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 Mendocino Winegrape and Wine Commission.

“Department” means the Department of Food and Agriculture.

“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.

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

“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 education, dissemination of information on health and social issues, and other matters, and activities for the prevention, modification, or removal of trade barriers that restrict the free flow of winegrapes, wine, or winegrape products to market and may include, but is not limited to, the presentation of facts to local, state, federal, or foreign governmental agencies on matters that affect this chapter.

“Market research” means any investigation, development, analysis, or implementation of information relating to the marketing of winegrapes, wine, 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 year.

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

“Person” means any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, association, or any other business entity.

“Process” or “processed” means producing must, grape juice, grape concentrate, wine, or other winegrape products, including high proof and brandy from winegrapes.

“Producer” or “grower” means any person who is engaged within Mendocino County in the business of producing, or causing to be produced, winegrapes for market. Producer also includes any person who receives winegrapes as a payment for the use of his or her property in the production of winegrapes.

“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.

“Secretary” means the Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

“Vintner” and “processor” are synonymous and, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, mean any person engaged in Mendocino County in producing or causing to be produced must, grape juice, grape concentrate, wine, or other winegrape products, including high proof and brandy, and includes a “winegrower” in Mendocino County as that term is defined in Section 23013 of the Business and Professions Code, who produces wine from winegrapes. However, a producer does not become a vintner solely by the act of field crushing winegrapes before delivering the winegrapes as must to another person.

“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 that is defined as a wine and permitted under Part III (commencing with Section 5381) of Subchapter E 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 Mendocino County that 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 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.