[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16502-16506]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-8807]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
27 CFR Part 9
[Notice No. 848]
RIN 1512-AA07
Mendocino Ridge Viticultural Area
AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), is
considering the establishment of a viticultural area located within the
boundaries of Mendocino County, California to be known as ``Mendocino
Ridge,'' under 27 CFR part 9. This proposal is the result of a petition
submitted by Mr. Steve Alden on behalf of the Mendocino Ridge Quality
Alliance. The entire proposed area consists of about 262,400 acres or
approximately 410 square miles with the actual proposed ``Mendocino
Ridge'' viticultural area starting at the 1200 feet elevation line, and
encompassing all areas at or above 1200 feet in elevation. Because of
the 1200 foot elevation, this proposed area is unique from other
coastal viticultural areas. Of the total 262,400 acres, the petitioner
estimates that less than one-third, or 87,466 acres, lies above 1200
feet elevation. Of these 87,466 acres, the petitioner asserts that
approximately 1500 to 2000 acres or 2% of the narrow timber covered
ridge-tops are suitable for grape production. According to the
petitioner, there are approximately 75 acres of grapes currently
growing within the boundaries of the proposed viticultural area. This
75 acres of grapes is divided among six wineries.
DATES: Written comments must be received by May 22, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: Chief, Wine, Beer, and Spirits
Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, P.O. Box
50221, Washington, DC 20091-0221 (Attn: Notice No. 848). Copies of the
petition, the proposed regulations, the appropriate maps, and written
comments will be available for public inspection during normal business
hours at: ATF Public Reading Room, Office of Public Affairs and
Disclosure, Room 6480, 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David W. Brokaw, Wine, Beer and
Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms,
650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20226, (202) 927-8230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On August 23, 1978, ATF published Treasury Decision ATF-53 (43 FR
37672, 54624) revising regulations in 27 CFR part 4. These regulations
allow the establishment of definitive viticultural areas. The
regulations allow the name of an approved viticultural area to be used
as an appellation of origin on wine labels and in wine advertisements.
On October 2, 1979, ATF published Treasury Decision ATF-60 (44 FR
56692) which added a new part 9 to 27 CFR, providing for the listing of
approved American viticultural areas, the names of which may be used as
appellations of origin.
Section 4.25a(e)(1), Title 27, CFR, defines an American
viticultural area as a delimited grape-growing region distinguishable
by geographic features, the boundaries of which have been delineated in
subpart C of part 9.
Section 4.25a(e)(2), Title 27, CFR, outlines the procedure for
proposing an American viticultural area. Any interested person may
petition ATF to establish a grape-growing region as a viticultural
area. The petition should include:
(a) Evidence that the name of the proposed viticultural area is
locally and/or nationally known as referring to the area specified in
the petition;
(b) Historical or current evidence that the boundaries of the
viticultural area are as specified in the petition;
(c) Evidence relating to the geographical characteristics (climate,
soil, elevation, physical features, etc.) which distinguish the
viticultural features of the proposed area from surrounding areas;
(d) A description of the specific boundaries of the viticultural
area, based on features which can be found on United States Geological
Survey (U.S.G.S.) maps of the largest applicable scale, and;
(e) A copy (or copies) of the appropriate U.S.G.S. map(s) with the
proposed boundaries prominently marked.
Petition
Mr. Steve Alden of Alden Ranch Vineyards has petitioned ATF on
behalf of the Mendocino Ridge Quality Alliance to propose the
establishment of a new viticultural area located within the boundaries
of Mendocino County, California, to be known as ``Mendocino Ridge.''
There are currently six producing vineyards in the proposed ``Mendocino
Ridge'' viticultural area.
The evidence submitted by the petitioner is discussed in detail
below. Given the unusual nature of the proposed area, ATF is requesting
public comment on specific questions regarding the supporting evidence.
It should be noted that the proposed viticultural area would include
only the land above a certain elevation within the boundaries
described. Thus, ATF wishes to solicit public comment on the following
questions about the geographic distinctiveness of the non-contiguous
areas in the petition:
1. Do the non-contiguous sites in the proposed viticultural area
have such similar climate, soil, and other characteristics that they
can be considered as a single or common grape growing region?
2. Is the actual land included within the proposed viticultural
area at the 1200 feet (and above) elevation line reasonably
distinguishable from the adjacent land that is not included?
3. Does the totality of the geographic evidence regarding the
proposed viticultural area support the application of a reasonable
proximity rule to exclude widely scattered but otherwise similar
locations from being included within the proposed grape-growing region?
Evidence That the Name of the Area is Locally or Nationally Known
The petitioner asserts that, the name Mendocino Ridge has been
chosen as the name of the proposed viticultural area because the region
has been known as producing some of the best and most distinctive
Zinfandel wine in the world. In this regard, the petitioner asserts
that many books and magazines have historically referred to the
proposed viticultural area as the Mendocino Ridge. For example, in 1988
the winery, Kendall-Jackson, wrote: ``* * * the vines in the Mariah
vineyard are subject to the same complicated climatic variables that
have caused wine experts to hail the Mendocino Coastal Ridge as one of
the world's greatest Zinfandel regions.'' More recently, in an article
published in the February 1994 issue of Gourmet Magazine, wine writer
Gerald Asher wrote:
In Mendocino there's an equally wide divide between the tense
and concentrated Zinfandels produced from old vines planted by turn-
of-the-century Italian immigrants
[[Page 16503]]
who settled the exposed, high ridges between Anderson Valley and the
Pacific and the subtly urbane wines from vineyards almost as old but
planted in milder and better-protected sites around Ukiah and in the
adjacent McDowell and Redwood valleys. (Emphasis added)
The petitioner further notes that Jed Steele started to make wine
from old Mendocino Ridge Zinfandel vines at the Edmeades Vineyard &
Winery in Anderson Valley in the early 1970's. Again, the petitioner
cites Gerald Asher:
``The revival of California Zinfandel as a serious varietal wine
began with the rediscovery of forgotten patches of old vines such as
those on the Mendocino Ridge, most of them tucked away among
hillside orchards.''
The petitioner claims that the six vineyards within the proposed
``Mendocino Ridge'' are known by locals and wine writers as the
``Mendocino Ridge'' vineyards and that the area encompasses many named
coastal ridges; i.e., McGuire Ridge, Zeni Ridge, Phelps Ridge, Signal
Ridge, Campbell Ridge, German Ridge, Hanes Ridge, Adams Ridge, Cliff
Ridge, Greenwood Ridge, McAllister Ridge, Brandt Ridge, Lambert Ridge,
Mariah Ridge, Fleming Ridge, Mikes Ridge, Yellow Hound Ridge, Johnny
Woodin Ridge, and Hog Ranch Ridge, Hog Pen Ridge, Steve's Ridge, Ponds
Ridge, Brytan Ridge, and Pearly Ridge. According to the petitioner, the
area also encompasses various ``mountain peaks''; i.e., Cold Spring
Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Bald Hill Dry Bridge Mountain, Eureka Hill,
Gualala Mountain, Red Rock Mountain, Snook Mountain and Rockpile Peak.
The petitioner notes that these ``mountain peaks'' are generally no
higher than points on the ridge and that these ridges and peaks create
the water shed for the Gualala River, Garcia River, Alder Creek, Elk
Creek, Greenwood Creek, and the Navarro River. The proposed ``Mendocino
Ridge'' viticultural area encompasses only ridge-tops which reach an
elevation of 1200 feet or higher in the Coastal Zone of southwestern
Mendocino County. The proposed boundary encompasses approximately 410
square miles or about 262,400 acres which was necessary to include the
numerous ridge-tops comprising the grape growing areas. The petitioner
stated that to his knowledge no grapes are being grown at the lower
elevations below the 1200 foot coastal fog line.
Historical or Current Evidence That the Boundaries of the Proposed
Viticultural Area are as Specified in the Petition
The petitioner states that, ``(m)any articles have been written in
prestigious wine periodicals and books over the years about the unique
and distinctive wines produced from grapes grown within the `Mendocino
Ridge' proposed viticultural area.'' For example, the petitioner cites
Making Sense of California Wine by Matt Kramer (1992, William Morrow
and Co., N.Y.) in which he states:
There aren't many ridge vineyards but, as Spencer Tracy said in
Pat and Mike, ``What's there is cherce.'' Even more unexpected is
the grape variety: Zinfandel. Such ridge vineyards as Ciapusci
Vineyard, Mariah Vineyard, Zeni Vineyard, and DuPratt Vineyard
create some of the greatest Zinfandels in California. All are found
between 1,400 feet and 2,400 feet in elevation. Jed Steele, the
former winemaker for Kendall-Jackson, sought out these grapes and
demanded an audience for them. The winery continues to issue named-
vineyard Zinfandels from several of these vineyards, all of them
extraordinary. (Id. at 218, emphasis added)
The petitioner also cited from Coastal Ridge Zinfandel, by Jed
Steele Ridge Review, Volume V, No. 1 (1995, The Ridgetimes Press,
Mendocino, CA). On page 7 it states:
That certain grape varieties, grown in specific geographical
locations, produce distinctive wines that are sought after by
appreciators of fine wine is a given phenomenon in the world of
viticulture and enology. Illustrations of such situations are Pinot
Noir when grown in Burgundy, the White Riesling when grown in the
Mosel Valley of Germany, and the Cabernet Sauvignon when grown in
the Rutherford-Oakville region of the Napa Valley. Zinfandel, when
grown in the Coastal range of Mendocino County, roughly between the
points where the Navarro River and Gualala River empty into the
ocean, is in my mind such a classic match of grape variety with a
particular climate, one that leads to the ultimate in winemaking
fruit. (Emphasis added)
As further evidence of historic boundaries, the petitioner claims
that, the cultivation of vineyards in the Mendocino Ridge began with
the first Italian settlers, who came to the area in the late 1800's to
peel tan bark. These Italian immigrants brought with them their grapes
of choice: Zinfandel, Alicante-Bouschet, Carignane, Muscat, Palomino,
and Malvasia. At one time, before Prohibition, it has been estimated
that Greenwood Ridge had some 250 acres of vineyards and Fish Rock Road
had another 150 acres of vineyards. According to the petitioner,
Italian immigrant families with names like Luccinetti, Pearli, Gianoli,
Ciapusci, Soldani, and Zeni homesteaded and planted vines along Fish
Rock Road as early as the 1860's. Other Italian immigrants with names
like Frati, Tovani, Giusti, Pronsolino, and Giovanetti homesteaded
along Greenwood Ridge around the same time. The following statement by
Matt Kramer in Making Sense of California Wine (1992) is cited by the
petitioner in support of this claim:
The planting of these higher-elevation vineyards is due entirely
to an influx of Italian immigrants * * * in the 1890's * * * In
Italy, as elsewhere in Europe, grapes were found to perform better
on hillsides than on valley floors. Considering their grapes of
choice--Zinfandel, Alicante-Bouschet, Carignan, Muscat, Palomino,
and Malvasia--they were right. None of these sun-loving varieties
could have prospered in the cool, frost-prone Anderson Valley floor.
But once above the fog, the sunshine is uninterrupted. The ridge
sites rarely see the spring frosts. (Id. at 218)
The petitioner states that Prohibition came and many of these
vineyards were removed. Of these original vineyards planted by the
Italian immigrants, three have survived and still produce award winning
wines to this day. According to the petitioner, both the Ciapusci and
Zeni vineyards are still tended and owned by the original families on
Fish Rock Road. On Greenwood Ridge Road, the DuPratt vineyard planted
in 1916 is producing world class Zinfandel according to the petitioner.
In addition, the petitioner states that the Zeni's, Ciapusci's, and
DuPratt's all had wineries at their vineyards. Part of the Ciapusci's
winery is still standing and parts of an old wine press can be found at
the DuPratt vineyard site. The petitioner states that tunnels used for
storing wine can be found burrowed into the mountain at the Zeni
Vineyard. Three other vineyards, Mariah Vineyards, Greenwood Ridge
Vineyards, and Alden Ranch Vineyards have been planted in the past 25
years according to the petitioner.
Evidence Relating to the Geographical Features (Climate, Soil,
Elevation, Physical Features, etc.) Which Distinguish the Viticultural
Features of the Proposed Area From Surrounding Areas
According to the petitioner, the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge,''
viticultural area is shaped like a bulging triangle with its northern
apex less than a mile wide at the mouth of the Navarro River. The
southern base of the triangle is approximately 15 miles wide as it runs
along the Mendocino/Sonoma County line. From north to south the
proposed area is 36 miles long. A small segment of the proposed
viticultural area overlaps the Anderson Valley viticultural area along
its northeastern boundary. The petitioner asserts that this segment has
been included in the
[[Page 16504]]
proposed ``Mendocino Ridge'' viticultural area because it is
climatically, geologically and enologically the same as the proposed
``Mendocino Ridge'' area. Again, the petitioner cites Matt Kramer In
Making Sense of California Wine (1992). On page 218 he states:
Actually, the Anderson Valley is more complicated yet.
Everything so far described applies to what might be called Anderson
Valley bas. There's also an Anderson Valley haut. The AVA really
contains another, hidden appellation. Although not recognized as an
AVA, it should be. This ``hidden'' appellation is the vineyards
above the fog line, locally known as the ``ridge vineyards.'' The
name is apt: They are found on ridgelines above fourteen hundred
feet in elevation. Technically, these vineyards are Anderson Valley
AVA. In reality, they are their own world: more sun, no fog, yet
subject to the cooling temperatures that come with higher elevation.
(Emphasis added)
According to the petitioner, the grape growing region of the
proposed viticultural area encompasses the coastal ridge above the 1200
feet elevation entirely within the Coastal Zone in the southwest corner
of Mendocino County, California. Less than one third of the entire
proposed area, or 87,466 acres, lies above 1200 feet elevation. Of
these 87,466 acres, approximately 1500 to 2000 acres or 2% of the
narrow timber covered ridge-tops are suitable for grape production
according to the petitioner. There are approximately 75 acres of grapes
currently growing within the boundaries of the proposed viticultural
area. These 75 acres are located in isolated pockets carved out of
dense redwood and douglas fir forest along the ridge-tops above the
coastal fog line. The petitioner further asserts that summer mornings
are characterized by lakes of fog with the ridge-tops protruding like
small islands soaking up the cool morning sun.
Topography
According to the petitioner, the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge'' area
is characterized by narrow irregular ridges that have a high elevation
point of 2736 feet at Cold Spring Mountain. The side-slopes are steep
and timber covered, with slopes often exceeding 70%, making these areas
unplantable. Because of the steepness and narrowness of the ridge-tops,
farmable acreage is at a premium. Rarely, in the proposed viticultural
area, does a ridge-top vineyard exceed 30 acres in one continuous
block.
According to the petitioner, the ``Mendocino Ridge'' terrain can be
sharply contrasted with the surrounding areas. To the west is the
Pacific Ocean. To the northeast is the valley lowlands of the Anderson
Valley viticultural area. The grapes grown in this area are planted in
the fertile alluvial soils along the Navarro River. To the southeast
are the long, sloping, hillsides of the Yorkville benchland area.
Grapes grown in this area have been traditionally planted on the bottom
lands and on the hillside benches to the east of Highway 128. To the
south is the Sonoma/Mendocino County line and the Sonoma Coast
viticultural area.
Soils
The petitioner states that, ``(t)he soils are unique to this
triangle of rugged, timber-covered ridgetop area and have been shown to
be distinct from the surrounding area's soils. Climatically, this area
sits entirely within the Coastal Zone and receives the cooling
influences of the Pacific Ocean which surround these ridges and peaks
with fog, making these ridges into cool, sun-soaked islands in the sky.
The `Mendocino Ridge' also receives a significantly greater amount of
annual rainfall than the surrounding areas.''
The petitioner further asserts that the soils within the proposed
``Mendocino Ridge'' viticultural area have been identified by the Soil
Conservation Service in a National Cooperative Soil Survey, a joint
effort of the United States Department of Agriculture and other Federal
agencies, State agencies including the Agricultural Experiment Stations
and local agencies.
According to the petitioner, the proposed area is dominated by
timber type soils and is clearly separated from surrounding soils at
the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge'' boundary. To the west is the Pacific
Ocean. To the northeast are the fertile alluvial valley soils of the
Anderson Valley and to the southeast are the upland grass range soils
of the Yorkville area. To the south is the county line and the Sonoma
Coast Appellation.
Moreover, the petitioner states that the proposed ``Mendocino
Ridge'' viticultural area is dominated by soils that fall into the
general soil category of Ustic-isomesic type soils. These soils lie
mainly between 500 feet and 2000 feet elevation within the zone of
coastal influence. The soil does receive some moisture added by the
tree canopy which causes water to precipitate from the fog. However,
the fog influence is less pronounced at the upper elevations. It is
less dense and does not blanket this zone as frequently as at the lower
elevations. The soils are dry for part of the summer and there is
little variation between summer and winter soil temperatures at 20
inches of depth. Redwood is the most reliable indicator of this zone.
Redwood can often comprise from 15 to 50 percent of the tree canopy
with douglass fir, tanoak, and Pacific madrone being the other dominant
species. The understory vegetation is often a dense thicket of
California huckleberry and tanoak.
The specific soil types that dominate the proposed ``Mendocino
Ridge'' viticultural area are identified by the petitioner as follows:
1. Zeni
This soil is moderately deep and well drained fine-loamy type soil.
Typically, the loam surface layer is underlain by a loam subsoil. Soft
sandstone is at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. Slopes range from 9 to 75
percent. The vegetation is mainly Douglas fir and redwood. Average pH
is 5.7.
2. Yellowhound
This soil is deep and well drained. Typically, the gravelly loam
surface is underlain by an extremely gravelly loam subsoil. Hard
sandstone is at a depth of 40 to 60 inches. Slopes range from 9 to 100
percent. The vegetation is mainly Douglas fir and redwood. Average pH
is 5.6.
3. Ornbaun
This subsoil is deep and well drained, with little or no seasonal
fluctuation in soil temperature. Typically, the loam surface layer is
underlain by a loam and clay loam subsoil. Soft sandstone is found
underneath at a depth of 40 to 60 inches. This soil occurs on hilly and
mountainous uplands with slopes of 9 to 75 percent. The vegetation is
mainly Douglas fir and redwood. Average pH is not available.
4. Gube
This soil is moderately deep, well drained soil formed in material
weathered from sandstone. Gube soils are on mountains and have slopes
of 30 to 75 percent. The vegetation is mainly Douglas fir and redwood.
Average pH is 5.4.
5. Fish Rock
This soil is a shallow, well drained soil formed in material
weathered from sandstone or mudstone. Fish Rock soils are on ridgetops
and upper sideslopes of coastal hills and mountains and have slopes of
2 to 30 percent. The vegetation is mainly Douglas fir and redwood.
Average pH is 4.8.
6. Snook Series
This soil is a very shallow, somewhat excessively drained soil
formed in material weathered from sandstone and
[[Page 16505]]
shale. Snook soils are on mountains and have slopes of 30 to 75
percent. The vegetation is mainly Douglas fir and redwood. Average pH
is 5.6.
7. Kibesillah
This soil consists of moderately deep, well drained soils formed in
material weathered from sandstone. Kibesillah soils are on hills and
mountains and have slopes of 9 to 100 percent. The vegetation is mainly
Douglas fir and redwood. Average pH is 5.5
The petitioner contrasts the above soils with the soils to the
northeast and southeast of the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge''
viticultural area. Along the northeast border of the proposed
``Mendocino Ridge'' viticultural area are the deep alluvial soils of
the Anderson Valley and Mendocino viticultural area bottom land. These
fertile soils were identified by the USDA soil conservation service of
the Mendocino County bottom lands completed in 1973. These soils are:
CeB, Cole Clay Loam Wet; JaF, Jesephine Loam; TaC, Talmadge; Gravelly
Sandy Loam; SeB, San Ysidro Loam; EdA, Esparto Silt Loam, Wet; PbC,
Pinole Gravelly Loam; MdB, Maywood Sandy Loam, occasionally flooded
and; FcA, Fluvents, frequently flooded. Along the southeast border of
the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge'' viticultural area are the Xeric-mesic
soils of the Yorkville corridor east of Highway 128 along the sweeping,
grassy, oak studded slopes. These soils are grass, oak, and brush
covered. The Yorkville soils are subject to little or no coastal
influence, unlike the soils in the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge''
viticultural area which are dominated by the coastal influence. Soils
are usually dry from early June to October. The soil temperature at 20
inches in depth varies by more than 9 degrees between summer and winter
unlike the Ustic-isomestic soils of the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge''
viticultural area which do not vary. The vegetation types commonly
found on Xeric-mesic soils are interior live oak, California black oak,
Oregon white oak, Eastwood manzanita, toyon rose, bedstraw and annual
bromes. The petition contrasts the specific Xeric-mesic type soils of
the Yorkville upland area with the soils in the proposed ``Mendocino
Ridge'' viticultural area.
In summary, the soils of the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge''
viticultural area are dominated by ``timber'' type soils with redwood,
Douglas fir, tanoak, and Pacific madrone being the dominant vegetation.
These soils are well drained and have little or no summer to winter
soil temperature variations. In contrast, the soils of the surrounding
areas are the deep alluvial Anderson Valley soils to the northeast and
the upland rangeland soils of the Yorkville area to the southwest.
Climate
The petitioner notes that the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge''
viticultural area lies entirely within the Coastal Climate Zone as
defined by The Climate Of Mendocino County, a booklet published by the
Mendocino County Farm and Home Advisors Office. The Coastal Climate
Zone is cooled by the ocean influence of the Pacific. This Zone is
continuous from north to south along the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge''
boundary and is commonly referred to as the redwood belt. The area is
dominated by the influence of the Pacific Ocean at its western border
throughout the year, unlike the area to the east of the proposed area
which is within the Transitional Climate Zone. ``Transitional'' means
the area's climate is subject to both the ocean's cooling influences
and the warmth of the interior areas at different times of the year.
The ``Mendocino Ridge'' viticultural area is unique from other
coastal viticultural areas because of its elevation of 1200 feet or
higher. According to the petitioner, the elevation line being at
approximately the fog line means that while the valleys may be full of
coastal fog, the vineyards are fully exposed to the sun while receiving
the cooling influences of the fog.
The proposed ``Mendocino Ridge'' area has both a rainy and dry
season of moderate temperature. The rainy season occurs from November
through May. The petitioner states that the average annual temperature
for the area is about 53 degrees F., and the average annual
precipitation is 75+ inches a year. Because of the area's coastal
influence the average length of the growing season is from 275 to 300
days.
The petitioner claims that the climate in the adjacent growing
regions are strikingly different. In the Yorkville Area, east of
Highway 128, long, sweeping slopes lie within the Transitional Climatic
Zone, receiving much more sun and inland weather influences. These
inland weather influences mean the Yorkville area's average
temperatures are cooler in the winter and hotter in the summer and the
growing season is shorter, averaging between 250 and 275 days in
length. The average annual precipitation is only 49.46 inches a year.
Source: The Climate of Mendocino County, Mendocino County Farm and Home
Advisors Office, page 10. With regard to Anderson Valley, it lies under
the fog layer, receiving fewer sunlight hours than the proposed
``Mendocino Ridge,'' grape growing areas which are entirely above the
fogline. The average annual precipitation is only 40.68 inches a year.
Source: The Climate of Mendocino County, Mendocino County Farm and Home
Advisors Office, page 10.
Proposed Boundaries
The boundary lines of the proposed ``Mendocino Ridge'' viticultural
area closely follow the line of Coastal Zone influence, above 1200 feet
elevation in the southwest corner of Mendocino County, California. The
boundaries of the proposed area may be found on the following U.S.
Department of Interior Geological Survey 15 minute series Quadrangle
maps: Ornbaun Valley Quadrangle, California, 1960, Navarro Quadrangle,
California, 1961, Point Arena Quadrangle, California, 1960, Boonville
Quadrangle, California, 1959.
Public Participation-Written Comments
ATF requests comments from all interested persons. Comments
received on or before the closing date will be carefully considered.
Comments received after that date will be given the same consideration
if it is practical to do so. However, assurance of consideration can
only be given to comments received on or before the closing date.
ATF will not recognize any submitted material as confidential and
comments may be disclosed to the public. Any material which the
commenter considers to be confidential or inappropriate for disclosure
to the public should not be included in the comments. The name of the
person submitting a comment is not exempt from disclosure.
Comments may be submitted by facsimile transmission to (202) 927-
8602, provided the comments: (1) Are legible; (2) are 8\1/2\'' x 11''
in size, (3) contain a written signature, and (4) are three pages or
less in length. This limitation is necessary to assure reasonable
access to the equipment. Comments sent by FAX in excess of three pages
will not be accepted. Receipt of FAX transmittals will not be
acknowledged. Facsimile transmitted comments will be treated as
originals.
Any person who desires an opportunity to comment orally at a public
hearing on the proposed regulation should submit his or her request, in
writing, to the Director within the 45-day comment period. The
Director, however, reserves the right to determine, in light of all
circumstances, whether a public hearing will be held.
[[Page 16506]]
Paperwork Reduction Act
The provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980, Pub. L. 96-
511, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part
1320, do not apply to this notice because no requirement to collect
information is proposed.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
It is hereby certified that this proposed regulation will not have
a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. The
establishment of a viticultural area is neither an endorsement nor
approval by ATF of the quality of wine produced in the area, but rather
an identification of an area that is distinct from surrounding areas.
ATF believes that the establishment of viticultural areas merely allows
wineries to more accurately describe the origin of their wines to
consumers, and helps consumers identify the wines they purchase. Thus,
any benefit derived from the use of a viticultural area name is the
result of the proprietor's own efforts and consumer acceptance of wines
from that region.
Accordingly, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required
because the proposal, if promulgated as a final rule, is not expected
(1) to have significant secondary, or incidental effects on a
substantial number of small entities; or (2) to impose, or otherwise
cause a significant increase in the reporting, recordkeeping, or other
compliance burdens on a substantial number of small entities.
Executive Order 12866
It has been determined that this proposed regulation is not a
significant regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866.
Accordingly, this proposal is not subject to the analysis required by
this executive order.
Drafting Information
The principal author of this document is David W. Brokaw, Wine,
Beer, and Spirits Regulations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and
Firearms.
List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9
Administrative practices and procedures, Consumer protection,
Viticultural areas, and Wine.
Authority and Issuance
Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, part 9, American
Viticultural Areas, is proposed to be amended as follows:
PART 9--AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREAS
Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read
as follows:
Authority: 27 U.S.C. 205.
Subpart C--Approved American Viticultural Areas
Par. 2. Subpart C is amended by adding Sec. 9.152 to read as
follows:
* * * * *
Sec. 9.152 Mendocino Ridge.
(a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this
section is ``Mendocino Ridge.''
(b) Approved maps. The appropriate maps for determining the
boundary of the Mendocino Ridge viticultural area are four 1:62,500
scale U.S.G.S. topographical maps. They are titled:
(1) Ornbaun Valley Quadrangle, California, 15 minute series
topographic map, 1960.
(2) Navarro Quadrangle, California, 15 minute series topographic
map, 1961.
(3) Point Arena Quadrangle, California, 15 minute series
topographic map, 1960.
(4) Boonville Quadrangle, California, 15 minute series topographic
map, 1959.
(c) Boundary. The Mendocino Ridge viticultural area is located
within Mendocino County, California. Within the boundary description
that follows, the viticultural area starts at the 1200 foot elevation
(contour line) and encompasses all areas at or above the 1200 foot
elevation line. The boundaries of the Mendocino Ridge viticultural
area, using landmarks and points of reference found on appropriate
U.S.G.S. maps, follow.
(1) Beginning at the Mendocino/Sonoma County line at the mouth of
the Gualala River, where the Gualala River empties into the Pacific
Ocean, in section 27 of Township 11 North (T11N), Range 5 West (R5W),
located in the southeastern portion of U.S.G.S. 15 minute series map,
``Point Arena, California;''
(2) Then following the Mendocino/Sonoma County line eastward to the
southeast corner of section 8 in T11N/R13W, on the U.S.G.S. 15 minute
map, ``Ornbaun Valley, California;''
(3) Then from the southeast corner of section 8 in T11N/R13W
directly north approximately 3+ miles to the southwest corner of
section 9 in T12N/R13W;
(4) Then proceeding in a straight line in a northwesterly direction
to the southwestern corner of section 14 in T13N/R14W;
(5) Then directly north along the western line of section 14 in
T13N/R14W to a point on the western line of section 14 approximately 1/
4 from the top where the Anderson Valley viticultural area boundary
intersects the western line of section 14 in T13N/R14W;
(6) Then in a straight line, in a northwesterly direction, to the
intersection of an unnamed creek and the south section line of section
14, T14N/R15W, on the U.S.G.S. 15 minute series map, ``Boonville,
California;''
(7) Then in a westerly direction along the south section lines of
sections 14 and 15 in T14N/R15W to the southwest corner of section 15,
T14N/R15W, on the U.S.G.S. 15 minute series map, ``Navarro,
California;''
(8) Then in a northerly direction along the western section lines
of sections 15, 10, and 3 in T14N/R15W in a straight line to the
intersection of the Navarro River on the western section line of
section 3 in T14N/R15W;
(9) Then in a northwesterly direction along the Navarro River to
the mouth of the river where it meets the Pacific Ocean in section 5 of
T15N/R17W;
(10) Then in a southern direction along the Mendocino County
coastline to the Mendocino/Sonoma County line to the beginning point at
the mouth of the Gualala River in section 27 of T11N/R15W, on the
U.S.G.S. 15 minute series map, ``Point Arena, California.''
Signed: March 13, 1997.
John W. Magaw,
Director.
[FR Doc. 97-8807 Filed 4-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P