California grape growers are pushing for stricter labeling rules, arguing that wine labeled “American” should be made entirely from American-grown grapes.
But the proposal recently hit a roadblock at the State Capitol.
Right now, wine labeled “American” may not be entirely American-made. Federal standards allow up to 25% of wine with an “American” label to come from imported bulk wine.
Now, local grape growers are backing a bill that would require those wines to be made with 100% American-grown grapes.
“People go out of their way to buy American. Let’s give them 100% American,” said Brandon Sywassink, general manager of Manna Ranch.
Sywassink is all-American, and he wants wine labels to say the same.
“Beef has to be — if it’s labeled as American — the cow has to be born here, has to be raised here, has to be butchered here, right?” Sywassink said. “We want the same thing to kind of go for us.”
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