Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA

Eagle Peak Mendocino County is an American Viticultural Area located in Mendocino County, California and established on November 10, 2014, by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). It lies within the North Coast AVA and takes its name from the nearby Eagle Peak summit covering the mountainous area situated in the California Coastal Range just west of the Redwood Valley AVA and east of the V-shaped Mendocino AVA. It was first proposed in June 2013, designating roughly 26,260 acres (10,627 ha) and straddles U.S. Highway 101 between the towns of Ukiah and Willits. The new boundaries reduced about 1,500 and 1,900 acres (607 and 769 ha) from each bordering AVA to eliminate overlap with Eagle Peak Mendocino County.[1]

Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA
Wine region
TypeU.S. County
Year established2014[1]
CountryUS
Part ofCalifornia, Mendocino County, North Coast AVA
Other regions in California, Mendocino County, North Coast AVAMendocino AVA, Redwood Valley AVA, Potter Valley AVA
Climate regionTemperate
Soil conditionsshallow, well-draining, coarse gravel, sandstone, clay, and loam mixes[1]
Total area26,260 acres (10,627 ha)[2]
Size of planted vineyards115 acres (47 ha)[2]
No. of vineyards1[2]
Grapes producedPinot noir[2]
Varietals producedPinot noir
No. of wineries5[2]
Wine producedPinot noir

Terroir

Eagle Peak's steeply sloping terrain is significantly cooler than its neighbor, Redwood Valley, and the further eastern Potter Valley. However, Eagle Peak Mendocino County is still an inland AVA with elevations from 700 to 3,320 feet (213 to 1,012 m).[3] It experiences more seasonal temperature variation than coastal AVAs with less fog. Persistent breezes of 5-10 MPH travel from the ocean through the Big River airflow corridor. The soils are well-drained since water doesn't stick around due to the slopes and shallow root depths because of hard subsoil, There is enough water-holding capacity to keep vines healthy from dormancy through fruit set, however, some irrigation is required to usher the vines through to harvest.[3]

Wine Industry

Pinot Noir grows best in Eagle Peak, as the temperature tends to be cooler than the inland valleys. The area is home to only one winery, Masút Vineyards and Winery, founded by third generation vintners and Mendocino-born Ben and Jake Fetzer. They submitted the Eagle Peak TTB appellation proposal to further define this little known, unique winegrowing area.[2]

References
  1. "Establishment of the Eagle Peak Mendocino County Viticultural Area and Realignments of the Mendocino and Redwood Valley Viticultural Areas" (27 CFR 9, 79 FR 60968). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. October 9, 2014. pp. 60968–60974.
  2. "Eagle Peak, Mendocino County, American Viticultural Area Receives Approval" (Press Release). Wine Business. October 6, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  3. "TTB Establishes Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA". The San Francisco Wine School. 2014.

39.2758°N 123.2567°W / 39.2758; -123.2567

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