NORTH COAST, Calif. – The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau approved the new Eagle Peak, Mendocino County, American Viticultural Area, or AVA, this week.
The final rule will be published in the Federal Register in the next few days and the appellation will be available for use on labels after 30 days.
“It is important to have official recognition of this growing region in Mendocino County,” said Golden Vineyards owner, Julie Golden. “Our Heart Arrow Ranch (now in the new AVA) sits on a striking, southern facing ridge perfectly suited to growing world-class Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.”
Named after a prominent nearby summit, the Eagle Peak, Mendocino County, AVA consists of steep rugged terrain, high elevations, moderate temperatures, cooling winds, and well-drained mountain soils.
It is reported to be ideally situated in a climatic transition zone between the cool, wet climate of the Pacific coast and the warm, dry inland valleys of Mendocino County.
“We realized after doing soil tests and reviewing the growing degree-days data that we had an ideal terroir for making top quality wines. This was why we partnered with the Fetzer family and other nearby neighbors to propose the Eagle Peak, Mendocino County, AVA,” said Golden.
The new AVA is situated 125 miles north of San Francisco and encompasses nearly 21,000 acres of mountainous terrain.
Only 115 acres are currently under vine between Golden, Masút, Linholme, Sea Biscuit South and Turan Vineyards.