Proposed Viticultural Area: Champlain Valley of Vermont

Content

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY:

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the approximately 1,035,104-acre “Champlain Valley
of Vermont” American viticultural area in western Vermont. The proposed viticultural area is not within, nor does it contain,
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.

DATES:

Comments must be received by May 26, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

You may electronically submit comments to TTB on this proposal using the comment form for this document posted within Docket
No. TTB-2026-0002 on the Regulations.gov website at https://www.regulations.gov. At the same location, you also may view copies of this document, the related petition and selected supporting materials, and
any comments TTB receives on this proposal. A direct link to that docket is available on the TTB website at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/notices-of-proposed-rulemaking under Notice No. 240. Alternatively, you may submit comments via postal mail to the Director, Regulations and Ruling Division,
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington, DC 20005. Please see the Public Participation
section of this document for further information on the comments requested on this proposal and on the submission, confidentiality,
and public disclosure of comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karen A. Thornton, Regulations and Rulings Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington,
DC 20005; phone 202-453-1039, ext. 175.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(4), a summary of this proposal may be found at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/TTB-2026-0002.

Background on Viticultural Areas

TTB Authority

Section 105(e) of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act), 27 U.S.C. 205(e), authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury
to prescribe regulations for the labeling of wine, distilled spirits, and malt beverages. The FAA Act provides that these
regulations should, among other things, prohibit consumer deception and the use of misleading statements on labels and ensure
that labels provide the consumer with adequate information as to the identity and quality of the product. The Alcohol and
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) administers the FAA Act pursuant to section 1111(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002,
codified at 6 U.S.C. 531(d). In addition, the Secretary of the Treasury has delegated certain administrative and enforcement
authorities to TTB through Treasury Order 120-01.

Part 4 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 4) authorizes TTB to establish definitive viticultural areas and regulate the use
of their names as appellations of origin on wine labels and in wine advertisements. Part 9 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR
part 9) sets forth standards for the preparation and submission of petitions for the establishment or modification of American
viticultural areas (AVAs) and lists the approved AVAs.

Definition

Section 4.25(e)(1)(i) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(1)(i)) defines a viticultural area for American wine as a delimited
grape-growing region having distinguishing features as described in part 9 of the regulations and, once approved, a name and
a delineated boundary codified in part 9 of the regulations. These designations allow vintners and consumers to attribute
a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic of a wine made from grapes grown in an area to the wine's geographic
origin. The establishment of AVAs allows vintners to describe more accurately the origin of their wines to consumers and helps
consumers to identify wines they may purchase. Establishment of an AVA is neither an approval nor an endorsement by TTB of
the wine produced in that area.

Requirements

Section 4.25(e)(2) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(2)) outlines the procedure for proposing an AVA and allows any interested
party to petition TTB to establish a grape-growing region as an AVA. Section 9.12 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 9.12) prescribes
standards for petitions to establish or modify AVAs. Petitions to establish an AVA must include the following:

• Evidence that the area within the proposed AVA boundary is nationally or locally known by the AVA name specified in the petition;
• An explanation of the basis for defining the boundary of the proposed AVA;
• A narrative description of the features of the proposed AVA affecting viticulture, such as climate, geology, soils, physical features, and elevation, that make the proposed AVA distinctive and distinguish it from adjacent areas outside the proposed AVA;
• The appropriate United States Geological Survey (USGS) map(s) showing the location of the proposed AVA, with the boundary of the proposed AVA clearly drawn thereon; and
• A detailed narrative description of the proposed AVA boundary based on USGS map markings.

Champlain Valley of Vermont Petition

TTB received a petition from Kenneth Albert, president of the Vermont Grape and Wine Council, proposing the

  establishment of the “Champlain Valley of Vermont” AVA. The proposed AVA is located in western Vermont along the shore of
  Lake Champlain and contains approximately 1,035,104 acres. The proposed AVA covers all or parts of the following Vermont counties:
  Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Rutland. There are currently 27 vineyards covering a total of approximately
  120 acres within the proposed AVA. According to the petition, the primary distinguishing feature of the proposed Champlain
  Valley of Vermont AVA is its climate. Unless otherwise noted, all information and data pertaining to the proposed AVA is from
  the petition and its supporting exhibits.

Name Evidence

The proposed Champlain Valley of Vermont AVA takes its name from Lake Champlain, which forms the western boundary of the proposed
AVA. The lake was named by European explorer Samuel de Champlain, who explored the region in the early 1600s. According to
the petition, the region was known as “Lac Champlain” or “La vallée du lac Champlain” until the land came under English control
in 1763 and became known by the English names, “Lake Champlain” and “Champlain Valley.”

The petition provided multiple examples of the use of “Champlain Valley” to describe the region of the proposed AVA. For example,
the proposed AVA is located within the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, established by Congress in the Champlain
Valley Heritage Partnership Act of 2006. A Vermont tourism website invites readers to “[v]isit the Champlain Valley Region
of northwestern Vermont—comprised of Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle counties.” (1) TTB notes that all or portions of these four counties are included in the proposed AVA. The website for Four Seasons Sotheby's
International Realty has a web page for the “Champlain Valley region in northwestern Vermont,” (2) which features homes for sale in several cities within the proposed AVA. The Champlain Valley Exposition is an event facility
in Essex Junction, which is within the proposed AVA. The Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Champlain Valley
School District, and Champlain Valley Union High School all serve residents within the proposed AVA. Businesses within the
proposed AVA include Champlain Valley Equipment, Champlain Valley Apiaries, Champlain Valley Creamery, and Champlain Valley
Crossfit.

Boundary Evidence

The proposed Champlain Valley of Vermont AVA is a long, narrow region located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain from
the U.S.-Canada border to Lake St. Catherine, in Rutland County, and includes the islands within the Vermont portion of Lake
Champlain. The proposed northern boundary follows the U.S.-Canada border to the New York-Vermont State line. The western boundary
follows the New York-Vermont State line through Lake Champlain to a point west of Lake St. Catherine. The very short southern
boundary follows a road around the southern tip of Lake St. Catherine to that lake's eastern shore. The proposed eastern boundary
follows a series of roads to return to the U.S.-Canada border and to approximate the easternmost limit of Lake Champlain's
effects on the climate.

Distinguishing Features

According to the petition, the primary distinguishing feature of the proposed Champlain Valley of Vermont AVA is its climate.
The petition states that Lake Champlain exerts a moderating effect on the climate of the proposed AVA. Although temperatures
within the proposed AVA are generally more moderate than in the surrounding regions away from the lake, winter temperatures
can still drop to 15 to 20 degrees below zero (in Fahrenheit). Due to the cold winter temperatures, vineyard owners within
the proposed AVA principally grow cold-hardy grape hybrids developed by the University of Minnesota, including Louise Swenson;
La Crescent; Marquette; and Frontenac Gris, Blanc, and Noir.

The petition includes information on the first and last freeze dates, growing degree day (3) (GDD) accumulations, and precipitation amounts for locations within the proposed AVA and the surrounding regions. However,
the precipitation data does not show a significant difference between the proposed AVA and the region to the east, which was
the only included location outside the proposed AVA. (4) As a result, TTB does not consider precipitation to be a distinguishing feature of the proposed AVA. All data was collected
using National Weather Service 1991-2020 climate normals. Data was not included from the region north of the proposed AVA
because that region is in Canada and is therefore not eligible for inclusion in an AVA.

Freeze Dates

According to the petition, Lake Champlain releases stored heat during the fall, moderating temperatures in the areas surrounding
it and preventing early first-freeze dates. The petition goes on to say that the moderating effect of the lake results in
a growing season (marked by the first fall frost date and the last spring frost date) that averages 2.5 weeks longer within
the proposed AVA than regions in the Green Mountains to the east.

The petition states that first-freeze dates in the fall for the proposed AVA usually occur during the first week in October,
while locations east of the proposed AVA, farther from the lake, typically experience a first freeze during the last week
of September. The following table shows the median first-freeze dates for the proposed AVA and surrounding regions. The data
shows that the location east of the proposed AVA has the earliest first-freeze date and the New York locations, which are
both located within the established Champlain Valley of New York AVA (27 CFR 9.258), have first-freeze dates similar to those
of the proposed AVA. Within the proposed AVA, the South Hero location has the latest first-freeze date due to its location
on an island within Lake Champlain.

| Location
(direction from proposed AVA) | First-freeze date |
| --- | --- |
| Burlington, VT (within center of proposed AVA) | October 8. |
| Cornwall, VT (within southern portion of proposed AVA) | October 5. |
| Essex Junction (within center of proposed AVA) | October 4. |
| South Hero, VT (within northwest portion of proposed AVA) | October 19. |
| Enosburg Falls, VT (east) | September 29. |
| Peru, NY (west) | October 5. |
| Plattsburg, NY (west) | October 7. |
The petition also states that in the spring, proximity to the waters of the lake contribute to earlier last-freeze dates within
the proposed AVA. The following table shows the median last-freeze dates for the proposed AVA and surrounding regions. The
data shows that the Burlington and South Hero locations, within the proposed AVA, have earlier last-freeze dates than the
surrounding regions farther from the lake. The two New York locations, west of the proposed AVA and within the Adirondack
Mountains, have significantly later last-freeze dates than the proposed AVA, as do the Mt. Mansfield and Island Pond locations,
both located in the Green Mountains of Vermont to the east of the proposed AVA.

| Location
(direction from proposed AVA) | Last-freeze date |
| --- | --- |
| Burlington (within center of proposed AVA) | May 3. |
| South Hero (within northwest portion of proposed AVA) | April 27. |
| Mt. Mansfield, VT (east) | May 29. |
| Island Pond, VT (east) | May 26. |
| Rutland, VT (southeast) | May 15. |
| Montpelier, VT (east) | May 14. |
| St. Johnsbury, VT (east) | May 14. |
| Springfield, VT (east) | May 13. |
| Massena, NY (west) | May 8. |
| Saranac Lake, NY (west) | June 4. |
| Tupper Lake, NY (west) | May 20. |

Growing Degree Days

The petition states that growing degree days are a measure of heat accumulation vineyard owners use to predict plant development
rates, such as bloom and harvest dates. The following table shows the average annual GDD accumulations for locations within
the proposed Champlain Valley of Vermont AVA and surrounding regions. The data shows each of the four locations within the
proposed AVA have greater GDD accumulations than the regions to the east and southeast. The locations in the northwest and
southern portions of the proposed AVA have GDD accumulations that are greater than any of the locations outside the proposed
AVA. The Burlington location has the fewest GDD accumulations within the proposed AVA but is still greater than the regions
to the east and southeast of the proposed AVA. The greater GDD accumulations suggest generally warmer temperatures within
the proposed AVA than in the surrounding regions.

| Location
(direction from proposed AVA) | Average annual GDD
accumulations |
| --- | --- |
| St. Albans, VT (within northwest corner of proposed AVA) | 2,603 |
| Burlington, VT (within center of proposed AVA) | 2,272 |
| Essex Junction, VT (within eastern portion of proposed AVA) | 2,394 |
| Cornwall, VT (within southern portion of proposed AVA) | 2,480 |
| Montpelier, VT (east) | 1,967 |
| Rutland, VT (southeast) | 2,220 |
| Bennington, VT (south) | 2,443 |

TTB Determination

TTB concludes that the petition to establish the proposed Champlain Valley of Vermont AVA merits consideration and public
comment, as invited in this notice of proposed rulemaking.

Boundary Description

See the narrative description of the boundary of the petitioned-for AVA in the proposed regulatory text published at the end
of this proposed rule.

Maps

The petitioner provided the required maps, and TTB lists them below in the proposed regulatory text. You may also view the
proposed Champlain Valley of Vermont AVA boundary on the AVA Map Explorer on the TTB website, at https://www.ttb.gov/wine/ava-map-explorer.

Impact on Current Wine Labels

Part 4 of the TTB regulations prohibits any label reference on a wine that indicates or implies an origin other than the wine's
true place of origin. For a wine to be labeled with an AVA name, at least 85 percent of the wine must be derived from grapes
grown within the area represented by that name, and the wine must meet the other conditions listed in § 4.25(e)(3) of the
TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(3)). If the wine is not eligible for labeling with an AVA name and that name appears in the
brand name, then the label is not in compliance and the bottler must change the brand name and obtain approval of a new label.
Similarly, if the AVA name appears in another reference on the label in a misleading manner, the bottler would have to obtain
approval of a new label. Different rules apply if a wine has a brand name containing an AVA name that was used as a brand
name on a label approved before July 7, 1986. See § 4.39(i)(2) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.39(i)(2)) for details.

If TTB establishes this proposed AVA, its name, “Champlain Valley of Vermont,” will be recognized as a name of viticultural
significance under § 4.39(i)(3) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.39(i)(3)). The text of the proposed regulation clarifies
this point. Consequently, wine bottlers using the name “Champlain Valley of Vermont” in a brand name, including a trademark,
or in another label reference as to the origin of the wine, would have to ensure that the product is eligible to use the AVA
name as an appellation of origin if TTB adopts this proposed rule as a final rule. TTB is not proposing to designate the phrase
“Champlain Valley,” standing alone, as a term of viticultural significance because the feature known as the Champlain Valley
extends into New York and includes the established Champlain Valley of New York AVA.

Public Participation

Comments Invited

TTB invites comments from interested members of the public on whether it should establish the proposed Champlain Valley of
Vermont AVA. TTB is also interested in receiving comments on the sufficiency and accuracy of required information submitted
in support of the petition. Please provide specific information in support of your comments.

Because of the potential impact of the establishment of the proposed Champlain Valley of Vermont AVA on wine labels that include
the term “Champlain Valley of Vermont” as discussed above under Impact on Current Wine Labels, TTB is particularly interested
in comments regarding whether there will be a conflict between the proposed AVA name and currently used brand names. If a
commenter believes that a conflict will arise, the comment should describe the nature of that conflict, including any anticipated
negative economic impact that approval of the proposed AVA will have on an existing viticultural enterprise. TTB is also interested
in receiving suggestions for ways to avoid conflicts, for example, by adopting a modified or different name for the proposed
AVA.

Submitting Comments

You may submit comments on this proposal as an individual or on behalf of a business or other organization via the Regulations.gov website or via postal mail, as described in the
ADDRESSES
section of this document. Your comment must reference Notice No. 240 and must be submitted or postmarked by the closing date
shown in the
DATES
section of this document. You may upload or include attachments with your comment. You also may submit a comment requesting
a public hearing on this proposal. The TTB Administrator reserves the right to determine whether to hold a public hearing.

Confidentiality and Disclosure of Comments

All submitted comments and attachments are part of the rulemaking record and are subject to public disclosure. Do not enclose
any material in your comments that you consider confidential or that is inappropriate for disclosure.

TTB will post, and you may view, copies of this document, the related petition, supporting materials, and any comments TTB
receives about this proposal within the related Regulations.gov docket. In general, TTB will post comments as submitted, and it will not redact any identifying or contact information from
the body of a comment or attachment.

Please contact TTB's Regulations and Rulings division by email using the web form available at https://www.ttb.gov/contact-rrd, or by telephone at 202-453-2265, if you have any questions about commenting on this proposal or to request copies of this
document, its supporting materials, or the comments received.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

TTB certifies that this proposed regulation, if adopted, would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number
of small entities. The proposed regulation imposes no new reporting, recordkeeping, or other administrative requirement. Any
benefit derived from the use of a viticultural area name would be the result of a proprietor's efforts and consumer acceptance
of wines from that area. Therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required.

Executive Order 12866

It has been determined that this proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866,
as amended. Therefore, no regulatory assessment is required.

List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9

Wine.

Proposed Regulatory Amendment

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, TTB proposes to amend title 27, chapter I, part 9, Code of Federal Regulations,
as follows:

PART 9—AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREAS

1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows:

Authority:

27 U.S.C. 205.

Subpart C—Approved American Viticultural Areas

1. Subpart C is amended by adding § 9.___  to read as follows:

§ 9.___ Champlain Valley of Vermont. (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this section is “Champlain Valley of Vermont”. For purposes of part 4 of this
chapter, “Champlain Valley of Vermont” is a term of viticultural significance.

(b) Approved maps. The six United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1:100,000 scale topographic maps used to determine the boundary of the Champlain
Valley of Vermont viticultural area are:

(1) Lake Champlain North, New York-Vermont, 1986;

(2) Mount Mansfield, Vermont, 1989;

(3) Montpelier, Vermont-New Hampshire, 1988;

(4) Lake Champlain South, New York-Vermont, 1986;

(5) Glens Falls, New York-Vermont, 1989; and

(6) Ticonderoga, New York-Vermont, 1989.

(c) Boundary. The Champlain Valley of New York viticultural area is located in northwestern Vermont and includes all or portions of the
following counties: Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, and Rutland. The boundary of the viticultural area is as described
as follows:

(1) The beginning point is on the Lake Champlain North map at the intersection of the Grand Isle County line and the United
States-Canada border. From the beginning point, proceed east along the United States-Canada border for 23 miles, crossing
onto the Mount Mansfield map, to its intersection with State Route 108 in Franklin County; then

(2) Proceed south on State Route 108 for 1.4 miles to its intersection with State Route 120; then

(3) Proceed west on State Route 120 for 0.6 miles to its intersection with State Route 236; then

(4) Proceed southerly on State Route 236 for 6.2 miles to its intersection with State Route 105; then

(5) Proceed west on State Route 105 for 13.1 miles, crossing back onto the Lake Champlain North map, to the road's intersection
with State Route 104 near St. Albans; then

(6) Proceed south on State Route 104 for 2.5 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as St. Albans State
Highway; then

(7) Proceed east on St. Albans State Highway for 0.1 mile to its intersection with I-89; then

(8) Proceed south on I-89 for 7.2 miles to its intersection with U.S. Highway 7; then

(9) Proceed south on U.S. Highway 7 for 0.5 mile to its intersection with State Route 104A; then

(10) Proceed east on State Route 104A for 4.5 miles to intersection with State Route 104; then

(11) Proceed southeasterly on State Route 104 for 8.8 miles, crossing back onto the Mount Mansfield map, to its intersection
with State Route 15 west of Cambridge; then

(12) Proceed south on State Route 15 south for 10.7 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Browns
Trace Road, southwest of Riverside; then

(13) Proceed south on Browns Trace Road for 8.3 miles, crossing onto the Montpelier map, to the road's intersection with an
unnamed road known locally as Huntington Road south of the Winooski River; then

(14) Proceed west on Huntington Road for 4 miles, crossing onto the Lake Champlain South map and back onto the Montpelier
map, to the road's intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Main Road, south of the Huntington River; then

(15) Proceed south on Main Road for 7.2 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Moody Road; then

(16) Proceed southeasterly on Moody Road 0.9 mile to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Carse Road; then

(17) Proceed west on Carse Road for 0.3 mile to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Main Road; then

(18) Proceed south on Main Road for 1.6 miles to the point where it changes names to Gore Road; then

(19) Proceed south on Gore Road for 3.3 miles to its intersection with State Route 17; then

(20) Proceed south, then west on State Route 17 for 6.9 miles, crossing onto the Lake Champlain South map, to the road's intersection
with State Route 116; then

(21) Proceed south on State Route 116 for 8.7 miles, crossing onto the Ticonderoga map, to the road's intersection with U.S.
Highway 7 at East Middlebury; then

(22) Proceed south on U.S. Highway 7 for 19.3 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Fern Lake Road
in Leicester; then

(23) Proceed east on Fern Lake Road for 2.3 miles to its intersection with State Route 53; then

(24) Proceed southeasterly on State Route 53 south for 2.3 miles to its intersection with State Route 73 at Forest Dale; then

(25) Proceed southwest on State Route 73 for 0.5 mile to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as McConnell
Road; then

(26) Proceed south on McConnell Road for 1.5 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as North Birch Hill
Road; then

(27) Proceed southerly on North Birch Hill Road for 0.8 mile to the point where it becomes Birch Hill Road; then

(28) Proceed south on Birch Hill Road for 3.5 miles to the point where it becomes Sugar Hollow Road; then

(29) Proceed south on Sugar Hollow Road for 2.5 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Plains Road,
north of Pittsford; then

(30) Proceed southwest on Plains Road for 0.4 mile to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Pinewoods Road;
then

(31) Proceed west on Pinewoods Road for 0.7 mile to its intersection with U.S. Highway 7; then

(32) Proceed northwesterly on U.S. Highway 7 for 4.9 miles to its intersection with an unnamed creek known locally as Jones
Brook, west of Jones Mill Pond; then

(33) Proceed southwesterly along Jones Brook for 0.65 mile to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Old Brandon
Road; then

(34) Proceed northwest on Old Brandon Road for 0.8 mile to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Nickerson
Road; then

(35) Proceed west on Nickerson Road for 280 feet to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Carver Street;
then

(36) Proceed north on Carver Street for 1 mile to its intersection with U.S. Highway 7 in Brandon; then

(37) Proceed west on U.S. Highway 7 for 0.4 mile to its intersection with State Route 73; then

(38) Proceed west on State Route 73 for 5.9 miles to its intersection with State Route 30; then

(39) Proceed south on State Route 30 for 20 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Hannon Road, north
of Poultney; then

(40) Proceed east on Hannon Road for 0.6 mile to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Lewis Road; then

(41) Proceed southeast on Lewis Road for 1.4 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Hillside Road;
then

(42) Proceed southwest on Hillside Road for 0.5 mile to the point where it becomes Thrall Road; then

(43) Proceed south on Thrall Road for 1.3 miles, crossing onto the Glens Falls map, to the road's intersection with State
Route 30; then

(44) Proceed south on State Route 30 for 0.1 mile to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Old Lake Road;
then

(45) Proceed southeast on Old Lake Road for 0.3 mile to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Tucker Road;
then

(46) Proceed southwest on Tucker Road for 0.2 mile to its intersection with State Route 30; then

(47) Proceed south on State Route 30 for 3.8 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as West Lake Road,
at the southern end of Lake St. Catherine; then

(48) Proceed west, then north on West Lake Road for 1.7 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Bullfrog
Hollow Road; then

(49) Proceed southwest on Bullfrog Hollow Road for 0.7 mile to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as Hilltop
Road; then

(50) Proceed west, then north, then southwest on Hilltop Road for a total of

  1.3 miles to its intersection with State Route 31; then

(51) Proceed north on State Route 31 for 1.3 miles to its intersection with an unnamed road known locally as New Boston Road;
then

(52) Proceed southwesterly on New Boston Road for 0.3 mile to the New York-Vermont State line; then

(53) Proceed north along the New York-Vermont State line for approximately 88 miles, crossing over the Ticonderoga and Lake
Champlain South maps and onto the Lake Champlain North map, returning to the beginning point.

Signed: March 20, 2026. Mary G. Ryan, Administrator. Approved: March 20, 2026. Kenneth J. Kies, Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy. [FR Doc. 2026-05741 Filed 3-23-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810-31-P

Footnotes

(1) https://www.vtliving.com/champlainvalley. Accessed January 17, 2024.

(2) https://www. fourseasonssir.com/region/vt/champlain-valley. Accessed January 17, 2024.

(3) See Albert J. Winkler et al., General Viticulture (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2nd ed.), pages 61-64 (1974). In the Winkler climate classification system, annual
heat accumulation during the growing season, measured in annual GDDs, defines climatic regions. One GDD accumulates for each
degree Fahrenheit (F) that a day's mean temperature is above 50 degrees F, the minimum temperature required for grapevine
growth.

(4) The precipitation data is included in the petition, which can be found in Docket TTB-2026-0002 at www.regulations.gov.

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