In anticipation of the retirement on 12/30/2010 of Ms. Nancy Sutton, TTB’s current American Viticultural Area (AVA) Program Manager, TTB is announcing that effective December 27, 2010, Ms. Elisabeth Kann of the Regulations and Rulings Division has been designated the coordinator of the AVA Program. Ms. Kann may be contacted directly on all AVA questions and concerns, including inquiries regarding the proposed establishment of a new AVA, or a name or boundary line change to an existing AVA. She can be reached by telephone at 202-453-2002, by email at Elisabeth.Kann@ttb.gov, or by letter addressed to: TTB, 1310 G Street, NW., Suite 200-E, Washington, DC 20220, Attn: Elisabeth Kann, Regulations and Rulings Division.

Wine Industry Analyst Perky Ramroth also retired effective 12/30/10. She has been an invaluable source of knowledge and insight into TTB policies relating to the wine industry. Most important she was located on the West Coast and was always very responsive. All indications are that TTB does not intend to fill her position.

In response to a request made on behalf of a wine industry association, TTB is extending for an additional 60 days the comment period prescribed in Notice No. 109, Use of Various Winemaking Terms on Wine Labels and in Advertisements; Request for Public Comment, an advance notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register on November 3, 2010. Written comments on Notice #109 are now due on or before March 4, 2011.