September 21, 2012

VIA EDGAR AND US MAIL

Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporate Finance
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549

Attention: Craig Slivka

Telephone: 202-551-3729

Facsimile: 703-813-6868

Control Number: 26129

Re: Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc. request to withdraw Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-169301

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Rule 477(a) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Registrant”), hereby requests that the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) consent to the withdrawal, effective as of the date hereof or at the earliest practicable date hereafter, of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed September 10, 2010 and amended December 14, 2010 (File No. 333-169301) (together with all exhibits, collectively, the “Registration Statement”).

The Registrant believes that withdrawal of the Registration Statement is consistent with the public interest and the protection of investors as contemplated by Rule 477(a) under the Securities Act. Please note that the Registration Statement was not declared effective by the Commission, and no securities of the Registrant were sold pursuant to the Registration Statement.

Please provide Mr. Ackneil M. Muldrow, III of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, our outside counsel, a facsimile copy of the order consenting to the withdrawal of the Registration Statement as soon as it is available. Mr. Muldrow’s facsimile number is (212) 872-1002. If you have any questions regarding this application for withdrawal, please call Mr. Muldrow at (212) 872-1064.

[Signature page follows.]

[Signature Page to the Form S-1 Registration Statement Withdrawal Request]