SALEM, Ore., Nov. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Rep.
David Gomberg (D-Otis) and Willamette Valley Vineyards' Founder
Jim Bernau are lauding a decision
made last week by the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade
Bureau (TTB) that requires labeling changes be made to wines
produced in California but labeled
as Oregon wines.
"The verdict is in – Elouan and The Willametter wines are
deceptively labeled," Gomberg said. "The rapid response from the
TTB is appreciated and they have more to do."
The TTB has required producer Joe
Wagner of Copper Cane to surrender nine federally approved
labels.
Gomberg, the chair of the Oregon House Economic Development and
Trade Committee, has led the legislative effort for truth in
labeling Oregon wine since he
discovered a California winery
portraying their wines as being from Oregon's prized, federally designated growing
regions. He also worked with wine industry leaders, including
Jim Bernau, Founder/CEO of
Willamette Valley Vineyards, to access damages done to winegrowers
in Southern Oregon whose contracts
were cancelled by Copper Cane in late September.
In a release issued on November
19th, Gomberg said "this is consumer fraud, pure
and simple, and I am glad the federal agency has caught it."
He also cautioned retailers and restaurants from selling these
wines as they could expose resellers to violations of state
Unlawful Trade Practice laws.
Gomberg is questioning the "use-up" of current labeled wine the
TTB is allowing. A "use-up" allows the offender to sell what they
have already bottled and labeled.
"While I applaud the TTB for taking action against these
deceptive labels, they should reverse their decision allowing
nearly 900,000 more wine bottles be sold into the market," Gomberg
added.
"Oregon's valuable American
Viticultural Designations will continue to be denigrated for at
least three years given the number of bottles they are allowing to
be sold," he explained. "That's more than the annual production of
15 typical Oregon wineries
producing 5,000-6,000 cases annually."
Gomberg argued the TTB does not owe Joe
Wagner a "use-up" allowance as the federal label reviewers
were misled in previously approving Wagner's applications.
Further, Gomberg is questioning if these wines can legally
advertise they are Oregon wines.
"Elouan and The Willametter Journal look and taste like they
have an additive in them that is legal to use in California but not in Oregon wines."
Often referred to in the wine trade as Lodi Pinots, mass
produced Pinot Noirs in California
are often dyed with an additive called Mega
Purple, concentrated from a grape variety called Rubired,
making them appear darker in color and thicker in taste. Gomberg
fears this illegal additive could give wine consumers a false
impression of the delicate, award-winning style of cool climate
Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley AVA.
"I am hoping we learn something soon from the product integrity
audits the TTB is conducting at the various plants that manufacture
these wines," Gomberg stated, "If these wines have any California grape additives, they should be
recalled and Oregon removed from
their labels."
Gomberg will ask the Oregon Legislature to take up the issue in
January if the TTB is unable to resolve the issues by then. He has
filed a consumer complaint with Oregon Department of Justice and
the Oregon Liquor Control Commission for state action against this
fraudulent behavior.
Links to additional sources on Gomberg's statements may be found
below:
The Oregonian
"Feds shut down controversial
Elouan wine labels"
https://www.oregonlive.com/wine/index.ssf/2018/11/feds_lower_boom_on_controversi.html
Mail Tribune
"Feds tell California winery it can't use Oregon on its labels"
http://mailtribune.com/news/top-stories/feds-tell-california-winery-it-cant-use-oregon-on-its-labels
Portland Business Journal
"Oregon wine industry scores labeling victory
over Napa Valley
nemesis"
https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/11/20/oregon-wine-industry-scores-labeling-victory-over.html
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SOURCE Willamette Valley Vineyards