and west and                  AVA was established by T.D. ATF–216,
                                                      accumulations than three of those                                           alluvial deposits are prominent to the                  which was published in the Federal
                                                      stations. The fourth station, located in                                    north and east. The dominant geological                 Register on October 24, 1985 (50 FR
                                                      Brentwood, California, which is to the                                      formation of the proposed Lamorinda                     43128). The Central Coast viticultural
                                                      east of the proposed AVA, had higher                                        AVA is the Orinda Formation, whereas                    area encompasses the California
                                                      GDD accumulations than the proposed                                         the Tassajara–Green Valley Formation is                 counties of Alameda, Contra Costa,
                                                      AVA. This further substantiates the                                         prominent to the east and the Forearc                   Monterey, San Benito, San Francisco,
                                                      petition’s claim that areas outside of the                                  Assemblage dominates the regions to                     San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa
                                                      proposed AVA, such as Brentwood and                                         the north, west, and south. Finally, the                Barbara, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz,
                                                      other areas located much farther inland,                                    surrounding regions are more exposed                    and it contains 28 established AVAs.
                                                      differ in that they receive less marine air                                 to marine air and fog and have lower                    T.D. ATF–216 describes the Central
                                                      and fog than the proposed AVA.                                              GDD accumulations than the proposed                     Coast viticultural area as extending from
                                                         The warm temperatures, high GDD                                          AVA.                                                    Santa Barbara to the San Francisco Bay
                                                      accumulations, and lack of diurnal fog
                                                                                                                                  Comparison of the Proposed Lamorinda                    area, and east to the California Coastal
                                                      in the proposed Lamorinda AVA have
                                                                                                                                  Viticultural Area to the Existing San                   Ranges. The only distinguishing feature
                                                      an effect on viticulture. Slower-
                                                                                                                                  Francisco Bay and Central Coast AVAs                    of the California Coast AVA addressed
                                                      maturing varieties of grapes have ample
                                                                                                                                                                                          in T.D. ATF–216 is that all of the
                                                      time to ripen because the warm                                              San Francisco Bay AVA                                   included counties experience marine
                                                      temperatures and plentiful sunlight
                                                                                                                                                                                          climate influence due to their proximity
                                                      allow for long days of photosynthesis.                                         The San Francisco Bay AVA was                        to the Pacific Ocean.
                                                      By contrast, slower-maturing varieties of                                   established by T.D. ATF–407, which
                                                      grapes are less likely to ripen                                             was published in the Federal Register                      The proposed Lamorinda AVA is
                                                      successfully in the cooler, foggier                                         on January 20, 1999 (64 FR 3024).                       located within the Central Coast AVA
                                                      regions to the north, south, and west of                                    According to T.D. ATF–407, the San                      and, like the larger AVA, experiences
                                                      the proposed AVA because lower                                              Francisco Bay AVA is distinguished by                   mild marine breezes and nocturnal
                                                      temperatures and lower levels of                                            a climate that is heavily influenced by                 marine fog. However, due to its much
                                                      sunlight interrupt photosynthesis.                                          marine air and fog from San Francisco                   smaller size, the proposed AVA has
                                                                                                                                  Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The presence                 greater uniformity in geographical
                                                      Summary of Distinguishing Features                                                                                                  features such as topography,
                                                                                                                                  of stream valleys and wind gaps in the
                                                         In summary, the evidence provided in                                     region allows limited amounts of marine                 temperature, and soils, than the larger,
                                                      the petition indicates that the                                             air and fog to travel beyond the coastal                multicounty Central Coast AVA.
                                                      geographic features of the proposed
                                                                                                                                  mountains and into the interior regions                 TTB Determination
                                                      Lamorinda AVA are distinguishable
                                                                                                                                  of the AVA. However, as one travels
                                                      from those of the surrounding regions.                                                                                                TTB concludes that the petition to
                                                                                                                                  easterly from the coastline, the climate
                                                      The terrain of the proposed AVA is                                                                                                  establish the approximately 29,369-acre
                                                                                                                                  generally becomes drier and warmer as
                                                      moderate-to-steep hills, which contrasts                                                                                            Lamorinda AVA merits consideration
                                                                                                                                  the marine influence diminishes.
                                                         2 Data from the East Bay Municipal Utility District                         The proposed Lamorinda AVA is                        and public comment, as invited in this
                                                      (EBMUD) station located at the reservoir.                                   located in the eastern portion of the San               notice of proposed rulemaking.
                                                         3 Data from the California Irrigation Management
                                                                                                                                  Francisco Bay AVA and shares some                       Boundary Description
                                                      Information System (CIMIS) station #147 (‘‘Oakland
                                                      Foothills’’) on the campus of Mills College in                              broad characteristics of the larger San
                                                                                                                                  Francisco Bay AVA. While the proposed                     See the narrative description of the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      Oakland, CA.
                                                         4 Data from the CIMIS station #170 (‘‘Concord’’)                         Lamorinda AVA receives some marine                      boundary of the petitioned-for
                                                      on the Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord, CA.                             air that enters the region through stream               viticultural area in the proposed
                                                         5 Data from the CIMIS station #191 (‘‘Pleasanton’’)
                                                                                                                                  valleys and wind gaps, much of the                      regulatory text published at the end of
                                                      located in Alameda County, CA.
                                                         6 EBMUD station at San Pablo Reservoir (north-                           cooling air is blocked by the higher                    this proposed rule.
                                                      northwest of proposed AVA), EBMUD station at                                elevations that surround the proposed                   Maps
                                                      Briones Reservoir (north of proposed AVA),                                  AVA to the north, west, and south. The
                                                      EBMUD station at Upper San Leandro Reservoir                                proposed AVA also experiences some                        The petitioner provided the required
                                                      (south of proposed AVA), and CMIS station #47
                                                      (‘‘Brentwood’’) in Brentwood (east of proposed                              light nocturnal marine fog, but the                     maps, and they are listed below in the
                                                      AVA).                                                                       heavy diurnal fog that characterizes the                proposed regulatory text.


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                                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                          19899

                                                      Impact on Current Wine Labels                           should establish the proposed AVA.                     Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade
                                                         Part 4 of the TTB regulations prohibits              TTB is also interested in receiving                    Bureau, 1310 G Street NW., Box 12,
                                                      any label reference on a wine that                      comments on the sufficiency and                        Washington, DC 20005.
                                                      indicates or implies an origin other than               accuracy of the name, boundary, soils,                    • Hand Delivery/Courier: You may
                                                      the wine’s true place of origin. For a                  climate, and other required information                hand-carry your comments or have them
                                                      wine to be labeled with an AVA name                     submitted in support of the petition. In               hand-carried to the Alcohol and
                                                      or with a brand name that includes an                   addition, given the proposed Lamorinda                 Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G
                                                      AVA name, at least 85 percent of the                    AVA’s location within the existing San                 Street NW., Suite 200–E, Washington,
                                                      wine must be derived from grapes                        Francisco Bay and Central Coast AVAs,                  DC 20005.
                                                      grown within the area represented by                    TTB is interested in comments on                          Please submit your comments by the
                                                      that name, and the wine must meet the                   whether the evidence submitted in the                  closing date shown above in this notice.
                                                      other conditions listed in § 4.25(e)(3) of              petition regarding the distinguishing                  Your comments must reference Notice
                                                      the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(3)).                features of the proposed AVA                           No. 151 and include your name and
                                                      If the wine is not eligible for labeling                sufficiently differentiates it from the                mailing address. Your comments also
                                                      with an AVA name and that name                          existing San Francisco Bay and Central                 must be made in English, be legible, and
                                                      appears in the brand name, then the                     Coast AVAs. TTB also is interested in                  be written in language acceptable for
                                                      label is not in compliance and the                      comments whether the geographic                        public disclosure. TTB does not
                                                      bottler must change the brand name and                  features of the proposed AVA are so                    acknowledge receipt of comments, and
                                                      obtain approval of a new label.                         distinguishable from the surrounding                   TTB considers all comments as
                                                      Similarly, if the AVA name appears in                   San Francisco Bay and Central Coast                    originals.
                                                      another reference on the label in a                     AVAs that the proposed Lamorinda                          In your comment, please clearly state
                                                      misleading manner, the bottler would                    AVA should no longer be part of those                  if you are commenting for yourself or on
                                                      have to obtain approval of a new label.                 AVAs. Please provide any available                     behalf of an association, business, or
                                                      Different rules apply if a wine has a                   specific information in support of your                other entity. If you are commenting on
                                                      brand name containing an AVA name or                    comments.                                              behalf of an entity, your comment must
                                                      other viticulturally significant term that                 Because of the potential impact of the              include the entity’s name, as well as
                                                      was used as a brand name on a label                     establishment of the proposed                          your name and position title. If you
                                                      approved before July 7, 1986. See                       Lamorinda AVA on wine labels that                      comment via Regulations.gov, please
                                                      § 4.39(i)(2) of the TTB regulations (27                 include the term ‘‘Lamorinda’’ as                      enter the entity’s name in the
                                                      CFR 4.39(i)(2)) for details.                            discussed above under Impact on                        ‘‘Organization’’ blank of the online
                                                         If TTB establishes this proposed AVA,                Current Wine Labels, TTB is                            comment form. If you comment via
                                                      its name, ‘‘Lamorinda,’’ will be                        particularly interested in comments                    postal mail or hand delivery/courier,
                                                      recognized as a name of viticultural                    regarding whether there will be a                      please submit your entity’s comment on
                                                      significance under § 4.39(i)(3) of the                  conflict between the proposed AVA                      letterhead.
                                                      TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.39(i)(3)). The                name and currently used brand names.                      You may also write to the
                                                      text of the proposed regulation clarifies               If a commenter believes that a conflict                Administrator before the comment
                                                      this point. Consequently, wine bottlers                 will arise, the comment should describe                closing date to ask for a public hearing.
                                                      using the name ‘‘Lamorinda’’ in a brand                 the nature of that conflict, including any             The Administrator reserves the right to
                                                      name, including a trademark, or in                      anticipated negative economic impact                   determine whether to hold a public
                                                      another label reference as to the origin                that approval of the proposed AVA will                 hearing.
                                                      of the wine, would have to ensure that                  have on an existing viticultural
                                                                                                              enterprise. TTB also is interested in                  Confidentiality
                                                      the product is eligible to use the AVA
                                                                                                              receiving suggestions for ways to avoid                   All submitted comments and
                                                      as an appellation of origin if this
                                                                                                              conflicts, for example, by adopting a                  attachments are part of the public record
                                                      proposed rule is adopted as a final rule.
                                                                                                              modified or different name for the AVA.                and subject to disclosure. Do not
                                                         The approval of the proposed
                                                                                                                                                                     enclose any material in your comments
                                                      Lamorinda AVA would not affect any                      Submitting Comments                                    that you consider to be confidential or
                                                      existing viticultural area, and any                       You may submit comments on this                      inappropriate for public disclosure.
                                                      bottlers using ‘‘San Francisco Bay’’ or                 notice by using one of the following
                                                      ‘‘Central Coast’’ as an appellation of                  three methods:                                         Public Disclosure
                                                      origin or in a brand name for wines                       • Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: You                      TTB will post, and you may view,
                                                      made from grapes grown within the San                   may send comments via the online                       copies of this notice, selected
                                                      Francisco Bay or Central Coast AVAs                     comment form posted with this notice                   supporting materials, and any online or
                                                      would not be affected by the                            within Docket No. TTB–2015–0007 on                     mailed comments received about this
                                                      establishment of this new AVA. The                      Regulations.gov, the Federal e-                        proposal within Docket No. TTB–2015–
                                                      establishment of the proposed                           rulemaking portal, at http://                          0007 on the Federal e-rulemaking
                                                      Lamorinda AVA would allow vintners                      www.regulations.gov. A direct link to                  portal, Regulations.gov, at http://
                                                      to use ‘‘Lamorinda,’’ ‘‘San Francisco                   that docket is available under Notice                  www.regulations.gov. A direct link to
                                                      Bay,’’ and ‘‘Central Coast’’ as                         No. 151 on the TTB Web site at                         that docket is available on the TTB Web
                                                      appellations of origin for wines made                   http://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine-                          site at http://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine_
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      from grapes grown within the proposed                   rulemaking.shtml. Supplemental files                   rulemaking.shtml under Notice No. 151.
                                                      Lamorinda AVA, if the wines meet the                    may be attached to comments submitted                  You may also reach the relevant docket
                                                      eligibility requirements for the                        via Regulations.gov. For complete                      through the Regulations.gov search page
                                                      appellation.                                            instructions on how to use                             at http://www.regulations.gov. For
                                                      Public Participation                                    Regulations.gov, visit the site and click              information on how to use
                                                                                                              on the ‘‘Help’’ tab.                                   Regulations.gov, click on the site’s
                                                      Comments Invited                                          • U.S. Mail: You may send comments                   ‘‘Help’’ tab.
                                                        TTB invites comments from interested                  via postal mail to the Director,                          All posted comments will display the
                                                      members of the public on whether it                     Regulations and Rulings Division,                      commenter’s name, organization (if


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                                                      19900                    Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 71 / Tuesday, April 14, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                      any), city, and State, and, in the case of              Subpart C—Approved American                                (9) Proceed west-southwest in a
                                                      mailed comments, all address                            Viticultural Areas                                      straight line approximately 2.7 miles to
                                                      information, including email addresses.                                                                         the marked 1,057-foot peak in section
                                                      TTB may omit voluminous attachments                     ■ 2. Subpart C is amended by adding                     29, T1S/R2W; then
                                                      or material that the Bureau considers                   § 9.___to read as follows:
                                                                                                                                                                         (10) Proceed west-southwest in a
                                                      unsuitable for posting.                                 § 9.    Lamorinda.                                      straight line approximately 2 miles to
                                                         You also may view copies of this                        (a) Name. The name of the viticultural               the intersection of the 1,000-foot
                                                      notice, all related petitions, maps and                 area described in this section is                       elevation line with the Contra Costa–
                                                      other supporting materials, and any                     ‘‘Lamorinda’’. For purposes of part 4 of                Alameda County line in section 31,
                                                      electronic or mailed comments that TTB                  this chapter, ‘‘Lamorinda’’ is a term of                T1S/R2W; then
                                                      receives about this proposal by                         viticultural significance.                                 (11) Proceed northwest in a straight
                                                      appointment at the TTB Information                         (b) Approved maps. The four United                   line approximately 0.4 mile, crossing
                                                      Resource Center, 1310 G Street NW.,                     States Geological Survey (USGS)                         onto the Oakland East map, then
                                                      Washington, DC 20005. You may also                      1:24,000 scale topographic maps used to                 continuing another 0.1 mile to the
                                                      obtain copies at 20 cents per 8.5- x 11-                determine the boundary of the                           1,121-foot peak in section 30, T1S/R2W;
                                                      inch page. Please note that TTB is                      Lamorinda viticultural area are titled:                 then
                                                      unable to provide copies of USGS maps                      (1) Walnut Creek, CA, 1995;                             (12) Proceed northwest in a straight
                                                      or other similarly-sized documents that                    (2) Las Trampas Ridge, CA, 1995;                     line approximately 3.6 miles to the
                                                      may be included as part of the AVA                         (3) Oakland East, CA, 1997; and                      1,301-foot peak in section 15, T1S/R3W;
                                                      petition. Contact TTB’s information                        (4) Briones Valley, CA, 1995.                        then
                                                      specialist at the above address or by                      (c) Boundary. The Lamorinda                             (13) Proceed northwest in a straight
                                                      telephone at 202–453–2270 to schedule                   viticultural area is located in Contra                  line approximately 1.6 miles to the
                                                      an appointment or to request copies of                  Costa County, California. The boundary                  1,634-foot peak in section 9, T1S/R3W;
                                                      comments or other materials.                            of the Lamorinda viticultural area is as                then
                                                      Regulatory Flexibility Act                              described below:                                           (14) Proceed northwest in a straight
                                                                                                                 (1) The beginning point is on Walnut                 line approximately 2.2 miles to the
                                                         TTB certifies that this proposed                     Creek map at the water tank (known
                                                      regulation, if adopted, would not have                                                                          communication tower on the Contra
                                                                                                              locally as the Withers Reservoir) at the                Costa–Alameda County line in section
                                                      a significant economic impact on a                      end of an unnamed light-duty road
                                                      substantial number of small entities.                                                                           5, T1S/R3W; then
                                                                                                              known locally as Kim Road, in the
                                                      The proposed regulation imposes no                                                                                 (15) Proceed north in a straight line
                                                                                                              Cañada del Hambre Y Las Bolsas Land
                                                      new reporting, recordkeeping, or other                                                                          approximately 0.1 mile, crossing onto
                                                                                                              Grant.
                                                      administrative requirement. Any benefit                                                                         the Briones Valley map, then continuing
                                                                                                                 (2) From the beginning point, proceed
                                                      derived from the use of a viticultural                                                                          another 0.6 mile to the 1,905-foot
                                                                                                              south-southeast in a straight line
                                                      area name would be the result of a                                                                              summit of Vollmer Peak in the El
                                                                                                              approximately 0.8 mile to the 833-foot
                                                      proprietor’s efforts and consumer                                                                               Sobrante Land Grant; then
                                                                                                              peak marked ‘‘Hump 2;’’ then
                                                      acceptance of wines from that area.                        (3) Proceed southeast in a straight line                (16) Proceed north-northeast in a
                                                      Therefore, no regulatory flexibility                    approximately 1.7 miles to the marked                   straight line approximately 3 miles,
                                                      analysis is required.                                   781-foot peak south of the shared                       crossing over to the 1,027-foot peak in
                                                                                                              Lafayette–Walnut Creek corporate                        the Boca de la Cañada del Pinole Land
                                                      Executive Order 12866                                                                                           Grant, to the Orinda corporate boundary
                                                                                                              boundary line and north of an unnamed
                                                        It has been determined that this                      light-duty road known locally as                        line; then
                                                      proposed rule is not a significant                      Peaceful Lane; then                                        (17) Proceed generally east along the
                                                      regulatory action as defined by                            (4) Proceed southeast in a straight line             Orinda corporate boundary line
                                                      Executive Order 12866 of September 30,                  approximately 0.3 mile to the marked                    approximately 3.3 miles to the water
                                                      1993. Therefore, no regulatory                          610-foot peak southwest of an unnamed                   tank at the 1,142-foot elevation in the
                                                      assessment is required.                                 light-duty road known locally as                        Boca de la Cañada del Pinole Land
                                                                                                              Secluded Place; then                                    Grant; then
                                                      Drafting Information
                                                                                                                 (5) Proceed south-southwest in a                        (18) Proceed east-northeast in a
                                                        Karen A. Thornton of the Regulations                  straight line approximately 1.7 miles to                straight line approximately 1.2 miles to
                                                      and Rulings Division drafted this notice                an unidentified benchmark at the end of                 the 1,357-foot benchmark marked
                                                      of proposed rulemaking.                                 an unnamed unimproved road known                        ‘‘Russell’’ in the Boca de la Cañada del
                                                      List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9                       locally as Diablo Oaks Way in section                   Pinole Land Grant; then
                                                                                                              33, T1N/R2W; then                                          (19) Proceed northwest in a straight
                                                          Wine.                                                  (6) Proceed southeast in a straight line             line approximately 0.8 mile to the
                                                                                                              approximately 0.5 mile, crossing onto                   1,405-foot peak in the Boca de la Cañada
                                                      Proposed Regulatory Amendment
                                                                                                              the Las Trampas map, and continuing                     del Pinole Land Grant; then
                                                        For the reasons discussed in the                      another 0.9 mile to the substation at the                  (20) Proceed east-northeast in a
                                                      preamble, TTB proposes to amend title                   southeast corner of section 4, T1S/R2W;
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                      straight line approximately 0.5 mile,
                                                      27, chapter I, part 9, Code of Federal                  then                                                    crossing onto the Walnut Creek map,
                                                      Regulations, as follows:                                   (7) Proceed southeast in a straight line             then continuing another 1.1 miles to the
                                                                                                              approximately 2.3 miles to the 1,827-                   beginning point.
                                                      PART 9—AMERICAN VITICULTURAL                            foot summit of Las Trampas Peak,
                                                      AREAS                                                                                                             Signed: April 7, 2015.
                                                                                                              section 22, T1S/R2W; then
                                                                                                                 (8) Proceed south-southeast in a                     John J. Manfreda,
                                                      ■ 1. The authority citation for part 9                  straight line approximately 2.1 miles to                Administrator.
                                                      continues to read as follows:                           the 2,024-foot benchmark marked ‘‘Rock                  [FR Doc. 2015–08495 Filed 4–13–15; 8:45 am]
                                                          Authority: 27 U.S.C. 205.                           2’’ in section 26, T1S/R2W; then                        BILLING CODE 4810–31–P




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Document Created: 2015-12-18 11:10:30
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 11:10:30
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking.
DatesComments must be received by June 15, 2015.
ContactKaren A. Thornton, Regulations and Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G St. NW., Box 12, Washington, DC 20005; phone 202-453-1039, ext. 175.
FR Citation80 FR 19895 
RIN Number1513-AC17

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