Truth in Wine Label Bill Clears 1st Test

American Wine Truth in Labeling legislation cleared its first California Assembly committee hearing on an 18-0 bipartisan vote. 

The bill would require that any wine labeled “American” be made from 100% American-grown winegrapes. This standard aligns the national designation with the same requirement California has long applied to wines labeled “California.”

“Today’s vote is an important first step toward ensuring that when a bottle says ‘American,’ it means American,” said Natalie Collins, President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers. “California’s wine community has invested significantly in building the American wine brand, and we are grateful the committee recognized what is at stake, for growers, wineries, communities, and the consumers who trust what’s on the label. This effort has been strengthened by a clear and unified voice across the industry. We thank the committee for its leadership and look forward to advancing this bill.”