WHAT IS “ESTATE BOTTLED” WINE?

Legal Requirements (U.S.)

For a wine to state “Estate Bottled”, it must:

1. Be made from 100% grapes grown on land owned or controlled by the winery

2. Come from a single AVA (American Viticultural Area)

3. Be crushed, fermented, finished, aged, and bottled at the same winery

4. The winery must be located within that same AVA

So, it’s not just about ownership of grapes — it’s about complete control of the process within one defined growing region.

What It Implies

While it’s a legal term, it also carries a marketing message:

• Total vineyard control – The winery manages farming decisions (harvest timing, yield, canopy management).

• Traceability – The wine’s origin is very specific.

• Terroir expression – Often suggests a stronger link between vineyard and bottle.

• Typically, smaller production – Estate wines are often boutique, though not always.

What It Does Not Mean

• It does not automatically mean higher quality.

• It does not require organic or biodynamic farming.

• It does not mean the winery owns all vineyards used for other wines — only that specific bottling.

Estate Bottled vs. Other Terms

• “Produced and Bottled By” – Winery made and bottled it, but grapes could be purchased.

• “Cellared and Bottled By” – Winery aged and bottled it but did not necessarily ferment it.

• “Estate Grown” – Often used loosely in marketing; not as tightly regulated as “Estate Bottled.”

Practical Example

If a winery in the Napa Valley AVA grows grapes on vineyards it owns within Napa Valley, makes the wine at its Napa facility, and bottles it there — it can legally use “Estate Bottled.”

If it buys grapes from Sonoma or from another grower within Napa, it cannot use that term for that wine.