Wine Labeling: Name and Address

The name and address statement provides the name and address of the importer or the bottler of the wine, as applicable.

For American wine, the name and address statement generally consists of the name of the bottler or packer and the address (city and state), as shown on the basic permit. It is preceded by the phrase “Bottled by” or “Packed by,” as appropriate.

For imported wine, the name and address generally consists of the name of the importer and the address of the importer’s principal place of business, as shown on the basic permit.  It is preceded by the phrase “Imported by.”

There are also optional terms that can be used if desired, such as “Produced by,” “Vinted by,” etc. These terms in the name and address statement may be used to further describe the activity that took place at that location. See optional terms.

On the example label above, “Produced and Bottled by Lighthouse Vintners, Kingston, NY” is the bottler’s 
name and address statement. In this example, it is located on the back label. “Bottled by” is a 
required part of the statement, while “Produced and” is optional.

Where should the name and address statement be placed on the product?

It may appear on any label of the container.

What are the formatting requirements for the required name and address statement?

For American wine:

The name and address of the bottler or packer must appear on the label, preceded by the phrase “bottled by” or “packed by.”

For imported wine:

For all imported wines, the name and address of the importer, agent, sole distributor, or other person responsible for the importation must appear on the label, preceded by the phrase “imported by” or a similar appropriate phrase (such as “Sole U.S. Agent”).  Depending on where the wine was bottled or packed, additional information may also be required:

• Bottled/packed in the country of origin: If the wine is bottled or packed in its country of origin, the “imported by” statement is sufficient.
• Bottled/packed in the United States: If the wine is bottled or packed in the United States after importation, in addition to the “imported by” statement, one of the following statements must appear on the label:   
• The name and address of the bottler or packer (preceded by “bottled (or packed) by”; or
• If the wine was bottled or packed for the person responsible for the importation, the words “imported by and bottled (packed) in the United States for” (or a similar phrase), followed by the name and address of the principal place of business of the person responsible for the importation; or
• If the wine was bottled or packed by the person responsible for the importation, the words “imported and bottled (packed) by”, followed by the name and address of the principal place of business in the United States of the person responsible for the importation. 
• Blended/bottled/packed in a foreign country other than the country of origin: If the wine was blended, bottled, or packed in a foreign country other than the country of origin and the label identifies the country of origin, in addition to the “imported by” statement, the label shall also state “blended by,” “bottled by,” or “packed by,” or some other appropriate statement, followed by the name of the blender, bottler, or packer and the place where the wine was blended, bottled, or packed.

TYPE SIZE:

• Minimum 2 mm for containers larger than 187 mL,

OR

• Minimum 1 mm for containers of 187 mL or less.

Note:  The name and address statement is not required to be in all capital letters; however, the minimum type size applies to each numeral or letter in the statement, including both upper-case and lower-case letters.

LEGIBILITY:

• Must be readily legible under ordinary conditions;
• Must appear on a contrasting background; and
• Must appear separate and apart from, or be substantially more conspicuous than, descriptive or explanatory information.

What rules apply to the name used in the statement?

The trade or operating name of any person appearing on any label must be identical to a name appearing on the basic permit or other qualifying document.

What rules apply to the address used in the statement?

The address of a bottler or other wine premises shown on the label is the place where the operation occurred.  This means the post office address shown on the basic permit or other qualifying document of the premises at which the operations took place.  The street address and zip code may be omitted.  The city and state are required. 

The label must show the address of each operation that is designated on the label. 

Example:  “Produced at Gilroy, California, and bottled at San Mateo, California, by XYZ Winery.” 

No additional places or addresses shall be stated for the same person unless:

• Such person is actively engaged in the conduct of an additional bona fide and actual alcohol beverage business at such additional place or address; and
• The label also contains in direct conjunction therewith appropriate descriptive material indicating the function occurring at such additional place or address in connection with the particular product. 

In the case of an importer, the address shown on the label is the city and State of the principal place of business of the importer (or other persons responsible for the importation) in the United States, as shown on the basic permit.

What is the difference between “bottled by” and “packed by”?

“Bottled By (or For)” refers to wine placed in containers of 4 liters or less.

“Packed By (or For)” refers to wine placed in containers of more than 4 liters.

What are the optional name and address statements?

Optional name and address statements may appear in addition to (but not in lieu of) the required name and address statement.  Optional name and address statements can indicate:

• The name and address of the wine premises proprietor that produced, made, blended, cellared, vinted, or prepared the wine.
• The name or name and address of the person for whom the wine was produced, made, blended, etc., and/or bottled (or packed).
• The name or name and address of the principal place of business of the foreign wine producer.
  
   
• The name or name and address of the person for whom the wine was imported or imported and bottled (or packed).

All name and address statements, whether required or optional, must be preceded by an appropriate explanatory phrase. 

What explanatory phrases may be used in the optional statements for American wine, and what activities do they describe?

For American wine, the following explanatory phrases may be used:

*See Cellar Treatment, in Wine Beverage Alcohol Manual

How should optional statements for American wines be phrased?

If the named proprietor bottled or packed, and, at the same address, produced, made, blended, cellared, vinted, or prepared the wine, the required name and address of the bottler (or packer) must be preceded by “Bottled (or Packed) by” and may also be preceded by an explanatory phrase that references the specific wine making operation.

Example: “Produced and Bottled By” or “Made and Packed By”

However, if the defined operation was performed by a person other than the bottler or packer, more than one name is necessary. 

Example:  “Produced By ABC Winery and Bottled By XYZ Winery in Gilroy, California.”

If the defined operation was performed at a different address, more than one address is necessary. 

Example:  “Produced at Gilroy, California, and Bottled at San Mateo, California, By ABC Winery”; or

“Produced at Gilroy, California, by Abc Winery and Bottled at San Mateo, California, by XYZ Winery.”

The optional name or name and address of the person for whom the wine was produced, made, blended, etc., and/or bottled (or packed) must be preceded by an appropriate explanatory phrase.

Example: “Vinted and bottled for” or “Packed for”

What explanatory phrases may be used for imported wine, and what are the requirements for their use?

If an optional name or name and address of the foreign wine producer appears on the label, it may be preceded by an appropriate explanatory phrase identifying the specific wine making operation. The specific term or phrase used (e.g., “Produced By”) must be used in accordance with the requirements of the country of origin for wine sold within the country of origin.

If an optional name or name and address of the person for whom the wine was imported or imported and bottled (or packed) appears on the label, it must be preceded by an appropriate explanatory phrase.

Example: “Imported for” or “Imported and bottled for”