Feds extend public comment period on new Sonoma Coast wine region

Public comment extended for proposed appellation

The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has extended the comment period for a proposed wine appellation for Sonoma County on the western part of the coast.

Comments for the West Sonoma Coast appellation are now due by April 15, the agency said last week. The new appellation would encompass 141,846 acres and be located within the Sonoma Coast and Fort Ross-Seaview viticultural areas.

The federal agency said it had two requests to extend the deadline: one from Lester Schwartz of the Fort Ross Vineyard and another from Daniel and Marion Schoenfeld of Wild Hog Vineyard in Cazadero.

In response to the requests, the agency extended the comment period for another 60 days.

Bill seeks to make federal tax credits permanent

Lawmakers have introduced legislation that would make permanent provisions for wineries, breweries and distilleries that were included in the massive 2017 federal tax cut. The items are scheduled to expire at the end of the year if not renewed.

Ron Kind, D-Wisconsin, and Mike Kelly, R-Pennsylvania, are sponsors of the legislation. A Senate version has been authored by Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, and Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri.

The 2017 law applied an excise tax credit to all wineries, allowing up to a maximum tax credit of $451,700 annually. The tax credit also was applied to sparkling wine for the first time, and allowed wines with higher alcohol levels - up to 16 percent by volume - to be taxed at the lowest rate allowed by the tax credit.

“This legislation has allowed wineries across America - including 4,800 in California - to reinvest in their businesses by hiring new employees, expanding facilities and buying new equipment. However, the full potential of these benefits will not be felt until they are made permanent,” said Robert “Bobby” Koch, president and CEO of the Wine Institute, which represents California wineries.

Stag’s Leap District celebrates 30th anniversary

Wineries in the Stag’s Leap District American Viticulture Area will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the appellation, which is being recognized by the federal government in late April.

The events will be held at various locations in the Napa Valley from April 26 to April 28. They include rare library selections, dinners and lunches, and in-depth education courses. They are sponsored by the Stags Leap District Winegrowers trade group.

The celebration is limited to ?200 guests and tickets cost $895 per person.

For more information contact the winegrowers at stagsleapdistrict.com/V2V.

Compiled by Bill Swindell. Submit items to bill.swindell@pressdemocrat.com.