Graphic by SWE based on a map via the AVA Explorer: https://www.ttb.gov/wine/ava-map-explorer
California has a new AVA!
Announced on November 18, 2020, the Tehachapi Mountains AVA will be “officially” become the 252nd AVA (American Viticultural Area) in the United States (and California’s 141st) on December 21.
The new AVA is located in California’s Kern County, about 120 miles inland (east) of San Luis Obispo. It does not overlap any existing appellations. The AVA surrounds the town of Tehachapi and lies partially within the high-elevation Tehachapi Mountains (part of the larger Sierra Nevada Mountain Range). Wine growing and production began in the area in 2006.
According to the proposal (originally submitted in June of 2018), the distinguishing features of the Tehachapi Mountains AVA include its climate and topography:
Climate: Despite its high elevation, the Tehachapi Mountain area is not typically subject to severe frost or severe winter weather. Warm winds from the San Joaquin Valley (to the west) and the Mojave Desert (to the east) keep winter temperatures moderate, although Spring freezes do occasionally occur. Temperatures rarely exceed 100°F during the summer. The area is best suited to those grapes recommended for Winkler Zones II and III.
Map via the AVA Explorer: https://www.ttb.gov/wine/ava-map-explorer
Topography: The elevation within the area ranges from 3,600 feet to 5,400 feet with the majority of the land situated between 3,800 feet and 4,600 feet of elevation. These vineyards are among the highest-elevation vineyards in California. Located at the southern end of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the area consists of slopes, valleys, and rolling hills.
The Tehachapi Mountains AVA covers a total of 58,000 acres of land, and currently contains 7 commercial vineyards and approximately 25 acres of vines. At last count, the area had two wineries. Triassic Vineyards (located a few blocks away from the Adorable Alpaca Ranch) produces a range of interesting wines and boasts 7 acres of vineyards planted to Zinfandel, Viognier, Tempranillo and Syrah. Dorner Family Vineyards boasts a gorgeous wedding facility, a Tuscan-inspired tasting room, and several acres of Riesling and Zinfandel.
References/for more information:
- Establishment of the Tehachapi Mountains AVA
- Tehachapi Mountains AVA proposal
- Tehachapi Mountains AVA maps (submitted with proposal)
- https://triassicvineyards.com/
- https://www.adorablealpacas.com/
- https://dornerfamilyvineyard.com/our-wines/
- https://bakersfieldnow.com/news/local/tehachapi-mountains-now-a-wine-growing-designation
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org