§9.12. AVA petition requirements. — Inbound Citations

(2) A petition for the establishment of an American viticultural area may be made to the Administrator by any interested party, pursuant to part 9 and § 70.701(c) of this chapter. The petition must be made in written form and must contain the information specified in § 9.12 of this chapter.

(a) For purposes of this part, and unless the specific context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

Administrator. The Administrator, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC.

American viticultural area. A viticultural area as defined in § 4.25(e)(1)(i) of this chapter.

Appropriate TTB officer. An officer or employee of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau authorized to perform any functions relating to the administration or enforcement of this part by TTB Order 1135.9, Delegation of the Administrator's Authorities in 27 CFR Part 9, American Viticultural Areas.

Approved map. The U.S.G.S. map(s) used to define the boundary of an approved AVA.

AVA. An American viticultural area.

Perfected petition. A petition containing all of the evidence meeting the requirements of § 9.12 and containing sufficient supporting information for TTB to decide whether or not to proceed with rulemaking to establish a new AVA or to change an existing AVA.

Person. An individual, partnership, association, corporation, or other entity.

Petition. A written request to establish a new AVA or to change an existing AVA, signed by the petitioner or an authorized agent of the petitioner, and submitted in accordance with this part and § 70.701(c) of this chapter.

Petitioner. An individual or entity that submits a petition to TTB.

Term of viticultural significance. A name recognized under § 4.39(i)(3) of this chapter.

TTB. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC.

U.S.G.S. The United States Geological Survey.

(a) Any person may submit an AVA petition to TTB to establish a grape-growing region as a new AVA, to change the boundary of an existing AVA, or to change the name of an existing AVA. The petitioner is responsible for including with the petition all of the information specified in § 9.12. The person submitting the petition is also responsible for providing timely and complete responses to TTB requests for additional information to support the petition.

(ii) The name, boundary, or distinguishing features evidence does not meet the standards for such evidence set forth in § 9.12; or