Uncle Sam Toasts New Tryon Foothills Wine Region in NC
Published Date: 9/29/2025
Rule
Summary
The Tryon Foothills in Polk County, North Carolina, just got its own official wine region! This new American Viticultural Area (AVA) helps local winemakers proudly label their wines with a special place name, making it easier for wine lovers to find unique bottles. This change starts now and doesn’t cost wineries extra—it’s all about celebrating local flavor and boosting the wine scene.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Tryon Foothills AVA Established
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau established the approximately 176-square-mile "Tryon Foothills" American Viticultural Area in Polk County, North Carolina. Wineries and vintners in that area can now use the Tryon Foothills place name on their wine labels, and the document states this change starts now and does not cost wineries extra.
Consumers Gain Clearer Wine Origin Labels
You can more easily identify wines from the new Tryon Foothills AVA, an approximately 176-square-mile area in Polk County, North Carolina, because TTB established the AVA to help consumers better identify wines they may purchase. The AVA is not located within or containing any other established viticultural area.
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Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16701, Establishment of the Columbia Hills Viticultural Area
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) establishes the 29,387-acre "Columbia Hills" American viticultural area (AVA) in Klickitat County, Washington. The newly established AVA is located entirely within the existing Columbia Valley 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.
2026-16670, Proposed Establishment of the Llano Uplift and Hickory Sands District Viticultural Areas
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the 2,096-square mile "Llano Uplift" American viticultural area (AVA) in portions of Blanco, Burnet, Gillespie, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and San Saba Counties in Texas. The proposed AVA entirely encompasses the established Bell Mountain AVA. TTB is also proposing to establish the 193-square mile "Hickory Sands District" AVA in portions of Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and San Saba Counties in Texas. TTB is proposing these two AVAs simultaneously because, if established, the proposed Hickory Sands District AVA would be located entirely within the proposed Llano Uplift AVA. Additionally, both proposed AVAs are located entirely within the boundaries of the existing Texas Hill Country AVA. 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. TTB invites comments on these proposals.
2026-16669, Proposed Establishment of the Mill Creek-Walla Walla Valley Viticultural Area
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the approximately 4,898-acre "Mill Creek--Walla Walla Valley" American viticultural area (AVA) in Walla Walla County, Washington. The proposed viticultural area lies entirely within the established Columbia Valley and Walla Walla Valley AVAs. 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. TTB invites comments on this proposed addition to its regulations.
2026-16671, Proposed Establishment of the Rancho Santa Fe Viticultural Area
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the 15,827-acre "Rancho Santa Fe" American viticultural area (AVA) in San Diego County, California. The proposed AVA is located entirely within the existing South Coast AVA. 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. TTB invites comments on these proposals.
2026-16668, Proposed Establishment of the Kaw Valley Viticultural Area
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the approximately 3,515,482-acre (5,493-square mile) "Kaw Valley" American viticultural area in northeastern Kansas. The proposed viticultural area is not within any other established 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. TTB invites comments on this proposed addition to its regulations.
2026-05741, Proposed Establishment of the Champlain Valley of Vermont Viticultural Area
The government wants to create a new wine region called the Champlain Valley of Vermont, covering over a million acres in western Vermont. This helps local winemakers label their wines with a special place name, making it easier for wine lovers to know where their bottle comes from. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until May 26, 2026, to share them—no cost to weigh in!
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