U.S. Wine Label Compliance Guide (TTB-Regulated)

Mandatory Wine Label Requirements

According to 27 CFR Part 4, the following elements must be included on a wine label:

1. Brand Name

• The name under which the wine is marketed.
• Must be on the front label (Principal Display Panel – PDP).
• If no brand name, the bottler’s name is used as the default.
  
  

2. Class or Type Designation

• Identifies the wine’s category (e.g., Red Table Wine, Sparkling Wine, Dessert Wine, or a varietal like Cabernet Sauvignon).
• Must conform to one of the recognized classes/types per TTB definitions.
  
  

3. Alcohol Content (ABV)

• Declared as a percentage (e.g., “13.5% Alc. by Vol.”).
• Can be:
• “Table wine” (7–14% ABV) or
• “Dessert wine” (over 14% ABV)
• If stated, must be within 1.5% (for wines under 14%) or 1% (for wines over 14%) of actual alcohol.
  
  

4. Net Contents

• Stated in metric units (e.g., “750 mL” or “1.5 L”).
• Typically embossed or printed on the bottle or label.
  
  

5. Name and Address of Bottler or Importer

• Format: “Bottled by ABC Winery, Napa, CA”
• If imported: “Imported by XYZ Imports, New York, NY”
• If produced & bottled by: “Produced and Bottled by...”
• Must include city and state.
  
  

6. Government Health Warning

Mandatory for all wines containing ≥0.5% ABV:

vbnetCopyEditGOVERNMENT WARNING:(1) According to the Surgeon General, women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects.(2) Consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems.

7. Sulfite Declaration

• If wine contains 10 parts per million (ppm) or more of sulfur dioxide, label must state:
• “Contains Sulfites”
• If no sulfites, you must get TTB exemption.
  
  

8. Declaration of Coloring or Flavor Additives

• If wine contains any artificial coloring/flavoring (e.g., FD&C colors), it must be declared.
• Example: “Contains Artificial Color” or “Flavored with Natural Raspberry Flavor”.
  
  

9. Country of Origin (If Imported)

• Example: “Product of France” or “Wine of Chile”.
  
  

10. Appellation of Origin (Optional but Regulated)

• If you list geographic origin (e.g., "Napa Valley"), the wine must:
• Contain at least 85% grapes from that region
• Be fully finished in that state or country
• If vintage or varietal is listed, origin is mandatory.

Optional but Common Label Elements

Label Placement & COLA (Certificate of Label Approval)

• You must obtain COLA from TTB before selling.
• Front Label (PDP): Brand name, class/type, alcohol, volume
• Back Label: Govt warning, sulfite notice, bottler/importer info, barcode, etc.

Submit labels through TTB COLAs Online.

Layout Example for 750mL Wine Bottle

Front Label Includes:

• Brand Name (e.g., “Golden Hill Vineyards”)
• Type/Varietal (e.g., “Pinot Noir”)
• Vintage (e.g., “2022”)
• Appellation (e.g., “Russian River Valley”)
• Alcohol Content
• Net Contents (750 mL)
  
  

Back Label Includes:

• Government Warning
• Sulfite Statement
• Produced and Bottled By (Winery Name & Address)
• Optional: Food pairings, sustainability, tasting notes, QR code
  
  

Wine Label Compliance Checklist

Contact us for more details, 888-958-5611.