York Mountain is anAmerican Viticultural Area (AVA) inSan Luis Obispo (SLO) County,California. It lies within the largerCentral Coast AVA located on the eastern side of theSanta Lucia Mountains and west ofPaso Robles viticultural area. The mountainous terrain featuresvineyards that are mostly cultivated at anelevation around 1,500 feet (457 m). York Mountain climate is cooler and wetter than Paso Robles being just 7 miles (11 km) from thePacific Ocean. York Mountain was established as SLO county’s second AVA by theBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF),Treasury on August 24, 1983 after reviewing the petition submitted by Stephen and Max Goldman, owners of York Mountain Winery, to designate a viticultural area named "York Mountain."[7] Historically, Andrew York, aBritish immigrant, planted the first vineyard on York Mountain in the 1870s and established Ascension Winery, the first bonded winery in the Central Coast. It survived throughProhibtion and later renamed York Mountain Winery, staying in the York family until 1970 when it was purchased by Max Goldman.[3][6][4]
| Wine region | |
 York Mountain vineyards | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1983[1] 1987 Amended[2] |
| Years of wine industry | 155[3] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California,Central Coast AVA,San Luis Obispo County |
| Other regions inCalifornia,Central Coast AVA,San Luis Obispo County | Arroyo Grande Valley AVA,Edna Valley AVA,Paso Robles AVA,SLO Coast AVA |
| Climate region | Region I[1] |
| Heat units | 1900GDDs |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 45 to 50 in (1,143–1,270 mm) 4.24 in (107.70 mm) during growing season[4] |
| Soil conditions | shallow sandstone, sandy clay with some alluvial deep sandy clay-loam and limestone outcrops[4] |
| Total area | 6,400 acres (10 sq mi)[5] |
| No. of vineyards | 4[6] |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Sauvignon,Chardonnay,Grenache,Petit Verdot,Pinot noir,Syrah,Tempranillo,Viognier,Zinfandel[6] |
| No. of wineries | 2[4] |
Terroir
editYork Mountain viticultural area is distinguished from surrounding areas by being 7 miles (11 km) from the Pacific Ocean and the influence of the cool maritime fog. The area is situated on the eastern slopes of theSanta Lucia Range where elevations range from 1,512 to 1,678 feet (461–511 m) and rainfall averages 45 to 50 inches (1,143–1,270 mm) annually compared to the 15 to 20 in (381–508 mm) in the neighboring inland Paso Robles areas and a classification of Region I as compared to Regions III and IV in the adjacent areas.[1][3][6][8] The area is "dry farmed." The low supply of ground water is inadequate for irrigation, providing only a small amount in potting water to establish the grape vines during the first two years of root formation and growth. Dry farming results in low grape yields and wines with concentrated flavor characteristics.[7]
Industry
editAfter subsequent ownerships, York Mountain Winery was renamed “Epoch Estate Wines” that restored the historic York Mountain Winery building as their Tasting Room.[8] Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc are commercially grown in the AVA.
References
edit- ^abc"Establishment of York Mountain Viticultural Area"(27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. TF-143; Ref: Notice No. 451] Final rule).Federal Register.48 (165).Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF),Treasury:38462–38464. August 24, 1983.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain. - ^"§ 9.80 [Amended]"(York Mountain Quadrangle).Federal Register.52 (39).Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF),Treasury: 5959. February 27, 1987. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
- ^abc"York Mountain AVA".San Luis Obispo Guide. RetrievedDecember 26, 2023.
- ^abcdDaniel, Laurie (June 27, 2007)."What's Up on York Mountain?".Appellation_America.Archived from the original on December 3, 2008.
- ^"York Mountain Wine".Wine-Searcher. 2020. RetrievedMay 9, 2021.
- ^abcd"York Mountain (AVA): Appellation Profile".Appellation America. 2007.Archived from the original on September 8, 2013. RetrievedJanuary 25, 2008.
- ^abGoldman, Max (July 27, 1982)."Petition for the York Mountain Viticultural Area".TTB.gov. Templeton, California: York Mountain Winery.
- ^ab"Our Story".Epoch Estate Wines. 2004. RetrievedDecember 26, 2023.
35°32′38″N120°49′37″W / 35.5439548°N 120.8269281°W /35.5439548; -120.8269281
External links
edit- Epoch Estate Wines formerly York Mountain Winery.
- TTB AVA Map
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