經通國際智慧產權事務所

The Napa Valley received the GeographicalIndication (GI) status in China as officially announced by the People’s Republic of China (P.R.O.C.), which makes it the first non-Chinese winegrowing region to be granted with the said recognition. The certification plays the key element in consumer protection in this rapidly developing area, granting the exclusive right to prevent the unauthorized use of the Napa Valley. 

The Geographical Indication is officially published by General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ).

Linda Reiff, the executive director of Napa Valley Vinters (NNV), claims, “We feel a lot of excitement knowing that China as an economic powerful and wine importing growing nation has decided to grant Napa Valley the GI status; meanwhile, we are also very proud to know that we are the first wine region outside China being granted with the GI. This is a historical milestone, which proves that our place of production and the high quality wine has won the respect worldwide. ”

 “Obtaining the official recognition will effectively protect the brand of Napa Valley. We have started expending our business in the market of China long time ago owning to its great potentiality.  This Decision will be a win-win situation for China and Napa Valley.” Linda Reiff said.

Similar to the process of obtaining the grant of the GI status from the European Union (EU), for the GI status in China, NNV filed the application directly to the government via the trade association which has not been done before by others in these two regions. Nonetheless, due to the fame and well-known status of the brand, Napa Valley, the China officials see the necessity and the value of giving the said GI status grant.

For many years, the members and staffs of the NNV and the China government have worked on various matters including many face-to-face conferences in Beijing for the recognition of the GI. Meeting with the brewers, understanding the unique quality of Napa’s wine, and limited quantity of the production helped the Chinese officials in understanding the importance of approving the Napa Valley’s application.

The President of Cakebread Cellars’, Bruce Cakebread, who had actively participated in the negotiation, also expressed, “The importance of Chinese market is going to increase in the coming years. We need to guarantee the protection of our brand and reputation. Obviously, Chinese government sees the expectation not only from the producers but also from the Chinese consumers.”

For the past 14 years, the NNV has been continuously bringing the trade delegation to China.  The consumers as well as the wine industry in China have shown their strong interest.  Although Napa valley accounts for only 4% of California’s wine production, almost 25% of its brewers export wine to China and it is accounted as one of world’s top wine exporting market source.

The announcement of the grant of the GI status in China has helped accomplishing not only the NVV’s work in EU, but also in India, Thailand, Canada and Brazil for the GI recognition received just last week, guaranteeing consumers of acquiring the said wine label in these important and emerging global markets.

Derived and revised from www.tjkx.com

Organized and translated by Eunice Yang

International Affairs