2016-10291: Proposed Establishment of the Appalachian High Country Viticultural Area
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The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the approximately 2,400-square mile "Appalachian High Country" viticultural area in all or portions of the following counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, and Watauga Counties in North Carolina; Carter and Johnson Counties in Tennessee; and Grayson County in Virginia. The proposed viticultural area does not lie within, nor does it contain, any other established viticultural area. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. TTB invites comments on this proposed addition to its regulations.
The agency’s own summary, as published.
What this changes
Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.
Rulemaking docket
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Supporting & Related Material May 03, 2016Exhibit Maps -- Proposed Appalachian High Country Viticultural Area
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Proposed Rule May 03, 2016Notice No. 158: Proposed Establishment of the Appalachian High Country Viticultural Area
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Supporting & Related Material May 03, 2016Petition to Establish the Appalachian High Country Viticultural Area
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Supporting & Related Material May 03, 2016Petition Addendum -- Climate within the Proposed Appalachian High Country AVA
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Supporting & Related Material May 03, 2016Petition Addendum -- Planned Vineyards within the Proposed Appalachian High Country AVA
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Rule October 27, 2016T.D. TTB-144: Establishment of the Appalachian High Country Viticultural Area
Public comments
What people are saying
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David Roe 2016-07-12
“See Attached”
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Susan Pohl 2016-07-06
“I support the designation of our area as an AVA. It can only promote Johnson County and Carter County in a more positive light - especially in respect to ecotourism. Watauga Lake Winery has been instrumental on putting the Watauga Lake area on the map. It elevates the cultural and social elements of this rural area. It is vital to the local economy to attract tourism and being part of an AVA, I believe, will contribute to just that.”
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Dr. Vickie Wolfe 2016-07-06
“See attached file(s)”
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Carter County Tourism Association 2016-07-05
“Regulations and Rulings Division Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau 1310 G Street NW Box 12 Washington, DC 20005 Dear Director: From organizations, wineries and vineyards to municipalities and even state representatives, the partnership between all the people working to form the Appalachian High Country American Viticulture Area (AVA) truly inspires the Carter County Tourism Association. We fully support any effort to possibly bring more people and jobs into our county through tourism. This designation has the potential to attract new visitors, increase business and agriculture opport...”
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Sam LaPorte 2016-07-05
“As a former Mayor of the City of Elizabethton, a practicing attorney, and interested taxpayer and citizen I wish to add my support to the Establishment of the Appalachian High Country Viticultural Area. Although I do not consider myself an expert on the wine making industry However, I have had considerable experience visiting the wineries in the Western United States and also in Italy and Sicily. My grandfather immigrated from the wine country of Sicily and early on we were taught the appreciation of fine wines. This area with it's pristine rivers and lakes and good climate is beginning to ...”
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