For wineries looking to use Baga on their American wine labels, we have exciting news: Rogoway Law Group successfully petitioned the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) to add Baga to the list of administratively approved grape variety names for American wines.3 What is Baga? Baga is a distinguished red wine grape variety from Portugal that is very
Startup costs can present a major hurdle for businesses seeking to make their mark in the wine industry. Fortunately, the “alternating proprietorship” model presents an opportunity for an ambitious company to produce its own wine without the burden of certain significant startup costs. It also offers financial opportunities for existing wineries with excess capacity. And, notably, in contrast to the
Introduction to Custom Crush Agreements The wine industry is complex, and it takes a significant amount of time, money and skill to produce a high-quality product. One aspect of the industry that has been gaining popularity in recent years is the “Custom Crush” model of business. This structure lets an aspiring wine maker enter the business without a producer’s license
Introduction Grapes are the foundational ingredient of wine, so it should come as no surprise that the contract for winemakers to purchase grapes from winegrowers – the Grape Purchase Agreement – represents a crucial aspect of the wine industry. Nearly all winemakers purchase at least some of their grape supply from third-party grape growers. Grape Purchase Agreements, the type of
The Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 USCA Ch.8, subchapters I-II, Sections 201-219a, as applicable) (The “Act”) authorizes the US Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of the Treasury (the “TTB”) to be the permitting authority for importers, producers, and wholesalers of wine; and to regulate the advertising and marketing of wine, including as relates
Why B Corporation Certification is on the Rise In California particularly, issues of environmental impact and public impact are at the forefront of corporate and political leadership. In part, this is due to the constant challenges that arise through a highly agricultural geography meeting very tumultuous environmental factors, including drought, fire and flood. This is of heightened importance with industries
When scrolling through bottles of wine and beer at your local liquor store, or browsing the cannabis products in a neighborhood dispensary, labels jump out as one of the most important ways for a beverage or cannabis business to connect with its customers. Labels capture consumers’ attention, distinguish products from each other, and convey important information to potential buyers. This
Before any bottle of wine (inclusive of cider and mead) can be introduced into commerce in the United States, it must have an affixed label which has received either a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) or COLA Exemption from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
An individual or entity, including any industry member, or any person or entity on behalf of an industry member, may file a petition to establish a new American Viticultural Area (AVA).
The California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control offers an extensive catalog of licensure and permitting options for wine industry businesses; this post highlights the ABC licenses most relevant to California wineries.
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