Wine region | |
Type | American Viticultural Area |
---|---|
Year established | 1984[1] |
Years of wine industry | 116[2] |
Country | United States |
Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, San Francisco Bay AVA, Santa Clara Valley AVA |
Precipitation (annual average) | less than 10 inches (254 mm)[3] |
Total area | 3,200 acres (5 sq mi)[1] |
Size of planted vineyards | 1984: 17 acres (7 ha)[1] |
No. of vineyards | 2[4] |
Grapes produced | Black Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Merlot, Zinfandel[4] |
Varietals produced | 1[4] |
Pacheco Pass is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in the Santa Clara and San Benito counties of California. It lies within the larger San Francisco Bay viticultural area. Pacheco Pass was established on April 11, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after evaluating the petition submitted by Mr. H.G. Zanger of Pacheco Pass Vineyard, later renamed "Zanger Vineyards", proposing an area near Hollister, California, as a viticultural area known as "Pacheco Pass."
The AVA is located at the southern entrance to Pacheco Pass, near the junction of State Routes 152, known locally as "Pacheco Pass Highway," and 156 which passes across the length of the AVA. There are about 17 acres (7 ha) of grapes planted during its recognition, and one operating bonded winery. The petitioner proposed new construction of a winery and additional vineyard acreage on land that he currently owns in the area.[1]