New AVA Rulings: TTB Proposes Champlain Valley of Vermont and Establishes Nashoba Valley and Nine Lakes AVAs
Summary
TTB has published both a proposed rule and final rules related to American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). TTB proposes to establish the 'Champlain Valley of Vermont' AVA (comments due May 26, 2026), and has established two new AVAs: the 'Nashoba Valley' AVA in Worcester County, Massachusetts, and the 'Nine Lakes of East Tennessee' AVA in northeastern Tennessee. Both final rules are effective April 23, 2026. None of these new AVAs are located within or contain any existing AVA.
About this source
GovPing monitors US TTB Rulings for new tax regulatory changes. Every update since tracking began is archived, classified, and available as free RSS or email alerts — 1 changes logged to date.
What changed
TTB announced two significant final rules establishing new American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) in the United States. The 'Nashoba Valley' AVA was established in Worcester County, Massachusetts, and the 'Nine Lakes of East Tennessee' AVA was established in northeastern Tennessee. TTB also published a proposed rule to establish the 'Champlain Valley of Vermont' AVA. All three AVAs are independent and not nested within any existing AVA. The final rules establishing Nashoba Valley and Nine Lakes of East Tennessee take effect on April 23, 2026.
Wineries located within these newly designated AVA boundaries may now use the respective AVA name on their wine labels to describe the origin of their wines. This allows vintners to better communicate terroir and regional identity to consumers. Wineries in Vermont that may fall within the proposed Champlain Valley of Vermont AVA boundaries should consider submitting comments by the May 26, 2026 deadline to influence the final designation.
Archived snapshot
Apr 23, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Business Tools
- NEW Invite TTB
- Apply for a Permit
- Submit a Label
- Submit a Formula
- Submit a Claim
- Import/ Export
- Returns/ Reports
- Processing Times
- Stay Compliant
- Taxes and Filing
TTB Regulated Industries
- Resources for Beer, Distilled Spirits, Wine, Sake, Kombucha, and Trade Practices
- Resources for Alcohol Fuel, Industrial Alcohol, Nonbeverage Products, and Tax-free Alcohol
- Resources for Tobacco Manufacturers, Importers, and Export Warehouse Proprietors
- Resources for Gunsmiths, Importers, Manufacturers, and Reloaders.
News and Events
-
April 17, 2026
April 17, 2026 TTB Newsletter
This week we provide helpful reminders for carbonation in cider. Read this week’s edition for more news, trending topics, and upcoming outreach activities.
- April 10, 2026
April 10, 2026 TTB Newsletter
As you prepare products for distribution this season, now is a great time to double-check that your kegs are correctly labeled. Read this week’s edition for more tips, trending topics, and upcoming outreach activities.
- April 03, 2026
April 03, 2026 TTB Newsletter
Our fact sheets are designed to give you quick, accurate answers on a variety of topics. Read this week’s edition for more information about our fact sheets, trending topics, and upcoming outreach activities.
Regulations and Guidance
- - March 24, 2026
TTB Proposes Champlain Valley of Vermont Viticultural Area
In a proposed rule published on March 24, 2026, TTB proposes to establish the “Champlain Valley of Vermont” American viticultural area (AVA). We designate AVAs to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. You may electronically submit comments on this proposal using the comment form posted within Docket No. TTB–2026–0002 on the Regulations.gov website. Comments on this AVA proposal are due to TTB by May 26, 2026. You also may view the boundaries of the proposed AVA on our AVA Map Explorer.
- March 24, 2025
TTB Proposes Champlain Valley of Vermont Viticultural Area
In a proposed rule published on March 24, 2026, TTB proposes to establish the “Champlain Valley of Vermont” American viticultural area (AVA). We designate AVAs to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. You may electronically submit comments on this proposal using the comment form posted within Docket No. TTB–2026–0002 on the Regulations.gov website. Comments on this AVA proposal are due to TTB by May 26, 2026. You also may view the boundaries of the proposed AVA on our AVA Map Explorer.
- March 24, 2026
TTB Establishes New AVAs in Massachusetts and Tennessee
In two final rules published in the Federal Register on March 24, 2026, TTB establishes the “Nashoba Valley” American viticultural area (AVA) in Worcester County, Massachusetts, and the “Nine Lakes of East Tennessee” AVA in northeastern Tennessee. Neither AVA is located within, nor do they contain, any existing AVA. We designate AVAs to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. Both final rules are effective on April 23, 2026.
-
See All Regulations and Guidance
Featured
- ## TTB Boot Camp Videos
TTB Boot Camp Video Series
- ## TTB Video
CBMA Video Series
- ## TTB Labeling
Anatomy of Malt Beverage Labels
Doing Business Online
Can’t Find What You Need?
Related changes
Get daily alerts for US TTB Rulings
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from TTB.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when US TTB Rulings publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.