[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77677-77684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32018]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
27 CFR Part 9
[Docket No. TTB-2011-0006; T.D. TTB-100; Ref: Notice No. 119]
RIN 1513-AB81
Establishment of the Coombsville Viticultural Area
AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury.
ACTION: Final rule; Treasury Decision.
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SUMMARY: This final rule establishes the 11,075-acre ``Coombsville''
viticultural area in Napa County, California. The viticultural area
lies within the Napa Valley viticultural area and the multicounty North
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.
DATES: Effective Date: January 13, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen A. Thornton, Regulations and
Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G St.
NW., Room 200E, Washington, DC 20220; 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
[[Page 77678]]
and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) administers the regulations
promulgated under the FAA Act.
Part 4 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 4) allows the
establishment of definitive viticultural areas and 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 and lists
the approved American viticultural areas.
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 its
geographic origin. The establishment of viticultural areas allows
vintners to describe more accurately the origin of their wines to
consumers and helps consumers to identify wines they may purchase.
Establishment of a viticultural area 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 outlines the procedure
for proposing an American viticultural area and provides that any
interested party may petition TTB to establish a grape-growing region
as a viticultural area. Section 9.12 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR
9.12) prescribes standards for petitions for the establishment or
modification of viticultural areas. Such petitions must include the
following:
Evidence that the area within the proposed viticultural
area boundary is nationally or locally known by the viticultural area
name specified in the petition;
An explanation of the basis for defining the boundary of
the proposed viticultural area;
A narrative description of the features of the proposed
viticultural area that affect viticulture, such as climate, geology,
soils, physical features, and elevation, that make it distinctive and
distinguish it from adjacent areas outside the proposed viticultural
area boundary;
A copy of the appropriate United States Geological Survey
(USGS) map(s) showing the location of the proposed viticultural area,
with the boundary of the proposed viticultural area clearly drawn
thereon; and
A detailed narrative description of the proposed
viticultural area boundary based on USGS map markings.
Petition for the Coombsville Viticultural Area
TTB received a petition from Thomas Farella of Farella-Park
Vineyards and Bradford Kitson, on behalf of the vintners and grape
growers in the Coombsville region of Napa Valley, California, proposing
the establishment of the Coombsville viticultural area. The proposed
viticultural area contains 11,075 acres, 1,360 acres of which are in 26
commercial vineyards, according to the petition. The proposed
viticultural area lies within the Napa Valley viticultural area (27 CFR
9.23) and the larger, multicounty North Coast viticultural area (27 CFR
9.30). The distinguishing features of the proposed Coombsville
viticultural area include geology, geography, climate, and soils.
TTB notes that the proposed Coombsville viticultural area adjoins
or is located near four established viticultural areas: the Oak Knoll
District of Napa Valley viticultural area (27 CFR 9.161), the Los
Carneros viticultural area (27 CFR 9.32), the Wild Horse Valley
viticultural area (27 CFR 9.124), and the Solano County Green Valley
viticultural area (27 CFR 9.44). The Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley
viticultural area to the northwest and the Los Carneros viticultural
area to the southwest share portions of their boundary lines with those
of the proposed viticultural area. The Wild Horse Valley viticultural
area to the east and the Solano County Green Valley viticultural area
to the southeast are close to, but do not touch, the eastern boundary
line of the proposed Coombsville viticultural area.
The petition states that four bonded wineries use the
``Coombsville'' name on one or more of their wine labels: Bighorn
Cellars, Laird Family Estate, Farella-Park Vineyards, and Monticello
Cellars. All four wineries have advised TTB in writing that if the
Coombsville viticultural area is established, they will be able to
comply with the rule that at least 85 percent of the wine must be
produced from grapes grown within the boundary of the Coombsville
viticultural area in order to use the ``Coombsville'' name on the label
as an appellation of origin.
Previous Proposed Rulemaking
Previously, a group of Napa Valley grape growers proposed the
establishment of the 11,200-acre ``Tulocay'' American viticultural area
in approximately the same area as the proposed Coombsville viticultural
area. Consequently, TTB published Notice No. 68 in the Federal Register
(71 FR 65432) on November 8, 2006, to propose the establishment of the
Tulocay viticultural area. However, comments received in response to
Notice No. 68 raised a substantial question as to whether there was a
sufficient basis to conclude that the geographical area described in
the petition was locally or nationally known as ``Tulocay.''
Additionally, the evidence provided by the commenters and other
information available suggested the likelihood of confusion if the term
``Tulocay'' would suddenly be attributed only to grapes grown from a
geographical area, as the term ``Tulocay'' has been identified with a
particular winery for more than 30 years. Based on the comments
received in response to Notice No. 68, TTB published Notice No. 84 in
the Federal Register (73 FR 34902) on June 19, 2008, withdrawing Notice
No. 68.
However, TTB did not preclude consideration of the current petition
in Notice No. 84. In fact, TTB stated: ``* * * currently there is no
petition requesting the establishment of a viticultural area in the
subject area using a variation of Tulocay, such as Tulocay District, or
any other name, such as Coombsville or Coombsville District. It is
noted that these findings do not preclude future consideration of a
petition, supported by sufficient name evidence, proposing the
establishment of a viticultural area in the subject area using a name
other than `Tulocay.' '' Notice No. 84 further noted that some comments
in response to Notice No. 68 expressed a preference for the name
``Coombsville'' for the proposed viticultural area rather than the
petitioned-for ``Tulocay'' name.
TTB further notes that the eastern portion of the boundary line for
the proposed Coombsville viticultural area differs from that of the
proposed Tulocay viticultural area boundary line in order to keep the
proposed Coombsville viticultural area within Napa County and the Napa
Valley viticultural area. This boundary change results in a 125-acre
reduction of the total area, from 11,200 acres for the previously
proposed Tulocay viticultural area to 11,075 acres for the currently
proposed Coombsville viticultural area.
[[Page 77679]]
Name Evidence for the Proposed Coombsville Viticultural Area
The petition states that ``Coombsville'' is the commonly used name
for an area that lies east of the City of Napa, California. In
addition, the area east of the City of Napa is designated as
``Coombsville'' on the Napa County Land Use Plan 2008-2030 map. The
petition also states that the Coombsville region has always had a
separate identity from the City of Napa. Early on, the City of Napa
grew in increments, eventually ``swallowing up the easterly suburb of
Coombsville'' (``Napa Valley Heyday,'' Richard H. Dillon, The Book Club
of California, 2004, page 119).
The petition states that, as early as 1914, an unincorporated area
of Napa County became commonly known as the ``Coombsville'' region,
named for Nathan Coombs, a prominent community leader and founder of
the City of Napa. Mr. Coombs owned 2,525 acres of land on 3 parcels to
the east of the Napa River, in the area now called ``Coombsville''
(``Official Map of the County of Napa,'' California, 1876). According
to the petition, the original Coombsville Road, little more than an
unnamed path, existed more than 120 years ago (``Map of Coombsville,''
survey map, W. A. Pierce, ``County Road from Napa to Green Valley,''
1883). Currently, Napa city and county road signs identify Coombsville
Road where the road intersects with Third Street and the Silverado
Trail. Coombsville Road is entirely within the boundary line of the
proposed Coombsville viticultural area (``Napa Valley,'' map,
California State Automobile Association, May 2004).
The petition cited several Napa County newspaper reports to
demonstrate that the Coombsville name is commonly used to refer to the
region within the proposed viticultural area. For example, a newspaper
report stated: ``A week ago, Patrick Sexton's backyard in Coombsville
was a riotous place, with a gobble-gobble here, a gobble-gobble there,
a gobble-gobble everywhere'' (``Napa High senior raises great
gobblers,'' The Napa Valley Register, Nov. 27, 2008). Another report
describes a downed power line that cut off electricity to 2,200
Coombsville residential customers overnight (``Lights out again in
Coombsville area,'' op. cit., Sept. 3, 2008). A third report describes
a political district including Coombsville, American Canyon, and part
of [the City of] Napa (``Local ballot for June takes shape,'' op. cit.,
March 12, 2008).
The petition also states that the Napa County real estate industry
recognizes the Coombsville region in its sale listings. One realtor
listing on July 7, 2009, described a property as ``situated in the
prestigious and desirable Coombsville area.'' Another realtor listing
from 2008 described a property as ``Coombsville Area at Its Best!'' The
petition includes the following description of a proposed new housing
development in the region: ``The project is off of Wyatt Road, on the
frontier where the residences of east Napa meet the open space and
rural feel of Coombsville'' (``No middle ground in Napa County,'' op.
cit., Oct. 23, 2005). Fifty-five acres in the region purchased for real
estate development is described in the petition as, ``* * * in the
Coombsville area of Napa County, scrub-covered slopes at the south end
of the valley * * *'' (``The Far Side of Eden--New Money, Old Land and
the Battle for Napa Valley,'' James Conaway, Houghton Mifflin Company,
2002, page 50).
The petition notes that the Coombsville name has long been
associated with viticulture. The petition states that the history of
grape-growing in the Coombsville region dates to 1870, when the Carbone
family purchased a large land parcel on Coombsville Road (``Napa Valley
Heyday,'' Richard H. Dillon, The Book Club of California, 2004, page
100). Around 1880, Antonio Carbone opened a winery (ibid.). The
historic winery still exists and is now used as a private residence,
the petition explains. The petition further states that modern vineyard
plantings include: Farella-Park Vineyards; Stag's Leap Wine Cellars'
Arcadia Vineyards; Far Niente Winery's Barrow Lane, Carpenter, and
John's Creek Vineyards; Berlenbach Vineyards; and Richard Perry
Vineyards.
The petition explains that ``Coombsville'' has national name
recognition because of its renown as a wine region in Napa Valley. The
following reports were published by Wine Spectator: ``Putting
Coombsville on the map for Napa Cabernet'' (July 31, 2001), regarding a
vintner who believes he can make one of the top cabernets in the Napa
Valley region; ``Caldwell Vineyards'' (Nov. 15, 2002), regarding the
first time that John Caldwell produced wine from a 60-acre Coombsville
vineyard; ``Franciscan Buys Large Parcel of Napa Land'' (March 15,
1999), describing a 160-acre property in the Coombsville region; and
``James Laube Unfined--An Armchair Winery `Tour' with Philippe Melka''
(Aug. 10, 2007), detailing the acquisition of Coombsville-grown
cabernet grapes to produce wine.
The petition also states that the following reports on the
Coombsville region appeared on AppellationAmerica.com: the Coombsville
region is described as ``the hottest spot for grapes these days in the
Napa Valley'' and it is circled on a map of the Napa Valley in ``Why
Cool Coombsville is HOT'' (Oct. 8, 2008); and a 1995 acquisition of 20
acres of vineyards in the Coombsville region is detailed in ``The
Wonders of Mountain Terroir: Let Robert Craig Explain'' (Feb. 7, 2007).
Boundary Evidence
According to USGS maps submitted with the petition, the proposed
Coombsville viticultural area is nestled in the southeastern region of
the Napa Valley viticultural area, between the eastern shores of both
the Napa River and Milliken Creek and the western ridgeline of the Vaca
Range at the Solano County line. The west-facing, horseshoe-shaped
southern tip of the Vaca Range encircles much of the proposed
Coombsville viticultural area and defines parts of the northern,
eastern, and southern portions of the boundary line, according to the
petition, boundary description, and USGS maps.
According to the boundary description in the petition, the eastern
portion of the boundary line of the proposed Coombsville viticultural
area incorporates straight lines between western peaks of the Vaca
Range. The eastern portion of the boundary line corresponds in part to,
but does not overlap, the western portions of the boundary lines of the
Wild Horse Valley and Solano County Green Valley viticultural areas and
stays within Napa County.
As detailed in the boundary description in the petition, the
southern portion of the boundary line of the proposed Coombsville
viticultural area follows a straight southeast-to-northwest line from a
map point in Kreuse Canyon to Imola Avenue, and then continues west on
Imola Avenue to the Napa River.
According to the petition, and as visible on the USGS maps, an
east-west transverse ridge that climatically protects the Coombsville
region from the full impact of the marine influence of the San Pablo
Bay lies beyond the proposed southern portion of the boundary line.
Commonly known as ``Suscol,'' ``Soscol,'' or ``Soscol Ridge,'' the
ridge separates the Coombsville region from large portions of the Napa
Valley flood plain's differing soils and broad slough topography. The
petition states that the complex terrain of the ridge was difficult to
use as a precise and reasonable southern portion of the boundary line
for the proposed
[[Page 77680]]
Coombsville viticultural area petition. Hence, a straight line between
two map points and a portion of Imola Avenue was used to define the
southern limits of the proposed Coombsville viticultural area. TTB
believes that the straight line and Imola Avenue are a reasonable
alternative for the proposed southern portion of the boundary line.
According to the boundary description and the USGS Napa Quadrangle
map, the western portion of the boundary line of the proposed
Coombsville viticultural area relies on portions of the Napa River and
Milliken Creek to connect Imola Avenue to the south with Monticello
Road to the north. TTB notes that the southwest corner of the proposed
viticultural area, at the intersection of Imola Avenue and the Napa
River, touches but does not overlap the eastern portion of the boundary
line of the Los Carneros viticultural area.
According to the boundary description, the northern portion of the
boundary line of the proposed Coombsville viticultural area uses
Monticello Road and a straight line from the road's intersection with
the 400-foot contour line eastward to the peak of Mt. George. Much of
the length of the proposed northern portion of the boundary line
follows a ridge line from the Vaca Range along Milliken Creek,
according to the USGS maps submitted with the petition. TTB notes that
the northwest corner of the proposed viticultural area, at the
intersection of Milliken Creek and Monticello Road, touches but does
not overlap the southeast corner of the Oak Knoll District of Napa
Valley viticultural area.
Distinguishing Features
Geology
The petition describes the ancient volcanic and crustal uplift
events in the geologic history of the Coombsville region (``The
Geologic Origin of the Coombsville Area,'' EarthVision, Inc., May
2009). According to the petition and the above report, the initial
geological event was the eruption and collapse of a volcano that was
part of the Napa Valley-Sonoma volcanic series. The collapse of the
volcano created a bowl-shaped structure known as a caldera, which
formed the basis for the ``cup and saucer'' topography within the
Coombsville region.
The petition states that the next important geologic process began
when crustal forces started to uplift and wrinkle the earth crust in
the Vaca Range. The uplift progressed from east to west through the
Vaca Range. When the uplift passed through the Coombsville region, the
western front of the caldera collapsed and slid westward as a large
landslide into the valley below (ibid.). The ancient Napa River removed
most of the landslide debris from the Napa Valley (ibid.). The
remaining debris formed a raised structure in the valley, and the
remaining portion of the caldera formed a horseshoe-shaped ridge to the
east. This area is referred to on USGS maps of the Coombsville area as
the ``cup and saucer,'' since the raised area resembles a teacup
sitting within the curved ``saucer'' formed by the remaining ridge of
the caldera.
The petition states that the earth surface materials that cover the
proposed Coombsville viticultural area originated in a variety of ways.
A thin coat of residual debris on volcanic bedrock covers the hills.
Within the remains of the caldera, alluvial gravels of the Huichica
Formation occur in the northern part and diatomaceous lake deposits
occur along the northeast edge. The remainder of the surface material
is a variety of alluvial deposits laid down since the ancient volcanic
collapse (ibid.).
The petition did not include data on the geology of the surrounding
areas.
Geography
As shown in the aerial photograph submitted with the petition, the
most notable geographical characteristic of the proposed Coombsville
viticultural area is a horseshoe-shaped, elevated landform, part of the
Vaca Range (``The Winemaker's Dance--Exploring Terroir in the Napa
Valley''). The west-facing horseshoe comprises a ring of volcanic
mountains, according to the petition. The elevated cup-and-saucer
landform lies partially within the curvature of the horseshoe on the
western side of the proposed viticultural area. A small flood plain
lies along the proposed western portion of the boundary line near the
Napa River and Milliken Creek, the petition explains. The petition
states that gentle slopes and rolling terrain extend westward from the
Vaca Range and the opening of the horseshoe to the Napa River and
Milliken Creek, and that most viticultural activity occurs within this
area. The petition states that the Milliken-Sarco-Tulocay watershed,
named after the three main creeks in the region, lies within the
proposed Coombsville viticultural area. The cup-and-saucer landform
presents a drainage obstacle, making Sarco Creek detour to the north
and Tulocay Creek flow to the south. Eventually, all drainage flows to
the southwest and joins with the south-flowing Napa River, the petition
explains.
According to USGS maps, elevations within the proposed Coombsville
viticultural area vary from about 10 feet along Milliken Creek and the
Napa River shoreline to 1,877 feet at the peak of Mt. George, at the
northeast corner of the proposed Coombsville viticultural area along
the western ridge of the Vaca Range. The landforms along the remaining
caldera wall that forms the edge of the ``saucer'' vary from
approximately 500 to 1,200 feet in elevation, some having steep
terrain. The raised ``cup'' portion of the cup-and-saucer formation
exceeds 400 feet in elevation in some areas. The surrounding gentle
slopes and rolling terrain which form the bottom of the ``saucer'' vary
from approximately 100 to 200 feet in elevation. The flood plain along
the western boundary line varies in elevation from 10 to 20 feet along
Milliken Creek and the Napa River.
According to the petition, the combination of unique landforms and
large elevation differences gives the proposed Coombsville viticultural
area a fog-protected partial basin with high surrounding ridges. The
aerial photograph submitted with the petition shows Coombsville as an
isolated niche within the larger, more open terrain of the Napa Valley
viticultural area. Also, the USGS maps indicate that the Vaca Range to
the east provides a natural geographical boundary for the proposed
viticultural area.
According to the USGS maps and the petition, the regions
surrounding the proposed Coombsville viticultural area have different
geographies. To the northwest of the proposed viticultural area lies
the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley viticultural area, which can be
distinguished from the proposed Coombsville viticultural area by its
low valley floor elevations and the dry creek alluvial fan. To the west
lies the City of Napa. To the southwest lies the Los Carneros
viticultural area, which can be distinguished from the proposed
viticultural area by its low rolling hills, flatlands, and mountainous
terrain. To the southeast lies the Solano County Green Valley
viticultural area, with a more rugged terrain than the proposed
Coombsville viticulture area. To the east lies the Wild Horse Valley
viticultural area, which can be distinguished from the proposed
viticultural area by its isolated valley and the surrounding steep,
rugged terrain and high elevations. To the northeast are the Vaca
Mountains, which can be distinguished from the proposed viticultural
area by their rugged terrain.
[[Page 77681]]
Climate
The petition states that the proposed viticultural area has
climatically unique features, including precipitation and heat
summation. The petition provides statistical information on the
microclimates of the adjacent Los Carneros and Oak Knoll District of
Napa Valley viticultural areas, which are both within the larger Napa
Valley viticultural area (``The Micro-Climate of the Coombsville
Viticultural Area,'' Erik Moldstad, Sept. 28, 2009). According to the
petitioner, the isolated Wild Horse Valley and Solano County Green
Valley viticultural areas, to the immediate east of the proposed
Coombsville viticultural area, lack available weather station data. In
considering this petition, TTB obtained historic weather station data
for surrounding north, east, south, and west regions within 15 miles or
less of the proposed Coombsville viticultural area (Lake Berryessa,
Fairfield, Napa State Hospital, and the City of Napa, respectively)
from the Western Region Climate Center (WRCC) Web site, created in
partnership with the National Climatic Data Center, Regional Climate
Centers, and State Climate Offices.
The table below presents average annual precipitation amounts and
heat summation range totals for the Coombsville region, the Los
Carneros and Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley viticultural areas, and
the surrounding north, east, south, and west weather station areas. The
table data is based primarily on petition documentation and also TTB's
WRCC Web site data research.
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Oak Knoll
Los Carneros District of
Climatic averages for Coombsville region Coombsville viticultural Napa Valley Lake Berryessa Fairfield Napa State City of Napa
and surrounding areas region area viticultural (north) (east) Hospital (west)
(southwest) area (south)
(northwest)
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Years................................... 2006-2008 2006-2008 2006-2008 1957-1970 1950-2009 1893-2009 1903-1965
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Precipitation in inches--annual average. 19.14 17.32 21.63 24.44 22.77 24.61 24.02
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Years................................... 1974-2007 1974-2007 1974-2007 1974-2007 1950-2009 1893-2009 1903-1965
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Heat summation units--annual average.... 2,550 2,435 2,888 2,611 2,667 2,794 3,233
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The table shows that precipitation in the proposed Coombsville
viticultural area averages 19.14 inches annually, and varies from the
surrounding viticultural microclimates. The Coombsville region is
warmer and wetter than the Los Carneros viticultural area to the
southwest and cooler and drier than the Oak Knoll District of Napa
Valley viticultural area to the northwest, according to Michael Wolf,
owner of Michael Wolf Vineyard Services. To the northwest, the Oak
Knoll District of Napa Valley viticultural area averages 2.5 inches
more annual rainfall. To the southwest, the Los Carneros viticultural
area has about 2 inches less rainfall annually. The data in the table
indicates that the proposed Coombsville viticultural area averages 3.63
to 5.47 inches less precipitation annually than the four surrounding
areas for which weather station data was obtained by TTB.
The growing season in the proposed Coombsville viticultural area is
measured in the Winkler climate classification system (``General
Viticulture,'' Albert J. Winkler, University of California Press, 1974,
pages 61-64). In the Winkler system, heat accumulation per year defines
climatic regions. As a measurement of heat accumulation during the
growing season, 1 degree day accumulates for each degree Fahrenheit
that a day's mean temperature is above 50 degrees, which is the minimum
temperature required for grapevine growth. Climatic region I has less
than 2,500 growing degree days (GDD) per year; region II, 2,501 to
3,000; region III, 3,001 to 3,500; region IV, 3,501 to 4,000; and
region V, 4,001 or more.
According to the table, the Coombsville region is a low Winkler
region II (2,550 GDD units), which is cooler by 61 to 683 degree units
than the four surrounding areas from which weather station data was
obtained by TTB. The coolest of the four areas is Lake Berryessa to the
north at 2,611 GDD units (region II), and the warmest is the City of
Napa to the west at 3,233 GDD units (region III). Also, the adjacent
Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley viticultural area is significantly
warmer at 2,888 GDD units, a high Winkler region II. The adjacent Los
Carneros viticultural area is cooler than the proposed Coombsville
region (region l) at 2,435 GDD units.
The petition states that significant viticultural factors for the
Coombsville region growing season include the amount of solar radiation
and daytime heating. The solar radiation and heating are affected by
the dissipation rate of morning fog, followed by the number of hours of
sunshine, and then the onset of afternoon cooling bay breezes from San
Pablo Bay.
The petition states that the effects of the presence and
disappearance of fog from the Napa Valley region in the day alters the
temperature rise in the grape-growing season. Temperature and sunlight
have subtle effects on grape development that, over the growing season,
affect grape ripening times and flavors. The pace of sugar accumulation
and the pace of the lessening of acidity during grape ripening are two
examples of how the fog affects grape development. The petition notes
that grape growers in the cooler Los Carneros viticultural area, to the
south and closer to the foggy bay, harvest grapes with similar sugar
and acidity levels for the same varietal as in the Coombsville region,
but do so later in the growing season. To the north of the Coombsville
region, in the warmer and less foggy Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley
viticultural area, the same varietals with similar sugar and acid
levels are harvested earlier than in the Coombsville and Los Carneros
areas.
The petition explains that the Coombsville region has more sunlight
and daytime heat during the growing season than the Los Carneros
viticultural area to the southwest and less than the Oak Knoll District
of Napa Valley viticultural area to the northwest. The morning fog
generally dissipates about 1 to 2 hours earlier in the Coombsville
region than in the Los
[[Page 77682]]
Carneros viticultural area to the southwest, and an hour later than in
the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley viticultural area to the
northwest. Also, in the afternoon, the bay breezes first cool the Los
Carneros viticultural area, then spread slowly northward through the
Coombsville region into the Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley
viticultural area, and eventually continue northward up the Napa
Valley.
According to the petition, as the San Pablo Bay afternoon breezes
reach northward to each micro-climate in the Napa Valley region, the
air temperature incrementally stops rising, or slightly decreases.
These cool breezes contribute to the differences in maximum daytime
temperatures during the growing season for the south-to-north locations
in the Los Carneros viticultural area, the Coombsville region, Oak
Knoll District of Napa Valley viticultural area, and other Napa Valley
viticultural areas.
Soils
The petition explains that the soils of the proposed Coombsville
viticultural area are generally well drained and of volcanic origin.
Upland soils are weathered from their primary volcanic source, while
lowland soils are alluvial in nature (``A Custom Soil Resource Report
for Napa County, California--Coombsville Soils,'' Natural Resources
Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture, http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/, May 27, 2009). The petitioner provided
the following table, which shows the percentages of the predominant
soils in the proposed Coombsville viticultural area as compared to
surrounding regions, based on information contained in this report.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oak Knoll
District of Wild Horse West Side Napa
Viticultural area Coombsville Napa Valley Los Carneros Valley (E) River (W)
(percent) (NW) (SW) (percent) (percent) (percent)
(percent)
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Predominant Soil Series:
Hambright-Rock outcrop... 28.5 0.6 0.2 15.5 0
Coombs................... 24.1 5.6 0 1.7 5.0
Sobrante................. 15.5 1.1 0 16.0 0
Forward.................. 7.4 0.7 7.9 0 0.4
Haire.................... 4.5 23.0 43.0 0 10.8
Cole..................... 2.6 23.1 10.9 0 47.3
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The Hambright-Rock outcrop complex makes up 28.5 percent of the
Coombsville area, as shown on the above table, and is found in lesser
concentrations to the north, east, and south. The complex is found in
the Vaca Range and makes up most of the cup-and-saucer landform soils
(ibid.).
Coombs gravelly and stony loams represent 24.1 percent of the soils
in the Coombsville area, and are found in lesser concentrations to the
north, east, and west, as shown on the above table. In addition, those
soils are the main types appropriate for grape growing in the
Coombsville region. They are alluvial, well drained soils at elevations
of 50 to 500 feet. The Coombs soils are ``relatively unique to the
area,'' and they were likely first identified in the Coombsville area,
according to the petition. Coombs soils make up only 1.7 percent of the
soils in Napa County, but they account for almost a quarter of the
Coombsville region soils (ibid.).
As shown on the table, Sobrante soils make up 15.5 percent of the
Coombsville region, 16 percent to the east in Wild Horse Valley, and a
much lesser concentration to the northwest. These soils are well
drained and are at elevations of 120 feet and higher.
As shown on the table, soils found in lesser concentrations in the
proposed Coombsville viticultural area include Haire and Cole, which
have higher concentrations in three of the surrounding areas.
The Proposed Coombsville Viticultural Area Compared to the North Coast
and Napa Valley Viticultural Areas
North Coast Viticultural Area
The North Coast viticultural area was established by T.D. ATF-145,
which was published in the Federal Register on September 21, 1983 (48
FR 42973). It includes all or portions of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino,
Solano, Lake, and Marin Counties, California. TTB notes that the North
Coast viticultural area contains all or portions of approximately 40
established viticultural areas, in addition to the area covered by the
proposed Coombsville viticultural area. In the conclusion of the
``Geographical Features'' section of the preamble, T.D. ATF-145 states
that ``[d]ue to the enormous size of the North Coast, variations exist
in climatic features such as temperature, rainfall, and fog
intrusion.''
The proposed Coombsville viticultural area shares the basic
viticultural feature of the North Coast viticultural area: the marine
influence that moderates growing season temperatures in the area.
However, the proposed viticultural area is much more uniform in its
geography, geology, climate, and soils than the diverse multicounty
North Coast viticultural area. In this regard, TTB notes that T.D. ATF-
145 specifically states that ``approval of this viticultural area does
not preclude approval of additional areas, either wholly contained with
the North Coast, or partially overlapping the North Coast,'' and that
``smaller viticultural areas tend to be more uniform in their
geographical and climatic characteristics, while very large areas such
as the North Coast tend to exhibit generally similar characteristics,
in this case the influence of maritime air off of the Pacific Ocean and
San Pablo Bay.'' Thus, the proposal to establish the Coombsville
viticultural area is not inconsistent with what was envisaged when the
North Coast viticultural area was established.
Napa Valley Viticultural Area
The Napa Valley viticultural area was established by T.D. ATF-79,
which was published in the Federal Register on January 28, 1981 (46 FR
9061), includes most of Napa County, California. As noted in T.D. ATF-
79, the Napa Valley viticultural area encompasses ``all the areas
traditionally known as `Napa Valley' which possess generally similar
viticulture characteristics different from those of the surrounding
areas.'' TTB notes that the Napa Valley viticultural area encompasses
14 existing smaller viticultural areas, in addition to the area covered
by the proposed Coombsville viticultural area.
The Coombsville petition states that a Mediterranean climate of
warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters dominates the Napa Valley
region. Air temperatures in the valley increase from south to north
based on the dissipation of the marine fog and cooling winds
[[Page 77683]]
from the San Pablo Bay to the south. Precipitation amounts are greater
at the north end of the valley, at higher elevations, and in the
Mayacmas Mountains on the west side of the valley. Sun exposure is
greater on the east side of Napa Valley along the southwest face of the
Vaca Range, including the Coombsville region, as compared to the
western valley foothills of the Mayacmas Mountains.
According to T.D. ATF-79, the Napa Valley viticultural area
contains varieties of both Coombs and Sobrante soils, which are
prominent in the Coombsville region. The Napa Valley viticultural area
also includes other soil types, including Bale, Cole, Yolo, Reyes, and
Clear Lake. The latter soil types are not prominent or are not present
in the proposed Coombsville viticultural area, according to the
petition. Thus, while the characteristics of the proposed Coombsville
viticultural area are generally similar to those of the Napa Valley
viticultural area, there are some distinguishing characteristics that
warrant its separate designation as a viticultural area.
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Comments Received
TTB published Notice No. 119 regarding the proposed Coombsville
viticultural area in the Federal Register on May 24, 2011 (76 FR
30052). In that notice, TTB requested comments from all interested
persons by July 25, 2011. TTB solicited comments on the accuracy of the
name, boundary, climactic, and other required information submitted in
support of the petition. TTB expressed particular interest in whether
the distinguishing features of the proposed viticultural area are
sufficiently different from the established Napa Valley and North Coast
viticultural areas, within which the proposed area lies. Additionally,
TTB asked if the geographic features of the proposed viticultural area
are so distinguishable from the surrounding Napa Valley and North Coast
viticultural areas that the proposed Coombsville viticultural area
should no longer be part of those viticultural areas.
TTB received 50 comments in response to Notice No. 119. The
commenters included 26 self-identified wine industry members and one
self-identified representative of a trade association, the Napa Valley
Vintners. Forty-nine of the comments express support for the proposed
Coombsville viticultural area, and many note the unique climate and
distinctive geography of the proposed viticultural area as described in
Notice No. 119. The remaining comment, comment 17, notes a
typographical error in the boundary description in paragraph (c)(12) of
the proposed regulatory text, which is described in more detail below.
There were no comments submitted in opposition to Notice No. 119.
TTB Finding
After careful review of the petition and the comments received
during the comment period, TTB finds that the evidence provided by the
petitioner supports the establishment of the proposed Coombsville
viticultural area within the Napa Valley and North Coast viticultural
areas, as proposed in Notice No. 119, with the alteration to the
boundary description as discussed below. Accordingly, under the
authority of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and part 4 of the
TTB regulations, TTB establishes the ``Coombsville'' viticultural area
in Napa County, California, effective 30 days from the publication date
of this document.
Boundary Description
See the narrative boundary description of the viticultural area in
the regulatory text published at the end of this document. In this
final rule, TTB altered some of the language in the written boundary
description published as part of Notice No. 119, to conform the written
boundary description to the boundary of the proposed viticultural area
as marked on the USGS maps and the written description submitted with
the petition. As noted in comment 17, in paragraph (c)(12) of the
proposed regulatory text, the word ``northwest'' should have read
``northeast.'' Paragraph (c)(12) of the final regulatory text contains
the correct term ``northeast.''
Maps
The petitioner provided the required maps, and TTB lists them below
in the regulatory text.
Impact on Current Wine Labels
Part 4 of the TTB regulations prohibits any label reference on a
wine that indicates or implies an origin other than the wine's true
place of origin. With the establishment of this viticultural area, its
name, ``Coombsville,'' is recognized as a name of viticultural
significance under 27 CFR 4.39(i)(3). The text of the new regulation
clarifies this point. Once this final rule becomes effective, wine
bottlers using ``Coombsville'' in a brand name, including a trademark,
or in another label reference as to the origin of the wine, will have
to ensure that the product is eligible to use the viticultural area's
name as an appellation of origin. The establishment of the Coombsville
viticultural area will not affect any existing viticultural area, and
any bottlers using Napa Valley or North Coast as an appellation of
origin or in a brand name for wines made from grapes grown within the
Coombsville viticultural area will not be affected by the establishment
of this new viticultural area. The establishment of the Coombsville
viticultural area will allow vintners to use ``Coombsville,'' ``Napa
Valley,'' and ``North Coast'' as appellations of origin for wines made
from grapes grown within the Coombsville viticultural area.
For a wine to be labeled with a viticultural area name or with a
brand name that includes a viticultural area name or other term
identified as being viticulturally significant in part 9 of the TTB
regulations, at least 85 percent of the wine must be derived from
grapes grown within the area represented by that name or other term,
and the wine must meet the other conditions listed in 27 CFR
4.25(e)(3). If the wine is not eligible for labeling with the
viticultural area name or other viticulturally significant term and
that name or term 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 viticultural area name or
other term of viticultural significance 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 a
viticultural area name or other viticulturally significant term that
was used as a brand name on a label approved before July 7, 1986. See
27 CFR 4.39(i)(2) for details.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
TTB certifies that this regulation will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The
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
This rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined by
Executive Order 12866. Therefore, it requires no regulatory assessment.
[[Page 77684]]
Drafting Information
Karen A. Thornton of the Regulations and Rulings Division drafted
this notice.
List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9
Wine.
The Regulatory Amendment
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, TTB amends 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. 9.223 to read as follows:
Sec. 9.223 Coombsville.
(a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this
section is ``Coombsville''. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter,
``Coombsville'' is a term of viticultural significance.
(b) Approved maps. The two United States Geological Survey 1:24,000
scale topographic maps used to determine the boundary of the
Coombsville viticultural area are titled:
(1) Mt. George Quadrangle, California, 1951, Photoinspected 1973;
and
(2) Napa Quadrangle, California-Napa Co., 1951, Photorevised 1980.
(c) Boundary. The Coombsville viticultural area is located in Napa
County, California. The boundary of the Coombsville viticultural area
is as described below:
(1) The beginning point is on the Mt. George map at the 1,877-foot
peak of Mt. George, section 29, T6N/R3W. From the beginning point,
proceed southeast in a straight line for 0.4 mile to the intersection
of the 1,400-foot elevation line and an unnamed intermittent creek that
feeds northeast into Leonia Lakes, section 29, T6N/R3W; then
(2) Proceed east-southeast in a straight line for 0.45 mile to the
intersection of the 1,380-foot elevation line and an unnamed,
unimproved dirt road, and then continue in the same straight line to
the section 29 east boundary line, T6N/R3W; then
(3) Proceed south-southeast in a straight line for 0.6 mile to the
unnamed 1,804-foot elevation point in the northwest quadrant of section
33, T6N/R3W; then
(4) Proceed south-southwest in a straight line for 1 mile, passing
over the marked 1,775-foot elevation point, to the intersection of the
T6N and T5N common line and the 1,600-foot elevation line; then
(5) Proceed south-southeast in a straight line for 1.1 miles to the
1,480-foot elevation point along the section 9 north boundary line,
T5N/R3W; then
(6) Proceed south-southwest in a straight line for 1.3 miles to the
1,351-foot elevation point, section 16, T5N/R3W; then
(7) Proceed south-southwest in a straight line for 1.5 miles to the
intersection with two unimproved dirt roads and the 1,360-foot
elevation line in Kreuse Canyon at the headwaters of the intermittent
Kreuse Creek, northeast of Sugarloaf, section 20, T5N/R3W; then
(8) Proceed northwest in a straight line for 1.95 miles to the 90-
degree turn of Imola Avenue at the 136-foot elevation point, section
13, T5N/R4W; then
(9) Proceed west along Imola Avenue for 2.1 miles, crossing from
the Mt. George map onto the Napa map, to the intersection of Imola
Avenue with the Napa River at the Maxwell Bridge, T5N/R4W; then
(10) Proceed north (upstream) along the Napa River for 3.2 miles,
crossing over the T6N/T5N common line, to the intersection of the Napa
River with Milliken Creek, T6N/R4W; then
(11) Proceed north (upstream) along Milliken Creek for 0.75 mile to
the intersection of Milliken Creek with Monticello Road, T6N/R4W; then
(12) Proceed northeast along Monticello Road for 2.4 miles,
crossing from the Napa map onto the Mt. George map, to the intersection
of Monticello Road with the section 19 west boundary line, T6N/R3W; and
then
(13) Proceed east-southeast in a straight line for 1.4 miles to the
beginning point, section 29, T6N/R3W.
Signed: September 28, 2011.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
Approved: October 19, 2011.
Timothy E. Skud,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy.
[FR Doc. 2011-32018 Filed 12-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P