Wine region | |
Type | American Viticultural Area |
---|---|
Year established | 1982 [1] |
Years of wine industry | 105 |
Country | United States |
Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County, San Benito County, Gabilan Mountains AVA |
Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County, San Benito County, Gabilan Mountains AVA | San Lucas AVA, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, San Bernabe AVA |
Soil conditions | Miocene volcanic and Mesozoic granitic rocks, heavy in limestone deposits [1] |
Total area | 8,640 acres (14 sq mi) [1] |
Size of planted vineyards | 300 acres (121 ha) [2] [3] |
No. of vineyards | 4 [4] |
Grapes produced | Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Grenache, Pinot blanc, Pinot noir, Marsanne, Sangiovese, Syrah [3] |
No. of wineries | 4 [3] |
Chalone identifies the first American Viticultural Area (AVA) established in Monterey County, California straddling its border with San Benito County where it is the second established AVA. Chalone viticultural area is located in the Gabilan Mountains east of Soledad. It was recognized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) effective on July 14, 1982 after reviewing the petition submitted by the Gavilan Vineyards, Inc. to establish a viticultural area in Monterey and San Benito counties to be named "The Pinnacles." The area encompasses 8,640 acres (14 sq mi) and the proposed name was recognition of the nearby Chalone peaks.
Based upon testimony presented at a public hearing and submitted written comments, ATF concluded the proposed name, "The Pinnacles", was inappropriate to designate the proposed viticultural area. This determination was arrived at because of trademark claims by another winery and the possibility of consumer confusion that would result if the proposed name was approved. Paragon Vineyard submitted historical evidence which establishes the history of the name "Chalone" dating back to 1816 at which time the name referred to a division of the Costanoan family which lived in the area. Further evidence was submitted which claimed that the Pinnacles Monument was initially called Chalone Peaks prior to being designated as a national monument. Within the area covered by the Pinnacles National Monument, the two most distinctive geographical features are the North and South Chalone Peaks. The western boundary of the national monument is the eastern boundary of the viticultural area. One of the U.S.G.S. maps submitted with the petition is entitled "North Chalone Peak." Chalone Creek encircles the viticultural area on the north and east.
At the outset, the proposed viticultural area contained one winery, Chalone Vineyard, with 120 acres (49 ha) under vine. The petitioner stated that approximately 50 percent of the proposed area is plantable; however, due to the shortage of water for irrigation, the majority of the area was not being cultivated. In the final ruling, ATF believed that sufficient evidence was submitted which established historical and current use of the name “Chalone” for the viticultural area. [1]
Chalone boasts the oldest producing vines in Monterey County. In 1919, French immigrant and entrepreneur, Charles L. Tamm, traveled through California searching for the terroir with limestone soil similar to his native Burgundy. He found a property in Monterey County which is currently Chalone Vineyard. On the north slope of Chalone Peak at 1,800 feet (550 m), Tamm planted Chenin Blanc sourcing for wineries during Prohibition, when the grapes were used to make sacramental wines. Winegrowing, however, never became important in Monterey County because it was considered a “poor area” for viticulture. Strong winds off Monterey Bay and the arid climate of the Salinas River Valley deterred the planting of wine grapes. During Prohibition, only 400 acres (162 ha) of vineyards survived in Monterey County and this acreage was halved in the years following Repeal. [5] Later, Chalone Vineyard grew and its grapes were sold in the 1940s and '50s to Almaden Vineyards and Wente Brothers. [6] In 1946, Chalone vineyards were expanded by its subsequent owner, William Silvear, with more Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc plus newly planted Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. [7] [8]
In the early 1960s, the modern era of viticulture took root and Monterey County gained prominence as a wine-producing region. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the quality of some California wines was outstanding but few took notice as the market favored French brands. At the legendary Paris Wine Tasting of 1976 on May 24th, Chalone Vineyard's 1974 Chardonnay ranked 3rd in the white wine category scored predominantly by renown French oenophiles. [9] The identical vintage ranked 1st in a repeat event at the San Francisco Wine Tasting of 1978. [8]
The viticultural area, as amended, consists of 8,640 acres (14 sq mi) of rolling land located on a geological bench in the Gabilan (or Gavilan) Mountain Range of Central California. The area has a mean elevation of 1,650 feet (503 m) above sea level and drains into Bryant Canyon, Stonewell Canyon and Shirttail Gulch. The boundaries are as follows: to the south and west, the points at which the land drops off sharply to the Salinas Valley: to the north, the ridge line (watershed divide) effectively dividing Monterey and San Benito Counties, and the Gloria Valley on the other side, and, to the east, the western boundary of the Pinnacles National Monument. The area ranges in elevation from 1,400 to 2,000 feet (427–610 m) above sea level, with a mean elevation of 1,650 feet (503 m) above sea level. The surrounding area to the south and west is characterized by a steep drop to the Salinas Valley, which has a mean elevation of 300 feet (91 m) above sea leveL The area to the east, the Pinnacles National Monument, is unavailable for private agriculture. Except for the Gloria Valley (which is distinguishable from the viticultural area for other reasons), the area to the north rises to higher elevations than those found in the viticultural area. The petitioner claims that the differences in elevation between the Salinas Valley and the proposed area produce dramatic differences in climatic conditions. [1]
The climate of the Salinas Valley is tempered by the cooling winds from Monterey Bay which form a thick fog layer that extends to an elevation of 1,000 feet (305 m). In summer the viticultural area is approximately 10 °F (−12 °C) warmer than the Salinas Valley because the former does not receive the cooling winds and fog cover from Monterey Bay. [1]
The soils of the Chalone area has limestone and decomposed granite soil and significantly differ from soils of surrounding areas. Within the area, the soils primarily consist of Miocene volcanic and Mesozoic granitic rocks, heavy in limestone deposits. The Salinas Valley to the south and west consists of alluvium and river terrace rocks, while the Gloria Valley to the north is alluvial. The Pinnacles National Monument, to the east, though similar in mineral deposits, is unavailable for private agriculture. [1] [3] [10]
The limited rainfall and soil content of limestone and granite contribute to the rich bouquet found in Chalone wines by limiting grape yields and optimizing drainage for the root system to maintain healthy vines and produce flavorful fruit. [2]
Carmel Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Monterey County, California, southeast of Carmel-by-the-Sea and it is one of the ten AVAs in the county. Approximately 100 miles (161 km) south of San Francisco, the AVA was recognized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury on January 13, 1983 after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. David Armanasco, General Manager of Durney Vineyard, located in Carmel, to propose a viticultural area named “Carmel Valley.”
Chalone Vineyard is located in the Chalone AVA south of San Francisco, California, United States, on an unusual geological formation called the Gavilan benchland. The soil is rich in limestone and calcium carbonate and also contains a significant amount of decomposed granite. This soil has a mineral composition similar to the Champagne region of France. Chalone is situated in an arid chaparral environment, in which temperatures can vary as much as 50°F in one day. The climate is very dry, only 12 to 14 inches (360 mm) of rain fall per year. These factors combine to create a unique terroir, the signature profile of a wine growing region.
Willamette Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which lies in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The AVA is the wine growing region which encompasses the drainage basin of the Willamette River. It stretches from the Columbia River in the north to just south of Eugene in the south, where the Willamette Valley ends; and from the Oregon Coast Range in the west to the Cascade Mountains in the east. At 5,360 square miles, it is the largest AVA in the state, and contains most of the state's wineries; approximately 908 as of 2021.
Red Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) that encompasses the local region surrounding Red Mountain in Benton County, Washington. The viticultural area was formally recognized on June 11, 2001 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Lorne Jacobson of Hedges Cellars to establish an area known as "Red Mountain." It lies entirely within the Yakima Valley and vast Columbia Valley appellations and is the smallest AVA in the state at only 4,040 acres (6.31 sq mi) in area and lies between Benton City and the City of West Richland. The area has more than 2,225 acres (900 ha) under cultivation of primarily red varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. The reputation of the area's wines has brought Red Mountain worldwide attention and acclaim for producing some of the most desired Washington State vintage wines.
Walla Walla Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located within Washington state and extending partly into the northeastern corner of Oregon. The wine region is entirely included within the larger Columbia Valley AVA. In addition to grapes, the area produces sweet onions, wheat and strawberries After the Yakima Valley AVA, the Walla Walla AVA has the second highest concentration of vineyards and wineries in Washington State. Walla Walla hosts about 140 wineries. The area was recognized on March 7, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Richard L Small, President of the Walla Walla Valley Winegrowers Association, for the establishment of a viticultural area in southeast Washington and northeast Oregon, east of Lake Wallula, to be known as "Walls Walls Valley." At the time, Walla Walla Valley viticultural area was approximately 178,560 acres (279 sq mi) with two bonded wineries and about 60 acres (24 ha) from several vineyards.
Puget Sound is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in northwest portion of Washington state encompassing Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston and Whatcom Counties. It is the only Washington AVA located west of the Cascade Mountains.
Santa Maria Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which straddles the boundary of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties in California's multi-county Central Coast AVA. It was established on August 5, 1981, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as California's second oldest AVA. A portion of the AVA crosses the Cuyama River into the southernmost corner of San Luis Obispo County. The east-west orientation of the 152.3 square miles with a wide, open valley and rolling hills means cool winds and fog flow in freely from the Pacific Ocean, settling most noticeably in lower-lying areas. The result is a mild Mediterranean climate that lengthens the growing season and contributes to the eventual sugar/acid balance in the grapes from Santa Maria Valley's 7,500 acres (3,000 ha) cultivated vineyards. On January 28, 2011, the AVA was granted a 29.4 square miles expansion to its southern boundary.
North Fork of Roanoke is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located on the eastern slopes of the Allegheny Mountains in the Roanoke and Montgomery counties of Virginia just west of the city of Roanoke. The appellation area was established by the Treasury's, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) on May 16, 1983. The North Fork valley stretches 22 miles (35 km) along the Roanoke River with surrounding hillsides where vineyards reside between 1,200 to 2,200 feet (366–671 m) above sea level. The approximately 1,200 acres (1.9 sq mi) area is named for its position on the North Fork river, before it converges with the South Fork to form the Roanoke River. Many of North Fork's 49 acres (20 ha) of vineyards are located on the Allegheny slopes which are part of the larger Blue Ridge mountain range that stretches south into North Carolina. The North Fork AVA weather is characterized by cool, foggy summer mornings and prevailing westerly winds. Karl and Myra Hereford of MJC Vineyard in Blacksburg, Virginia, petitioned the ATF in October 1981 to establish the viticulture area named "North Fork of Roanoke.”
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) centered on the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its territory spans three California counties, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo and was established January 4, 1982 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury. Santa Cruz Mountains AVA was among the first AVA to be defined by its mountainous topography. Based on elevation, it largely follows the fog line along the coast, extending down to 800 feet (240 m) on the eastern slope toward San Francisco Bay, 400 feet (120 m) on the western slope to the Pacific Ocean and extending along the ridge crest line at 3,000 feet (910 m) elevation plus.
Sierra Foothills is a vast American Viticultural Area (AVA) encompassing the foothill "belt" of the Sierra Nevada in north-central California, United States. It was established on December 18, 1987 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after evaluating the petition filed by the Sierra Foothills Winery Association of Somerset, California for the establishment of a "Sierra Foothills" viticultural area in portions of Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties. Wine grapes were introduced to the area in the nineteenth century during the California Gold Rush. Over 280 vineyards/wineries are located within its boundaries.
The Chiles Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Napa County, California and a sub-region within Napa Valley AVA. It was established as California's 81st AVA by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) on April 19, 1999 after the ATF received the petition from Mr. Volker Eisele, owner of the Volker Eisele Vineyard and Winery proposing a new viticultural area in Napa County to be known as "Chiles Valley District".
Edna Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, California encompassing the rural town of Edna which is 9 miles (14 km) southeast of the county seat San Luis Obispo and north of the small coastal town Arroyo Grande. It was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) as the county's first AVA within California’s multi-county Central Coast AVA effective May 12, 1982. It became an sub-appellation of the county’s newest San Luis Obispo Coast viticultural area since April 2022. The valley is diagonally flanked by Lake Lopez to the south and Islay Hill to the north. The elongated valley extends along a northwest-southeast axis bordered to the west by the Santa Lucia Mountains and surrounded by volcanic mountains and characterized by black humus and clay-rich soils. With moderate sunshine, cool maritime fog, and rich oceanic and volcanic soils, the Edna Valley appellation has California's longest growing season. The valley is kept cool by breezes from the Pacific Ocean and morning fog. The extended growing season allows complex flavors to develop in the grapes.
El Dorado is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in El Dorado County, California, east of the state’s capital, Sacramento and centered around the county seat of Placerville. It was established on November 14, 1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Treasury after approving the submitted petition from the El Dorado Wine Grape Growers Association of Camino, California applying to establish a viticultural area named "El Dorado.” The area includes parts of El Dorado County on the north border by the Middle Fork American River and on the south by the South Fork of the Cosumnes River. El Dorado viticultural area lies within the vast 4,062 square miles Sierra Foothills viticultural area, one of the largest appellations in California, which extends about 170 miles (274 km) through portions of Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties. The El Dorado viticultural area encompasses 1,093,120 acres (1,708 sq mi) which entirely includes Fair Play and a small portion of northeastern California Shenandoah Valley AVAs.
Fiddletown is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Amador County, California, United States. The area was established on November 3, 1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted from the Fiddletown Wine Grape Growers in Amador County to establish a viticultural area to be known as "Fiddletown." The region was first settled in 1849, during the California Gold Rush. Settlers who stayed in the area eventually planted grape vines, which became abundant by the end of the nineteenth century. Most of the vineyards in the Fiddletown AVA are located in the south and west portion of the region on Sierra Nevada slopes between 1,500 to 2,500 feet (457–762 m) above sea level. About 20% of the wine produced in Amador County comes from Fiddletown viticultural area.
Monterey is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in eastern Monterey County, California. It was recognized on July 16, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Monterey Winegrowers Council to establish the "Monterey" viticultural area. The designated area within the multi-county Central Coast AVA expands almost the entire length of the county from the Monterey Bay southern shoreline to the Salinas river valley framed by the Santa Lucia, Sierra de Salinas and Gabilan Ranges stretching north-south for about 100 miles (160 km) from Watsonville to its southern point, abutting the town of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County. Monterey AVA expands approximately 360,000 acres (560 sq mi) with about 40,000 acres (16,000 ha) of cultivated vineyards. The AVA includes parts of the Carmel and the Salinas valleys containing five smaller American viticultural areas: Arroyo Seco, Hames Valley, San Bernabe, San Lucas and Santa Lucia Highlands. The northern portion is a cool growing region with a very long growing season. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 75 °F (24 °C) in most parts of the region, although the southern segments of the AVA can measure 100 °F (38 °C) at times. The soil is sandy loam and most regions require irrigation from the Salinas River.
Pacheco Pass is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in the Santa Clara and San Benito counties of California. It lies within the larger San Francisco Bay viticultural area. Pacheco Pass was established on April 11, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after evaluating the petition submitted by Mr. H.G. Zanger of Pacheco Pass Vineyard, later renamed "Zanger Vineyards", proposing an area near Hollister, California, as a viticultural area known as "Pacheco Pass."
Eagle Foothills is the second American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the state of Idaho located in the southwestern region in Gem and Ada Counties. The area lies southeast of Emmett, north of Eagle and approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of the city of Boise. It was established on December 28, 2015 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury as the first sub-appellation in the vast Snake River Valley viticultural area and the first appellation entirely within Idaho’s state borders. It does not overlap with any existing or proposed AVA. Eagle Foothills lies at the north bank of Ancient Lake Idaho with its elevations ranging from 2,490 to 3,412 feet (759–1,040 m). The area encompasses 49,815 acres (78 sq mi) with nearly 70 acres (28 ha) under vine with plans to add 472 acres (191 ha) and seven vineyards. Its USDA plant hardiness zones are 7a and 7b. Vineyard elevations are below 3,000 feet (914 m). The majority of viticulture activity is at 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards with its 46 acres (19 ha) in center of the appellation. The cool climate and relatively short growing season are suitable for growing early to mid-season varietals such as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Riesling.
Monterey County wine is a appellation that designates wine made from grapes grown in Monterey County, California which lies entirely within the expansive multi-county Central Coast viticultural area. County names in the United States automatically qualify as legal appellations of origin for wine produced from grapes grown in that county and do not require registration with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). TTB was created in January 2003, when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, or ATF, was extensively reorganized under the provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.
Gabilan Mountains is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in the mountainous region on the border in Monterey and San Benito Counties in California. It is the tenth and newest AVA established in Monterey County by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on September 14, 2022, becoming the state's 147th official AVA after the TTB reviewed the petition from Parker Allen of Coastview Vineyards, proposing to establish the "Gabilan Mountains" viticultural area. Gabilan Mountains encompasses about 98,000 acres (153 sq mi) including the established Mt. Harlan and Chalone AVAs, and resident to 4 wineries and 6 commercial vineyards cultivating approximately 436 acres (176 ha). The average elevation within the region is 2,370 feet (722 m) placing it above the heavy fog and marine layer. As a result, Gabilan Mountains AVA has a cool air climate without the humidity from the fog and low-lying clouds.
Candy Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Washington that encompasses the slopes surrounding Candy Mountain in Benton County located southwest of Richland along the Columbia River. The viticultural area is the state's 16th AVA formally established on September 24, 2020, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Dr. Kevin R. Pogue, professor of geology at Whitman College, on behalf of the following industry members with wine businesses within the Candy Mountain appellation: Ramer Holtan, who is developing a commercial wine grape vineyard on Candy Mountain; Premiere Columbia Partners LLC, owners of Candy Mountain Vineyard; and Paul and Vickie Kitzke, owners of Kitzke Cellars. For wines to bear the “Candy Mountain AVA” label, at least 85% of the grapes used for production must be grown in the designated area, Candy Mountain is a sub-appellation entirely within the Yakima Valley and the expansive Columbia Valley AVAs adjacent to the eastern boundary of Goose Gap AVA and few miles southeast of Red Mountain AVA. Within the 815 acres (330 ha) minute AVA, there are currently two producing commercial vineyards, Candy Mountain Vineyard and Kitzke Cellars, which cultivate approximately 54 acres (22 ha) with future expansions for 200 acres (81 ha)
The oldest producing vineyard in Monterey County, Chalone Vineyard Estate rests on the Gavilan Mountain Range on the north slope of Chalone Peak
36°28′15″N121°13′47″W / 36.47073491°N 121.22975800°W