394:. The area has a mean elevation of 1,650 feet (503 m) above sea level and drains into Bryant Canyon, Stonewell Canyon and Shirttail Gulch. The boundaries are as follows: to the south and west, the points at which the land drops off sharply to the Salinas Valley: to the north, the ridge line (watershed divide) effectively dividing Monterey and San Benito Counties, and the Gloria Valley on the other side, and, to the east, the western boundary of the Pinnacles National Monument. The area ranges in elevation from 1,400 to 2,000 feet (427–610 m) above sea level, with a mean elevation of 1,650 feet (503 m) above sea level. The surrounding area to the south and west is characterized by a steep drop to the Salinas Valley, which has a mean elevation of 300 feet (91 m) above sea leveL The area to the east, the Pinnacles National Monument, is unavailable for private agriculture. Except for the Gloria Valley (which is distinguishable from the viticultural area for other reasons), the area to the north rises to higher elevations than those found in the viticultural area. The petitioner claims that the differences in elevation between the Salinas Valley and the proposed area produce dramatic differences in climatic conditions.
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consumer confusion that would result if the proposed name was approved. Paragon
Vineyard submitted historical evidence which establishes the history of the name "Chalone" dating back to 1816 at which time the name referred to a division of the Costanoan family which lived in the area. Further evidence was submitted which claimed that the Pinnacles Monument was initially called Chalone Peaks prior to being designated as a
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307:, with 120 acres (49 ha) under vine. The petitioner stated that approximately 50 percent of the proposed area is plantable; however, due to the shortage of water for irrigation, the majority of the area was not being cultivated. In the final ruling, ATF believed that sufficient evidence was submitted which established historical and current use of the name “Chalone” for the viticultural area.
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effective on July 14, 1982 after reviewing the petition submitted by the
Gavilan Vineyards, Inc. to establish a viticultural area in Monterey and San Benito counties to be named "The Pinnacles." The area encompasses 8,640 acres (14 sq mi) and the proposed name was recognition of the nearby
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soil and significantly differ from soils of surrounding areas. Within the area, the soils primarily consist of
Miocene volcanic and Mesozoic granitic rocks, heavy in limestone deposits. The Salinas Valley to the south and west consists of alluvium and river terrace rocks, while the Gloria Valley to
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The climate of the
Salinas Valley is tempered by the cooling winds from Monterey Bay which form a thick fog layer that extends to an elevation of 1,000 feet (305 m). In summer the viticultural area is approximately 10 °F (−12 °C) warmer than the Salinas Valley because the former does
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Based upon testimony presented at a public hearing and submitted written comments, ATF concluded the proposed name, "The
Pinnacles", was inappropriate to designate the proposed viticultural area. This determination was arrived at because of trademark claims by another winery and the possibility of
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The limited rainfall and soil content of limestone and granite contribute to the rich bouquet found in
Chalone wines by limiting grape yields and optimizing drainage for the root system to maintain healthy vines and produce flavorful fruit.
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296:, the two most distinctive geographical features are the North and South Chalone Peaks. The western boundary of the national monument is the eastern boundary of the viticultural area. One of the
339:, when the grapes were used to make sacramental wines. Winegrowing, however, never became important in Monterey County because it was considered a “poor area” for viticulture. Strong winds off
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deterred the planting of wine grapes. During
Prohibition, only 400 acres (162 ha) of vineyards survived in Monterey County and this acreage was halved in the years following
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The viticultural area, as amended, consists of 8,640 acres (14 sq mi) of rolling land located on a geological bench in the
Gabilan (or Gavilan) Mountain Range of
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366:. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the quality of some California wines was outstanding but few took notice as the market favored French brands. At the legendary
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331:. He found a property in Monterey County which is currently Chalone Vineyard. On the north slope of Chalone Peak at 1,800 feet (550 m), Tamm planted
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the north is alluvial. The
Pinnacles National Monument, to the east, though similar in mineral deposits, is unavailable for private agriculture.
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The oldest producing vineyard in
Monterey County, Chalone Vineyard Estate rests on the Gavilan Mountain Range on the north slope of Chalone Peak
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maps submitted with the petition is entitled "North Chalone Peak." Chalone Creek encircles the viticultural area on the north and east.
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In the early 1960s, the modern era of viticulture took root and Monterey County gained prominence as a
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where it is the second established AVA. Chalone viticultural area is located in the
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Chalone boasts the oldest producing vines in Monterey County. In 1919, French
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631:(Chalone's arid, rocky landscape has retained a reputation for great wines)
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At the outset, the proposed viticultural area contained one winery,
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on May 24th, Chalone Vineyard's 1974 Chardonnay ranked 3rd in the
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658:"Wine Talk; Vineyard That Attracted a Special Breed of Winemaker"
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This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
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This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the
323:, Charles L. Tamm, traveled through California searching for the
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not receive the cooling winds and fog cover from Monterey Bay.
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American Viticultural Areas of San Benito County, California
378:. The identical vintage ranked 1st in a repeat event at the
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American Viticultural Areas of Monterey County, California
518:. Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. 2024.
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Appelation that designates wine in Monterey County, CA
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South and North Chalone Peaks from Chalone Peak Trail
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736:. Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association
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628:"Chalone: Monterey County's unlikely appellation"
374:category scored predominantly by renown French
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599:Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
481:Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
276:Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF)
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327:with limestone soil similar to his native
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705:"The Day California Wines Came of Age"
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547:from the original on August 29, 2018.
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656:Prial, Frank J. (January 28, 1998).
626:May, Meredith (September 13, 2013).
537:"Chalone (AVA): Appellation Profile"
512:"AVAS (American Viticultural Areas)"
824:. You can help Knowledge (XXG) by
401:The soils of the Chalone area has
380:San Francisco Wine Tasting of 1978
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886:1982 establishments in California
292:. Within the area covered by the
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252:American Viticultural Area (AVA)
173:8,640 acres (14 sq mi)
703:Peterson, Thane (May 8, 2001).
584:"Arroyo Seco Viticultural Area"
605:: 16842–16847. April 15, 1983.
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487:: 25517–25519. June 14, 1982.
335:sourcing for wineries during
787:36.47073491°N 121.22975800°W
637:. Hearst Communications, Inc
343:and the arid climate of the
274:. It was recognized by the
464:"Chalone Viticultural Area"
294:Pinnacles National Monument
262:straddling its border with
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792:36.47073491; -121.22975800
368:Paris Wine Tasting of 1976
52:American Viticultural Area
178:Size of planted vineyards
135:Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
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587:(27 CFR 9 Final rule)
467:(27 CFR 9 Final rule)
181:300 acres (121 ha)
689:. September 13, 2013.
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66:Years of wine industry
734:Monterey Wine Country
516:Monterey Wine Country
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364:wine-producing region
250:identifies the first
126:Gabilan Mountains AVA
102:Gabilan Mountains AVA
718:on October 18, 2007.
345:Salinas River Valley
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541:Appellation America
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668:on August 9, 2013.
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392:Central California
279:Chalone peaks.
891:Wine region stubs
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353:Almaden Vineyards
290:national monument
268:Gabilan Mountains
264:San Benito County
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122:San Benito County
114:Central Coast AVA
108:Other regions in
98:San Benito County
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305:Chalone Vineyard
254:established in
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161:rocks, heavy in
58:Year established
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256:Monterey County
197:Grapes produced
145:Soil conditions
139:San Bernabe AVA
118:Monterey County
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559:"Chalone Wine"
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738:. Retrieved
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341:Monterey Bay
333:Chenin Blanc
321:entrepreneur
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205:Chenin blanc
189:of vineyards
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18:
818:wine region
790: /
778:121°13′47″W
764:TTB AVA Map
568:January 24,
337:Prohibition
238:of wineries
213:Pinot blanc
29:Wine region
865:Categories
775:36°28′15″N
740:January 4,
641:January 1,
437:References
376:oenophiles
372:white wine
260:California
225:Sangiovese
217:Pinot noir
201:Chardonnay
170:Total area
110:California
86:California
403:limestone
317:immigrant
163:limestone
603:Treasury
545:Archived
543:. 2007.
485:Treasury
425:See also
329:Burgundy
298:U.S.G.S.
270:east of
221:Marsanne
209:Grenache
165:deposits
159:granitic
156:Mesozoic
152:volcanic
730:"About"
479:(114).
407:granite
386:Terroir
325:terroir
311:History
272:Soledad
248:Chalone
149:Miocene
82:Part of
74:Country
22:Chalone
635:SFGate
597:(74).
349:Repeal
283:Naming
816:This
229:Syrah
822:stub
742:2024
643:2024
570:2024
355:and
319:and
154:and
61:1982
48:Type
236:No.
187:No.
69:105
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
