York Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, California. It lies within the larger Central Coast AVA located on the eastern side of the Santa Lucia Mountains and west of Paso Robles viticultural area. The mountainous terrain features vineyards that are mostly cultivated at an elevation around 1,500 feet (460 m). York Mountain climate is cooler and wetter than Paso Robles being just 8 miles (13 km) from the Pacific Ocean. York Mountain viticultural area was recognized as the county’s second AVA by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) effective on September 23, 1983 after reviewing the petition submitted by Stephen and Max Goldman, owners of York Mountain Winery, to establish a area known as “York Mountain.” Historically, Andrew York, a British 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 through Prohibtion 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 | 154[3] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, San Luis Obispo County |
| Other regions in California, 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] |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 45 to 50 inches (1,143–1,270 mm) 4.24 inches (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; its situated on the eastern slopes of the Santa Lucia Range where elevations range from 1,512 to 1,678 feet (461–511 m); the rainfall averages 45 to 50 inches (1,143–1,270 mm) annually which is about double of neighboring inland Paso Robles areas and a classification of Region I as compared to Regions III and IV for adjacent areas.[1][3][6][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.[7] Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc are commercially grown in the AVA.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Establishment of York Mountain Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 48 FR 38463, Final rule, [T.D. TF-143; Ref: Notice No. 451]). 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 the public 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 the public domain.
- ^ a b c "York Mountain AVA". San Luis Obispo Guide. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Daniel, 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. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "York Mountain (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on September 8, 2013. Retrieved January 25, 2008.
- ^ a b "Our Story". Epoch Estate Wines. 2004. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
External links
edit- Epoch Estate Wines formerly York Mountain Winery.
- TTB AVA Map
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