San Benito County currently hosts 5 different American Viticultural Areas (AVA’s).
However, another appears to be in the works…
Federal Register: TTB
“Proposed Establishment of the Gabilan Mountains Viticultural Area”
November 10, 2021
"…Summary: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) proposes to establish the approximately 98,000-acre ‘Gabilan Mountains’ viticultural area in Monterey and San Benito Counties, California. The proposed viticultural area lies entirely within the established Central Coast viticultural area and would entirely encompass the established Mt. Harlan and Chalone viticultural areas. TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. TTB invites comments on this proposed addition to its regulations.
"…Gabilan Mountains Petition
"TTB received a petition from Parker Allen of Coastview Vineyards, proposing the establishment of the ‘Gabilan Mountains’ AVA. The proposed Gabilan Mountains AVA is located within Monterey and San Benito Counties, California, and lies entirely within the established Central Coast AVA (27 CFR 9.75). The proposed AVA also entirely encompasses the established Mt. Harlan (27 CFR 9.131) and Chalone (27 CFR 9.24) AVAs. The proposed Gabilan Mountains AVA contains approximately 98,000 acres and has 6 commercially-producing vineyards covering a total of approximately 436 acres, as well as 4 wineries.
“According to the petition, the distinguishing features of the proposed Gabilan Mountains AVA include its elevation, climate, and soils. Unless otherwise noted, all information and data pertaining to the proposed AVA contained in this document are from the petition for the proposed Gabilan Mountains AVA and its supporting exhibits…”.
The applicant, Coastview Vineyard, is located in the eastern ridges of the Gabilan Range. This new AVA would straddle parts of San Benito and Monterey Counties.
Comments are being solicited from the public through this website until January 10, 2022.
Can YOU name the 6 vineyards and the 4 wineries that would exist within this planned AVA?
TTB website
AVA Map Explorer
All AVA’s - current and proposed - can be viewed on an interactive map. From there, website users can access TTB information about specific AVA’s.
TTB Newsletter for November 12, 2021:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USTTB/bulletins/2fbefc9
AVA Map Explorer website:
https://www.ttb.gov/wine/ava-map-explorer