By: Kuempel, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Buckingham) H.B. No. 1957

(In the Senate - Received from the House April 12, 2021; May 6, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Business & Commerce; May 12, 2021, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 12, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the labeling of wine as originating from an area of this state or with the name of a vineyard in this state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 101, Alcoholic Beverage Code, is amended by adding Section 101.673 to read as follows:

Sec. 101.673. USE OF AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREA, COUNTY, OR VINEYARD ON WINE LABEL. (a) In this section, "American viticultural area" has the meaning assigned by 27 C.F.R. Section 4.25.

(b) A wine that is otherwise entitled under federal law to an appellation of origin indicating the wine's origin is an American viticultural area or county located in this state may use that appellation only if the wine is 100 percent by volume fermented juice of grapes or other fruit grown in this state.

(c) A wine that is otherwise entitled under federal law to use the name of a specific vineyard in this state on the wine's label may use the name of the vineyard on the label only if the wine is 100 percent by volume fermented juice of grapes or other fruit grown in this state.

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a wine made from grapes or other fruit harvested on or after January 1, 2022.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

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