Consumer Corner
Wine Banner Image

Wine Labeling

Wine labels—which must be pre-approved by TTB—are an important source of information for consumers.  This section provides resources intended to help take the mystery out of wine labeling regulations and procedures. For more specific commodity-related information, please visit the commodity tabs across the top of the TTB.gov homepage.

Wine Labeling Resources

  • COLAs Online – COLAs Online is an Internet based system that allows registered industry members to complete the label certification and approval process online.
  • Public COLA Registry Search – This internet application allows you to search for existing Certificates of Label Approval (COLAs). This is the public module of COLAs Online and requires no username or password.  Per FOIA requirements, the registry contains details of approved, expired, surrendered or revoked COLAs for viewing by the general public.
  • U.S. Appellations of Origin – Learn all about appellations of origin, approved U.S. viticultural areas, at TTB’s “U.S. Appellations of Origins” page.  Learn about foreign appellations of origin, as well.
  • Labels with Organic Claims – TTB provides you with the most up-to-date information for the production, handling, processing, labeling, and marketing of products labeled with organic claims.
  • Labeling Fact Review Methods – TTB periodically reviews labeling and advertising claims by taking samples of alcohol beverage products for validation purposes.  TTB’s “Alcohol Fact Labeling Methods” page provides details on this process.
  • Pre-COLA Evaluation – For many alcohol beverage products, TTB requires a product evaluation to determine whether a proposed label identifies the product in an adequate and non-misleading way.  Visit TTB’s “Formulation” pages to learn more.
  • Grape Wine Labels  – This TTB brochure provides explanations of the information that must be provided to the public on a grape wine label.
  • Sample Wine Labels – Still not confident your label design will receive a COLA? Whether you are looking for inspiration or are simply curious,  take a look at examples of various types of wine labels.