• Vineyards in CaliforniaCalifornia vineyard image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  The state of California is the largest producer and distributor of wine in the United States, with 196 million cases sold in the U.S. alone in 1998. California laws that govern bonded wineries concentrate on wine-growing areas, labeling and distribution. These laws are in place for strict quality control in an industry that generates billions of dollars in annual sales.
  
  

Wine-Growing Regions

• A glass of California red winewine and glasses image by John Keith from Fotolia.com
  
  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms approves growing region boundaries called AVAs. These American Vinicultural Areas are listed on individual wine labels to help classify where the grapes were grown. Regionally, 85 percent of the grapes must be grown in the AVA to be labeled as such, but California sets an even higher standard, as 100 percent of the grapes must come from the AVA to be labeled with the name of the AVA.
  
  

Wine Labeling

• There are many wine-labeling restrictions for California winemakers.bottles of wine with blank label image by Albo from Fotolia.com
  
  In addition to AVA regulations, the labeling of the vintage year and varietal are also regulated. Ninety-five percent of the grapes need to be harvested within the year which appears on the label. Seventy-five percent of the grape varietal must be contained in the wine to be labeled as such. The federal government also requires all U.S. wine to carry Surgeon General warnings about excess alcohol consumption and added sulfides.
  
  

Wine Distribution

• Wines packaged for distributioncaissette de 2 bouteilles image by Unclesam from Fotolia.com
  
  As of 2006, all properly permitted California wineries can ship wine out of state directly to consumers, unless the receiving state law forbids it. The wine shipped has a special label indicating that it cannot be sold to minors or intoxicated people. The distribution of wine in California has undergone a recent change. A new law in 2010 allows winemakers to sell their wine in licensed areas away from the winery. This will allow for sale at local festivals and farmers markets and for tasting rooms to open in nearby major cities, like San Francisco. The new law also allows consumers to take home unfinished bottles after tasting.