Willamette Valley Wineries Association Labeling & Content Legislative Initiatives Questionnaire
The mission of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association is to promote, enhance and protect the prestige of Willamette Valley wines and to support our members and community.
With this mission in mind, the WVWA is pursuing three legislative initiatives to strengthen our labeling rules for the protection of place:
1) Conjunctive Labeling
2) Exclusive Willamette Valley Grape Sourcing
3) Strengthen Grape Variety Content Regulations
There is strong support for the first two initiatives. Although there is general acceptance of the Grape Variety Content concept, and significant feedback has been used in structuring the concept, additional refinement is required.
We would appreciate your review and feedback on the structure of Grape Variety Content. The WVWA would like one (1) form submitted from each member winery and vineyard.
Current Grape Content Regulations
All wines bottled with the Willamette Valley Appellation or Sub-Appellation must meet the following content levels:
To Use Willamette Valley AVA on Label - Grape Sourcing
95% of the grapes must come from within the Willamette Valley AVA
To Use the Variety Name on Label - Variety Content
90% of the grape type must come from the named variety
Exceptions - there are 18 grape varieties exempted from Oregon's 90% minimum requirement for varietal labeling and allowed to be blended with up to 25% of other varieties.
These include: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère, Petite Sirah, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot, Roussane, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo and Zinfandel
Proposed Update to Content Grape Regulations
Beginning 12/31/22 all applicable wines shall meet the following content levels:
Exclusive Grape Sourcing:
100% of grapes must come from within the Willamette Valley Viticulture Area or Nested AVA names on the label. Wines that do not meet the 100% requirement of Willaette Vallley grapes can still be made, be would be required to only use Oregon as the stated grape source. By bringing Willamette Valley to 100% it would now match the 100% Oregon grape sourcing requirment.
Strengthen Variety Content (95%/5%):
To use a single grape variety name as the type designation on a label, 95% of the wine must come from that variety, AND if blended, all grape varieties must be listed somewhere on the front or back label with percentages. The listing of all varieties can be on any part of the label and meet a minimum size requirement.
Exceptions - The 18 grape varieties will remain exempted from the 95% minimum requirement for varietal labeling and allowed to be blended with up to 25% other varieties.
