**BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS**

**Alcohol & Tobacco**

**Office of Alcohol and Tobacco**

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# Rockpile Viticultural Area Established {#rockpile-viticultural-area-established .unnumbered}

*By Nancy Sutton (202) 927-8210*

On February 28, 2002, the Federal Register published a Final Rule that
establishes the Rockpile viticultural area. The rule is to become
effective on April 29, 2002, as 27 CFR Section 9.173.

This 15,400-acre area, located above the 800-foot elevation line, is in
northwest Sonoma County, California. It includes 11 vineyards, with
about 160 acres of planted wine grapes. The area is characterized by its
small rocks, gravel mixed with topsoil, and some outcroppings of larger
rock. The Rockpile name dates back to an 1858 cattle ranch in the area.
In 1911, part of the ranch, 21,000 acres, was converted to a hunting and
sheep-raising operation. The area was renamed "La Roca Monte Rancho," or
the Rocky Peak Ranch in Spanish, but it continued to be referred to as,
simply, Rockpile. With the coming of the Great Depression, much of the
area was subdivided and sold. Today, the Rockpile area is accessible by
the winding, climbing Rockpile Road.

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# Delegation of Authority for Part 251 Published  {#delegation-of-authority-for-part-251-published .unnumbered}

# *By Robert P. Ruhf (202) 927-8210* 

Treasury Decision ATF-474, Delegation of Authority, was published on
March 13, 2002, in the Federal Register. This Final Rule rescinds all
previously delegated authorities of the Director in 27 CFR part 251,
Importation of Distilled Spirits, Wines, and Beer. It places them, as
well as those authorities not previously delegated, with the
"appropriate ATF officer." This action will both simplify determining
which officer is authorized to perform a particular function and lighten
the Bureau's administrative burden. "Appropriate ATF officers" are
specified in the related ATF Delegation Order, ATF Order 1130.12, which
was published concurrently and is available to the public. Through this
instrument, the Director delegates all authorities as appropriate and
specifies those officers who will receive applications, notices, and
other reports, which are not ATF forms.

In addition, T.D. ATF-474 requires that people file documents with the
"appropriate ATF officer" or as instructed by an ATF form required by 27
CFR part 251. Finally, the rule makes conforming changes to regulations
in part 251 and removes those that are obsolete.

# ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="0.71875in" height="0.4583333333333333in"}Federal Reserve Bank Consolidates {#federal-reserve-bank-consolidates .unnumbered}

*By Margaret Nawalaniec (513) 684-3334*

Many ATF regulated establishments must obtain "insurance" coverage in
the form of a bond. While most of these businesses obtain their bond
through a surety company, there are some who choose to obtain
"collateral" security rather than a bond. This form of "insurance" may
be a US Treasury Note or other obligation that is unconditionally
guaranteed for both interest and principle by the United States
Government. Formerly, there were ten Federal Reserve Banks to administer
collateral securities. This changed, however, as of January 14, 2002.
The administration and processing of 31 C.F.R. 225 (formerly Circular
154) collateral services has been consolidated and is now being handled
exclusively by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. This consolidation
will allow the Federal Reserve banking system to provide efficient and

uniform service for companies opening and closing pledged accounts with
United States Treasury Notes, Bills and Bonds. The St. Louis Federal
Reserve Bank will now answer questions and provide all support for 31
C.F.R. 225 collateral services, including obtaining approval for
withdrawals and administering pledge authorization forms.

Please note that the Federal Reserve Bank consolidation of collateral
services will not affect anyone who currently has a Treasury Note, Bill
or Bond in an ATF safekeeping account. Interest will continue to be
directly deposited to the industry member's bank account and the St.
Louis Federal Reserve Bank will still provide accounting statements that
show all information that was formerly provided.

**Winery Compliance Seminars**
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*By Leslie Nelson (202) 927-8410*

During February 25-March 8, 2002, members of the Alcohol Labeling and
Formulation Division and the National Revenue Center along with
representatives of the San Francisco Field Division participated in
Winery Compliance Seminars sponsored by the San Francisco Field
Division. The nine seminars, held in Gilroy, Fresno, Lodi, St. Helena,
and Rohnert Park, were presented to members of the California wine
industry to provide them with a better understanding of the federal
regulations governing the production, distribution, labeling and
exportation of wine.

The presenters discussed a range of topics which included how to
maintain required ATF records and correctly file reports, tax returns,
applications for amendments, applications for label approval and export
forms. Other subjects covered included explanations of applicable tax
rates and credits, mandatory wine label information, the establishment
of American Viticultural Areas and electronic filing of Certificates of
Label Approval.

The seminars were attended by 325 industry members, the majority of whom
offered positive feedback with regard to the subject matter covered
during the presentations as well as expressed the hope that ATF would
offer more such seminars in the future. Overall, the Wine Compliance
Seminars were a positive experience for all involved. They provided ATF
members with a unique opportunity not only to educate a large number of
industry members but also to interact with and learn from them as well.

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Changes in Control/Ownership

*By Robert Adams (513) 684-2791*

Anyone holding a federal basic permit should be aware of the importance
of filing a new application within thirty days of any changes in
**ownership or control** of their business operations. If an application
is not timely filed, the permit is no longer valid.

*Here are some examples of changes in ownership:*

1\. When one entity purchases another entity's business, which holds a
basic permit.

2\. In the case of a general partnership, when a partner is added or
deleted from the general partnership.

3\. If a corporation, reincorporating in another state.

# *Here is an example of a change in control - actual and legal:*

1\. An **actual** change in control of a corporation can occur with
major changes in the corporate officers/directors, or when two or more
minority stockholders band together to assume control.

2\. A change in **legal** control occurs when a person acquires more
than 50% of the stock of a corporation, or a person who was a majority
stockholder decreases their stock ownership to 50% or less.

For clarification on issues regarding changes in ownership or control,
contact the National Revenue Center at 800-398-2282 (513-684-3334)
(e-mail:
[**natlrevctr@cinc.atf.treas.gov**](mailto:natlrevctr@cinc.atf.treas.gov)).
Written notification and correspondence should be sent to: ATF National
Revenue Center, 8002 JWP Federal Office Building, 550 Main Street,
Cincinnati, OH 45202-3263.