Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau proposed to establish the 34,155-acre “Paulsell Valley” viticultural area in Stanislaus County, Calif. and the “Rocky Reach” AVA in parts of Chelan and Douglas Counties, Wash. The proposed Rocky Reach AVA is entirely within the existing Columbia Valley AVA.
The proposed Paulsell Valley was in response to a petition from Patrick Shabram on behalf of Rock Ridge Ranch. Within the proposed AVA, there are three commercial vineyards which cover a total of approximately 826 acres. The petition also notes that a fourth vineyard is planned for the proposed AVA and would contain an additional 700 acres of vines.
TTB received a petition from Dr. Kevin Pogue, a professor of geology at Whitman College, proposing to establish the “Rocky Reach” AVA. Dr. Pogue submitted the petition on behalf of local vineyard owners and winemakers. The proposed AVA is located in Chelan and Douglas Counties, Washington, and is entirely within the existing Columbia Valley AVA. The petition notes that although the proposed AVA covers 50 square miles, the Columbia River and the Rocky Reach Reservoir constitute approximately 24% of the total area. Within the proposed AVA, there are 7 commercial vineyards which cover a total of 117 acres.
Comment on both proposals are due Sept. 13.