Comment from Wine with a Chef (Haff, Harry)

The proposed "grandfathering in" of wine brands with the name Calistoga without the required sourcing of grapes is a terrible idea. It simply misleads the public and offers preferential treatment to connected business people who chose in the past to flaunt the idea of an appellation name. These companies were founded after 1986. Period. They knew the rules before they entered the game. Allowing this rule change perpetuates false and misleading labeling on food products. It devalues the wineries that do "play by the rules". This is a damning precedent. To be called a Calistoga wine, the 85% rule must apply. And this applies to appellations all around the country. Harry Haff