The Geographical Indications Committee has made an interim determination to recognise Wilyabrup as a separate geographical indication within the broader Margaret River wine region.
The decision is open for public comment until March 13, 2020.
The proposed boundaries for the new Geographical Indication (GI) of Wilyabrup can be viewed online at wineaustralia.com/interim-determination-wilyabrup.
Geographical Indications Committee presiding member Dennis Mutton said the interim determination marked the commencement of the final public consultation phase.
'A GI identifies wine as originating in a specific region or locality where its characteristics can be attributable to their geographic origin', he said.
'Within Australia, our GIs are listed on the Register of Geographical Indications and Other Terms.
"The use of terms on the register is regulated through the label integrity program, administered by Wine Australia, to ensure the truth and the reputation for truthfulness of Australian wine labels."
After considering submissions received before March 13, 2020, the Geographical Indications Committee will decide whether to make a final determination of whether to enter Wilyabrup onto the Register of Geographical Indications and Other Terms.
Final determinations are subject to appeal in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
If entered onto the Register of Geographical Indications and Other Terms, Wilyabrup would become a registered GI within Margaret River; just as Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker and Porongurup are registered GIs within Great Southern.
If Wilyabrup becomes a registered GI, a wine with the single GI claim 'Wilyabrup' would have to be made from at least 85 per cent of the fruit grown within the delineated boundary.
It would remain open to producers within Wilyabrup to use the Margaret River GI. Different rules apply where multiple GI claims are made.
