Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in this article govern the construction of this chapter.

“Books and records” means books, records, contracts, documents, memoranda, papers, correspondence, or other written data pertaining to matters relating to the activities subject to this chapter.

“Brandy” means an alcoholic distillate or a mixture of distillates obtained from the fermented juice, mash, or wine of whole, sound, ripe grapes or from the residue thereof, distilled at not over 170 degrees proof.

“Commission” means the California Winegrape Growers Commission.

“Local commission” means any local commission created pursuant to this chapter.

“Grape concentrate” or “concentrate” means unfermented grape juice from which the major portion of the original water content has been removed.

“Grape juice” or “juice” means unfermented crushed grapes without solids containing the major portion of the original water content.

“Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, association, or other entity doing business in California.

“Producer” and “grower” are synonymous and, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 74922.1, mean any person who produced and marketed winegrapes in the preceding marketing season in a quantity of more than 25 tons. Unless otherwise exempted, producer also includes any person who receives winegrapes as payment for the use of his or her property in the production of winegrapes.

“Producer districts” shall consist of the following:

“Producer region,” for the purpose of establishing and operating a local commission, shall consist of one or more grape crush report districts.

“Ex officio member” means a nonvoting member of the commission.

“Handler” means any person engaged in the marketing of winegrapes or winegrape products that the person has produced, purchased, or acquired from a producer, or is marketing on behalf of a producer whether as owner, agent, employee, broker, processor, or otherwise.

“High proof” means an alcoholic distillate or a mixture of distillates obtained from the fermented juice, mash, or wine of fresh winegrapes or from the residue thereof.

“Market” means to sell, barter, trade, purchase, acquire, or otherwise distribute wine, winegrapes, or winegrape products.

“Market development” includes, but is not limited to, trade promotion, public information, dissemination of information on health and social issues and other matters, and activities for the prevention, modification, or removal of trade barriers which restrict the free flow of winegrape products to market and may include the presentation of facts to state, federal, or foreign governmental agencies on matters which affect this chapter.

“Market research” means any investigation, development, analysis, or implementation of information relating to the marketing of winegrapes and winegrape products including, but not limited to, trade practices, consumer trends, promotion, sales, and advertising.

“Marketing season” or “fiscal year” means the period beginning July 1 of any year and extending through June 30 of the following years.

“Must” means a mixture of unfermented crushed grapes, solid grape particles, and grape juice.

“Processing” means any processing of winegrapes for the purpose of making must, grape juice, grape concentrate, wine, winegrape products, or products thereof, including high proof brandy.

“Production research” means research relating to the production and processing of winegrapes, including, but not limited to, the development of new winegrape products and uses for these products.

“Vintner” means a winegrower, as defined in Section 23013 of the Business and Professions Code, who holds a winegrower’s license issued by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 23300) of Division 9 of the Business and Professions Code, and who is engaged in producing must, grape juice, grape concentrate, wine, or products thereof, including high proof and brandy by processing winegrapes or field crushed must.

“Wine” means the product obtained by the fermentation of winegrapes or juice therefrom, with or without addition or abstracting, and includes any product made from winegrapes which is defined as a wine and permitted under Part III (commencing with Section 5381) of Subchapter F of Chapter 51 of Title 26 of the United States Code, and in the statutes of this state and regulations issued thereunder defining wine produced from grapes.

“Winegrapes” means grapes produced in this state which are intended to be converted from their fresh form into grape juice, grape concentrate, wine, or products thereof, including, but not limited to, high proof and brandy produced from winegrapes.

“Winegrape products” include, but are not limited to, must, grape juice, grape concentrate, wine, high proof, and brandy produced from winegrapes.