Washington Growers Push 95% Purity

Bill would tighten rules for grape content by state and AVA
by Peter Mitham 
Source: Wines & Vines
Feb 11th 
A proposed bill would require wines bearing labels from a specific AVA to be made 95% from grapes grown within that region.
Washington state growers Wednesday spoke in favor of stricter rules governing the content of wines billed as Washington products. Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers chair Brenton Roy of Oasis Farms (Prosser) and WAWGG director Todd Newhouse of Upland Vineyards (Outlook) testified on behalf of the association at the afternoon meeting.
Roy and Newhouse were traveling and unavailable for comment prior to the presentation, part of a public hearing regarding the bill hosted by the state legislature's Commerce and Labor committee.
WAWGG and the Washington Wine Institute are backing the bill, which received first reading by state lawmakers Jan. 29, 2009. The bill seeks to require that Washington wines be made 95% from Washington-grown grapes. Wines bearing labels referencing a specific viticultural area would have to be made 95% from grapes grown within the designated American Viticultural Area.
The rule would also cover wines from AVAs that cross state lines, such as the Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Gorge AVAs, which include both Washington and Oregon vineyards. No less than 95% of grapes used for these wines must be from the AVA the label identifies.