TTB crowns 29K-acre Columbia Hills as official Washington wine land
Published Date: 8/17/2026
Rule
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New Columbia Hills AVA Created
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau establishes the 29,387-acre "Columbia Hills" American viticultural area in Klickitat County, Washington, effective September 16, 2026. Vineyard owners and wineries inside the AVA (about 338 acres of vineyards owned by 19 property owners and 4 wineries) may use the new AVA name to describe the origin of wines if they meet labeling rules.
AVA Labeling Must Meet 85% Rule
For a wine label to use an AVA name (including "Columbia Hills"), at least 85 percent of the wine must be derived from grapes grown within that AVA. If a bottler uses "Columbia Hills" in a brand name or other origin reference but the wine is not eligible, the bottler must change the brand name and obtain approval of a new label.
No New Reporting or Records Required
TTB certifies this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities and states the regulation imposes no new reporting, recordkeeping, or other administrative requirement. Any benefit from using the AVA name depends on proprietors' marketing efforts and consumer acceptance.
Consumers Can Identify Wine Origins
TTB states that designating the Columbia Hills AVA helps consumers better identify wines they may purchase by providing a recognized geographic origin name. The Columbia Hills name will be recognized as a term of viticultural significance for labeling under 27 CFR part 4, effective September 16, 2026.
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Related Federal Register Documents
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