TTB proposes two new Texas viticultural areas
Wineries in 12 Texas counties must comment by Oct. 13, 2026 on the Llano Uplift and Hickory Sands District AVAs
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish the 2,096-square mile "Llano Uplift" American Viticultural Area (AVA) and the 193-square mile "Hickory Sands District" AVA in Texas. If finalized, the designations will apply to any winery or vineyard that labels wine as originating from those areas.
The proposed Llano Uplift AVA would cover portions of Blanco, Burnet, Gillespie, Llano, Mason, McCulloch and San Saba Counties and would fully contain the existing Bell Mountain AVA. The petition cites 12 commercial vineyards covering 294 acres and 14 wineries within the proposed boundary.
The Hickory Sands District AVA would lie entirely within the proposed Llano Uplift AVA and within the existing Texas Hill Country AVA, encompassing parts of Llano, Mason, McCulloch and San Saba Counties. The notice does not provide separate vineyard or winery counts for this district.
Comments must be received on or before October 13, 2026. Submissions are to be filed electronically through Docket No. TTB-2026-0005 on Regulations.gov or mailed to the Director, Regulations and Ruling Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 1310 G Street NW, Box 12, Washington, DC 20005. The notice is identified as FR Doc No. 2026-16670, published in Federal Register Volume 91, Number 156, pages 52576-52588.
The TTB explains that AVA designations enable vintners to more accurately describe the geographic origin of their wines and help consumers identify wines they may purchase. The agency is seeking public input on the proposed boundaries, name usage, and distinguishing features before taking final action.