(TDB) - A proposed bill aims to stop the practice of using Californian grapes to make Texan wine, a move producers fear will increase costs.

House Bill 1514 states “A wine is entitled to an appellation of origin indicating the wine’s origin is this state or a geographical subdivision of this state only if: 100 percent of the wine’s volume is derived from fermented juice of grapes or other fruit grown in this state; and the wine is fully produced and finished in this state.”

The bill, proposed by state representative Jason Isaac and state senator Dawn Buckingham, will ensure that a wine that is labelled as ‘Texan’ will include only grapes that have been grown in the state.

To be certified as Texan, the state and federal wine laws currently stipulate a minimum of 75% Texan grapes. The remaining 25% can be sourced from elsewhere, but due to the relative low cost, Californian grapes are usually chosen.

According to another federal requirement, if the wine is made in one of Texas’ eight American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), and is so-labelled, it must contained a minimum of 85% grapes grown in the stated AVA.