| San Benito | |
| Type: | American Viticultural Area |
| Year: | 1987[1] |
| Country: | United States |
| Part Of: | California, Central Coast AVA, San Benito County |
| Similar: | Gabilan Mountains AVA, Chalone AVA, Mt. Harlan AVA, Pacheco Pass AVA, San Francisco Bay AVA, Santa Clara Valley AVA |
| Sub Regions: | Cienega Valley AVA, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, Paicines AVA |
| Total Size: | 45000acres |
| Planted: | 3000acres[2] |
| Grapes: | Barbera, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Syrah, Tempranillo |
| Varietals: | 23 |
| Wineries: | 3 |
San Benito is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in San Benito County, California. It was established on November 4, 1987 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after evaluating the petition submitted by Almaden Vineyards, a winery and grape grower in the area, proposing that a portion of San Benito County be established as a viticultural area to be known as "San Benito."[1]
The viticultural area is located along and near the San Benito River, approximately 2miles south of Hollister. The area encompasses approximately 45000acres of which about 3000acres are cultivated. The petitioner stated that at least three major wineries were operating within the area, and that approximately 23 different varieties of winegrapes are grown there. San Benito AVA lies within the vast mulit-county Central Coast viticultural area and contains within its approved boundaries the established Paicines, Cienega Valley, and Lime Kiln Valley viticultural areas. San Benito has a moderate climate with cooling maritime breezes from the Pacific Ocean flowing through the gaps and valleys between the Gabilan Range and the Santa Lucia Mountains. The region was the principal source of grapes for Almaden Vineyards before the business was acquired by Constellation Brands in 1984.[1] [2]
There is historic association of the name "San Benito" with the new viticultural area. The SanBenito River flows through the area, and one of the principal streets of nearby Hollister was already called "San Benito Street" in 1874, when the surrounding territory, including the viticultural area, was organized as "San Benito County." The town of San Benito is about 15miles southeast of the area, and San Benito Mountain is about 30miles farther southeast, near the source of the San Benito River and the eastern boundary of San Benito County.[1]
The history of viticulture in the area was described by John P. Ohrwall in a talk given to the San Benito County Historical Society on July 29, 1965. A copy of the talk was submitted to ATF by the petitioner. In that talk, Mr. Ohrwall related that the first vineyard in San Benito County was planted near the new viticultural area by Theophile Vache in the early 1850's. Other vineyards were planted too, and the area where vineyards were sited became known locally as the "Vineyard District." Before the end of the nineteenth century, the vineyard planted by Vache had been named "San Benito Vineyard," and, under that name, wines made in the area "were said to have won prizes at various expositions and fairs, including some held in France and Italy" (quote from Ohrwall). Gradually, additional vineyards and wineries were established. In the 1950's, Almaden Vineyards arrived and began greatly expanding the area's grape acreage. Almaden soon became the dominant grape grower in the area. Unfortunately, the original vineyard planted by Theophile Vache is no longer in production, because the soil in that vicinity has become permeated with boron salts. Thus, the original "San Benito Vineyard" is excluded from the new viticultural area for a geographical reason, but the name that this vineyard gave to the area remains.[1]
The San Benito viticultural area is distinguished geographically from the surrounding areas, as follows:
Although there are some scattered grape plantings elsewhere is San Benito County, by far the preponderance of viticulture in that county is practiced in the viticultural area established by this ATF decision. According to the petition, 95 percent of the vinifera grapes from San Benito County are grown in this area. The other 5 percent are grown in other areas with different climates, according to the petitioner, who declared, "We are not aware of any other area within San Benito County that could be known as "San Benito" or that would have comparable climatic and growing conditions." ATF agrees with these assertions, since it appears likely that much of the other 5 percent of the vinifera in San Benito County is planted in the already-established Pacheco Pass viticultural area (located north of Hollister, straddling the border of San Benito and Santa Clara counties). Further evidence was offered by the petitioner, concerning its use of the name "San Benito" on wine labels. Since 1959, labels have appeared on wines of the petitioner, made from grapes from the viticultural area, indicating "San Benito" or "San Benito County" as the appellation of origin.[1]