Wait, Kansas? Feds Propose Giant Kaw Valley Wine Empire
Published Date: 8/14/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New Kaw Valley AVA Proposed
TTB proposes a new "Kaw Valley" American viticultural area covering about 3,515,482 acres (5,493 square miles) in northeastern Kansas, including all or parts of Atchison, Brown, Douglas, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomi, Riley, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Washington, and Wyandotte counties. The proposal notes there are currently 33 vineyards with about 500 acres of grapes inside the proposed area. If established, vintners can use the AVA name to describe a wine's origin when the wine meets labeling rules.
Labeling Rule Effects for Bottlers
If TTB adopts the Kaw Valley AVA, the name "Kaw Valley" will be a recognized viticultural term and wine labels that use that name must meet AVA labeling rules — at least 85 percent of the wine must be from grapes grown in the named area to use the AVA as an appellation of origin. Bottlers with a brand name or other label reference using "Kaw Valley" that do not meet those requirements would need to change the brand name or obtain approval of a new label; different rules can apply for brand names used before July 7, 1986.
No New Paperwork; Small-Entity Finding
TTB certifies that, if adopted, the proposed Kaw Valley AVA rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and would impose no new reporting, recordkeeping, or other administrative requirements. Any economic benefit from using the AVA name would result from a proprietor's marketing efforts and consumer acceptance.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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