Benmore Valley AVA

Benmore Valley AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1991[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofLake County
Other regions in Lake CountyBig Valley District-Lake County AVA, Clear Lake AVA, Guenoc Valley AVA, High Valley AVA, Kelsey Bench-Lake County AVA, Long Valley-Lake County AVA, Red Hills Lake County AVA, Upper Lake Valley AVA
Total area1,440 acres (583 ha)[1]
No. of vineyards0[2]
Commentsde facto defunct

Benmore Valley is an American Viticultural Area located in southwestern Lake County, California. The valley is named for Benjamin Moore, a local 19th century cattle rustler. The valley is a high depression in the mountains of southwestern Lake County, and is much cooler than surrounding areas.

The TTB filing in 1991 mentioned 125 acres of Chardonnay.[1] Most of the grapes last produced there were used by Geyser Peak Winery.[2]

As of February 2018, there are no wineries or planted vineyards left in the AVA, which is no longer marketed by Lake County winegrape growers.[3] The main crop in the area is now cannabis.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "§ 9.138 Benmore Valley" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved January 21, 2008.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b "Benmore Valley Wine", Wine Searcher, The only notable producer to previously use the region's grapes was the Geyser Peak Winery in Sonoma County, one of the oldest wineries in California.
  3. ^ "Lake County Appellations". Lake County Winegrowers Commission.
  4. ^ "Lake County Planning Commission may approve huge Benmore Valley cannabis farm". Lake County Record-Bee. 13 May 2020.

38°59′54″N 122°59′20″W / 38.9982°N 122.9890°W / 38.9982; -122.9890