Establishment of the Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse Viticultural Areas, 40404-40417 [E6-11079]

Download as PDF 40404 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations The Regulatory Amendment For the reasons discussed in the preamble, we amend 27 CFR, chapter 1, part 9, as follows: I PART 9—AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREAS 1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows: I Authority: 27 U.S.C. 205. Subpart C—Approved American Viticultural Areas 2. Subpart C is amended by adding § 9.202 to read as follows: I rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES § 9.202 Eola-Amity Hills. (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this section is ‘‘EolaAmity Hills’’. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, ‘‘Eola-Amity Hills’’ is a term of viticultural significance. (b) Approved maps. The appropriate maps for determining the boundary of the Eola-Amity Hills viticultural area are six United States Geological Survey 1:24,000 scale topographic maps. They are titled— (1) Rickreall, Oregon, 1969, photorevised 1976; (2) Salem West, Oregon, 1969, photorevised 1986; (3) Mission Bottom, Oregon, 1957, revised 1993; (4) Dayton, Oregon, 1957, revised 1992; (5) McMinnville, Oregon, 1957, revised 1992; and (6) Amity, Oregon, 1957, revised 1993. (c) Boundary. The Eola-Amity Hills viticultural area is located in the State of Oregon, within Polk and Yamhill Counties, and is entirely within the Willamette Valley viticultural area. The area’s boundary is defined as follows— (1) The beginning point is on the Rickreall, Oregon, map, at the intersection of State Highways 22 and 223; (2) From the beginning point, proceed east on State Highway 22 to its intersection with Doaks Ferry Road on the Salem West, Oregon, map; then (3) Proceed northeast on Doaks Ferry Road to its intersection with the 200foot contour line southeast of Gibson Gulch, in section 65; then (4) Follow the 200-foot contour line in a westerly loop until it rejoins Doaks Ferry Road; then (5) Continue north on Doaks Ferry Road to its intersection with State Highway 221; then (6) Continue north on State Highway 221 to its intersection with the 200-foot contour line at the point where the VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 contour line departs from Highway 221 and runs southwest along the southern edge of Spring Valley (section 53 on the Mission Bottom, Oregon, map); then (7) Follow the 200-foot contour line first south onto the Salem West, Oregon, map, then northwest around the southern and western edge of Spring Valley and back on to the Mission Bottom, Oregon, map; then (8) Continue to follow the 200-foot contour line generally north on the Mission Bottom, Oregon, map, crossing onto and back from the Amity, Oregon, map and continue past the Yamhill County line and onto the Dayton, Oregon, map; then (9) Follow the 200-foot contour line from the Dayton, Oregon, map onto the McMinnville, Oregon, map and back to the Dayton, Oregon, map and continue around the northeast edge of the Amity Hills spur of the Eola Hills; then (10) Follow the 200-foot contour line onto the McMinnville, Oregon, map as it continues around the northern and western periphery of the Amity Hills spur; then (11) Follow the 200-foot contour line onto the Amity, Oregon, map as it heads first south, then generally southeast, then generally south, along the western edge of the Eola Hills until it intersects Old Bethel Road at a point just north of the Polk County line; then (12) Follow Old Bethel Road, which becomes Oak Grove Road, south until it intersects with the 200-foot contour line just northwest of the township of Bethel; then (13) Follow the 200-foot contour line around in a southeasterly loop until it again intersects Oak Grove Road where Oak Grove and Zena Roads intersect; then (14) Follow Oak Grove Road south until it intersects with Frizzell Road; then (15) Follow Frizzell Road west for three-tenths mile until it intersects with the 200-foot contour line; then (16) Follow the 200-foot contour line generally south until it intersects with the beginning point. Signed: May 9, 2006. John J. Manfreda, Administrator. Approved: June 15, 2006. Timothy E. Skud, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy). [FR Doc. E6–11077 Filed 7–14–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–31–P PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau 27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. TTB–50; Re: Notice No. 50] RIN 1513–AA82 thru 1513–AA88 Establishment of the Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse Viticultural Areas Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury. ACTION: Final rule; Treasury decision. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This Treasury decision establishes seven new viticultural areas within the boundary of the existing Lodi viticultural area, which lies within southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Counties in California. The seven new areas are Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse. We designate viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase. DATES: Effective Dates: August 16, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: N. A. Sutton, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Regulations and Rulings Division, 925 Lakeville St., No. 158, Petaluma, CA 94952; telephone 415–271–1254. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background on Viticultural Areas TTB Authority Section 105(e) of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (the FAA Act, 27 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) requires that alcohol beverage labels provide consumers with adequate information regarding product identity and prohibits the use of misleading information on those labels. The FAA Act also authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations to carry out its provisions. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) administers these regulations. Part 4 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 4) allows the establishment of definitive viticultural areas and the use of their names as appellations of origin on wine labels and in wine advertisements. Part 9 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 9) contains the list of approved viticultural areas. E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations Definition Section 4.25(e)(1)(i) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(1)(i)) defines a viticultural area for American wine as a delimited grape-growing region distinguishable by geographical features, the boundaries of which have been recognized and defined in part 9 of the regulations. These designations allow vintners and consumers to attribute a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic of a wine made from grapes grown in an area to its geographical origin. The establishment of viticultural areas allows vintners to describe more accurately the origin of their wines to consumers and helps consumers to identify wines they may purchase. Establishment of a viticultural area is neither an approval nor an endorsement by TTB of the wine produced in that area. Requirements Section 4.25(e)(2) of the TTB regulations outlines the procedure for proposing an American viticultural area and provides that any interested party may petition TTB to establish a grapegrowing region as a viticultural area. Section 9.3(b) of the TTB regulations requires the petition to include— • Evidence that the proposed viticultural area is locally and/or nationally known by the name specified in the petition; • Historical or current evidence that supports setting the boundary of the proposed viticultural area as the petition specifies; • Evidence relating to the geographical features, such as climate, soils, elevation, and physical features, that distinguish the proposed viticultural area from surrounding areas; • A description of the specific boundary of the proposed viticultural area, based on features found on United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps; and • A copy of the appropriate USGS map(s) with the proposed viticultural area’s boundary prominently marked. Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse Viticultural Area Petitions and Rulemaking Lodi American Viticultural Areas Steering Committee Petitions The Lodi American Viticultural Areas (LAVA) Steering Committee petitioned TTB to establish seven new viticultural areas within the boundary of the existing Lodi viticultural area (27 CFR 9.107) in southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Counties in California. The seven LAVA Steering Committee petitions proposed the creation of the Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse viticultural areas. The 16 wine industry members that comprise the committee stated that their proposal subdivides the existing Lodi area into ‘‘seven smaller viticultural areas of distinction.’’ The establishment of the seven proposed viticultural areas would not in any way affect the existing 551,500-acre Lodi viticultural area. The Lodi area will continue as a single American viticultural area within its current boundary. However, TTB notes that the seven proposed areas fall entirely within the 458,000 acres of the original 1986 boundary of the Lodi viticultural area and thus, as proposed, would not include any of the 93,500 acres added to the Lodi area when it was expanded along its western and southern borders in 2002. (See T.D. ATF–223, published in the Federal Register at 51 FR 5324 on February 13, 1986, for the Lodi viticultural area as originally defined. See T.D. ATF–482, published in the Federal Register at 67 FR 56481 on September 4, 2002, for the Lodi area expansion in 2002.) The Seven Proposed Viticultural Areas—Background Location The proposed Cosumnes River, Alta Mesa, and Sloughhouse viticultural areas lie, respectively, in the northwestern, north-central, and northeastern portions of the existing Lodi viticultural area and are entirely within Sacramento County. The proposed Clements Hills and rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Alta Mesa .............................................................................................................................. Borden Ranch ....................................................................................................................... Clements Hills ....................................................................................................................... VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Mokelumne River areas cover, respectively, the southeastern and southwestern portions of the existing Lodi viticultural area and are entirely within San Joaquin County. The proposed Borden Ranch and Jahant areas cover, respectively, the eastcentral and central portions of the existing Lodi viticultural area and lie in portions of both Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties. The Cosumnes River flows southwest across the Sacramento County portion of the Lodi viticultural area and crosses the proposed Sloughhouse, Alta Mesa and Cosumnes River viticultural areas. The Cosumnes River joins the Mokelumne River, which flows west, then northwest, through the San Joaquin County portion of the Lodi area. The Mokelumne River crosses the proposed Clements Hills and Mokelumne River viticultural areas, and forms a portion of the southwestern boundary of the proposed Jahant area. Neither river touches the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area. Summary of Distinguishing Features According to the LAVA Steering Committee petition, climate data—such as temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns—outline the distinctive microclimates of the seven proposed viticultural areas. To varying degrees, the petition notes, the Lodi viticultural area’s climate is affected by its inland San Joaquin valley location between the Sierra Nevada Range to the east and the Sacramento Delta, with its Pacific coast marine influence, to the west. Differences in topography, elevation, and soils also help to distinguish the seven proposed areas from one another, according to the petition. In addition, the LAVA Committee uses the Storie Index (Huntington, 1992) to rate the agricultural potential of the soils within the seven proposed viticultural areas. This index ranges from 100 points for highly suitable soils to 0 points for unsuitable soils. The petition notes that Storie Index ratings for the seven proposed areas range from 95 to 15 points. The table below lists the general features of each of the seven proposed viticultural areas as outlined in the LAVA Steering Committee petition: Total acreage Name of proposed viticultural area Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 40405 Relative growing season length* 55,400 70,000 85,400 E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 3 2 2 17JYR1 Storie (soil) index 25–40 15–30 15–30 Location within the Lodi viticultural area North-central. East-central. Southeast. 40406 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations Total acreage Name of proposed viticultural area Cosumnes River ................................................................................................................... Jahant ................................................................................................................................... Mokelumne River .................................................................................................................. Sloughhouse ......................................................................................................................... Relative growing season length* 54,700 28,000 85,700 78,800 2 1 1 4 Storie (soil) index 24–40 25–40 80–95 15–30 Location within the Lodi viticultural area Northwest. Central. Southwest. Northeast. * 1 = coolest; 4 = warmest. In addition, the LAVA Steering Committee petition provided an overview of each proposed viticultural area’s grape-growing environment, which we outline in this table: Proposed viticultural area Description Alta Mesa ............................. Intermediate-elevation river terraces and fans; prairie environment; San Joaquin soil series of intermediate age; heavy, red, clay loams; slightly warmer and less windy climate than the lowlands to the west; primarily red grape varietals. High elevations, very old river terraces and hills; oldest valley floor soils; vernal pools and prairie mound environment with high ridges; windy, and warmer, and wetter climate than lowlands to the west; primarily red grape varietals. High-elevation river terraces and hills with older soils and volcanic sediments; woodland environment; warmer and wetter climate than lowlands to the west; primarily red grape varietals. Low-elevation meadows and riverbank woodland environment; diversity of young soils along floodplain and sloughs with patches of intermediate-age soils on river terraces and fans; cool and windy climate; primarily white grape varietals. Intermediate elevations with erosion, dissected river terraces and old floodplain deposits; soils are sandy at surface and older and cemented at sub-surface depths; cool and breezy climate; both red and white grape varietals. Intermediate-to-low-elevation alluvial fan; prairie environment; distinctive soils; cool and windy climate; both red and white grape varietals. High-elevation river terraces and low bedrock hills of the Sierra Range; older soils; woodland environment; warmer and wetter climate than the lowlands to the west; both red and white grape varietals. Borden Ranch ...................... Clements Hills ...................... Cosumnes River ................... Jahant ................................... Mokelumne River ................. Sloughhouse ........................ Below, we discuss the evidence presented in the seven petitions. Alta Mesa The proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area is located in Sacramento County in the north-central portion of the established Lodi viticultural area, approximately 21 miles south of the city of Sacramento and 13 miles north of the city of Lodi. The proposed area covers 55,400 acres, of which approximately 5,000 acres are planted to grapes, according to the LAVA Steering Committee petition. This irregularly shaped, five-sided area is 13.3 miles long north to south, and 8.3 miles wide at its widest point east to west. The Alta Mesa region’s ‘‘tabletop’’ landform and the Joaquin soil series are the proposed area’s distinctive and unifying features, the petition states. Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Alta Mesa petition. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Name Evidence The petition explains that the name ‘‘Alta Mesa,’’ which means ‘‘high table’’ in Spanish, reflects California’s history under Spanish-controlled Mexico. The petition states that local ranchers, farmers, and winemakers refer to this region within the existing Lodi VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 viticultural area as ‘‘Alta Mesa,’’ and notes that the name is also used for places within the proposed viticultural area. The Alta Mesa Farm Bureau Hall, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is on Alta Mesa Road, while the Alta Mesa Fair is held in Elk Grove and the Alta Mesa Dairy is in Wilton, both of which are within the proposed area’s boundary. The name ‘‘Alta Mesa’’ also appears four times on the USGS Sloughhouse map within the proposed viticultural area’s boundaries. The map shows the 138-foot high Alta Mesa benchmark and the Alta Mesa Community Hall in section 9, and the Alta Mesa Gun Club in section 8, T6N, R7E. Alta Mesa Road runs along the northern and eastern boundaries of section 5, T6N, R7E, and continues onto the USGS Clay, California map. The road serves as part of the Alta Mesa viticultural area’s proposed eastern boundary. Boundary Evidence The Alta Mesa tabletop landform and the extent of the Joaquin soil series generally outline the boundary of the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area, according to the petition. The petition explains that the American and Cosumnes Rivers have built up PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 intermediate elevation river terraces and alluvial fans, which form the proposed area’s tabletop or ‘‘mesa,’’ the elevation of which gently rises from approximately 35 feet in the west to 138 feet in the east at the Alta Mesa benchmark. The proposed Alta Mesa area’s northern boundary coincides with the established Lodi viticultural area’s boundary at Sheldon Road in Sacramento County. According to the petition, eroded terrain and a change in soil types mark the proposed area’s southern boundary at the Dry Creek estuary. Changes in elevation from Alta Mesa’s tabletop landform, the petition explains, mark the proposed area’s eastern and western boundary lines. Also, the petition notes, the proposed area’s western boundary marks a transition to the warmer climate of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. In addition, the proposed Alta Mesa area is bordered on the east by the proposed Sloughhouse and Borden Ranch viticultural areas, and, to the south, by the proposed Jahant area. E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations Distinguishing Features Topography The proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area’s tabletop or mesa-like landform is one of the area’s most distinctive and unifying features, the petition states. The proposed Alta Mesa area sits on intermediate elevation river terraces and alluvial fans, and, despite some depressions and mounds, the area has a generally flat surface. This tabletop landform peaks at 138 feet in its northeast corner and gradually declines to 35 feet along its western side. To the east of the proposed Alta Mesa area, the Sierra Range foothills begin to rise within the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area. To the proposed Alta Mesa area’s immediate west, the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area has lower elevations that almost dip to mean sea level. Deer Creek and the lower course of the Cosumnes River run parallel and southwest through the proposed area. Soils The San Joaquin soil series, which covers about 90 percent of the Alta Mesa region, is also a distinctive feature of the proposed viticultural area, the petition states. The petition explains that this soil series consists of dense, heavy clay that limits rooting depth and the need for irrigation. Classified as Abruptic Durixeralfs, the San Joaquin soils have high percentages of clay and gravel, and intensive reddening and cementation caused by silica, clay, and iron. This soil series has intermediate-age parent materials, 12,000 to 45,000 years old, from stage 2 of the late Pleistocene glacial age, making these some of the oldest soils within the established Lodi viticultural area, according to the petition. The Storie Index places the Alta Mesa soils between 25 and 40 points of suitability. The San Joaquin soil series, the petition emphasizes, creates a distinctive and beneficial viticultural environment in the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Climate The petition uses data from the Lodi, Sacramento, Folsom, and Camp Pardee weather stations, which are located close to the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area. With a mean annual temperature of 60.5 degrees Fahrenheit, the petition states that the proposed Alta Mesa area is a transitional region that is warmer than most of the other proposed viticultural areas within the existing Lodi viticultural area. Only the Clements Hills area, which has the same annual mean temperature as the Alta VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 Mesa area, and the more inland Sloughhouse area, are warmer. The warm climate of the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area is seen in the area’s heat accumulation as measured in degree days.1 The degree day total for the Alta Mesa area is more than 200 degree days higher than the totals of the proposed Jahant and Mokelumne River viticultural areas to the south, which are closer to the cooling breezes of the Sacramento Delta. The degree day total for the proposed Alta Mesa area is also more than 100 degree days higher than the totals of the proposed Cosumnes River area to its west and the proposed Borden Ranch and Clements Hills viticultural areas to its east and southeast. The sea breeze from the Pacific Ocean that funnels through the Carquinez Straits and the Sacramento Delta, the petition explains, cools the overall Lodi area. However, this natural air conditioning gradually decreases in intensity and disperses as it flows inland from west to east. As measured across the northern portion of the existing Lodi viticultural area from west to east, these marine winds are strongest in the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area, less intense in the proposed Alta Mesa area, and weakest in the proposed Sloughhouse area. Winter fog is also common in the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area, the petition explains, due to seasonal standing water and cold-air drainage from the foothills to the east. This fog slightly decreases the Alta Mesa area’s degree-day total, according to the petition, by limiting the springtime heating of the soil and vines. In addition, the petition notes, the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area’s elevation provides a buffer between this fog from the west and the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area to the east. The average annual rain total in the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area, according to petition evidence, is 18.5 inches. This amount, the petition notes, is less than the 23-inch annual average in Sloughhouse to the east and more than the rainfall averages found in the regions to Alta Mesa’s immediate south. Borden Ranch The proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area is located in southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Counties in the east-central portion of 1 Each degree that a day’s mean temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the minimum temperature required for grapevine growth, is counted as one degree day; see ‘‘General Viticulture,’’ Albert J. Winkler, University of California Press, 1975. PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 40407 the established Lodi viticultural area, approximately 27 miles southeast of the city of Sacramento and 13 miles north of the city of Lodi. Covering 70,000 acres, the petition notes that approximately 11,000 acres within the proposed Borden Ranch area are planted to grapes. Located between the Sierra Foothills to the east and the San Joaquin Valley to the west, the proposed area has a distinctive terrain of old alluvial fans, river terraces and plains, and high elevations, according to the petition. Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Borden Ranch petition. Name Evidence In 1864, Ivey Lewis Borden established the Borden Ranch in this area, and local residents have used the name ever since, according to the petition. For example, the petition notes an August 16, 1929, Stockton Daily Evening Record article reporting on a barn fire on the Borden Ranch that killed a famous horse. More recently, the Borden Ranch name appeared in a court case and related news media stories involving a developer who sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over wetlands issues, and the petition included a January 6, 2003, Sacramento Business Journal article on the case. The petition states that since the 1970s, when the Burton and Dedomenico families began the first major grape plantings within the proposed area, local residents have also come to know Borden Ranch for its grape growing. Since that time, the petition continues, Sutter Home, Mondavi, and Delicato have also planted vineyards in the proposed area. The petition also claims that between 1995 and 1996, the single largest vineyard expansion in California history occurred in this area. In addition, the petition includes articles from the April 8, 2003, Stockton Record and the April 18, 2003, Modesto Bee that discuss recent vineyard development around Clay Station. Named for a popular stagecoach stop from the California Gold Rush days and located on the historic Borden Ranch, Clay Station is noted for its rich reddish clay soils and large stones, which provide for well-drained soil for grape growing, according to Stockton Record article. The petition also included statements from local residents regarding the use of the Borden Ranch name. For example, Jeff Sparrowk, a longtime Clements-area rancher, notes that the Borden Ranch is well known for its quality grazing land and vineyards. Robert Disch, a Borden Ranch-area farmer, states that Borden Ranch has become well known since E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 40408 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations vineyard development began there in the 1970s. He adds, ‘‘We are happy to see the notoriety of this region increasing and can declare that the Borden Ranch has a well-known history in our community.’’ Wine industry publications have also taken notice of the Borden Ranch area, according to several articles supplied with the petition. An article titled ‘‘Lodi & the Sacramento Valley Vintage 2000’’ from the Wine Institute’s ‘‘Harvest 2000’’ publication comments on the ‘‘enormous quality potential’’ of newer grape growing areas ‘‘such as Borden Ranch.’’ The Spring, 2002 edition of the ‘‘V&E Trellis Wire,’’ a publication of the Department of Viticultural and Enology at the University of California-Davis, includes an article about a student field trip to the Lodi-Woodbridge wine region. The article describes the students’ visit to the Borden Ranch, which it characterized as a 4,000-acre vineyard region. Boundary Evidence The proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area lies between the Sierra Range foothills to the east and the San Joaquin Valley to the west. The proposed area’s northern and southern boundaries are based on two generally parallel streams-the Laguna, a tributary of the Cosumnes River, in the north, and Dry Creek, a tributary of the Mokelumne River, in the south. Both flow northeast to southwest from the Sierra Foothills to the San Joaquin Valley. The stream deposits from the Laguna and Dry Creek are the distinguishing and unifying feature of the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area, according to the petition. The proposed area’s predominant geographical features are the high elevation, older river terraces and hills located within the watersheds of the Laguna and Dry Creek. These deposits and river terraces, the petition explains, extend from the Laguna in the north to near Liberty Road at the area’s proposed southern boundary near Dry Creek. As a result, the proposed Borden Ranch area’s northern boundary follows the path of the Laguna, while Dry Creek runs slightly north of the proposed area’s southern boundary. The petition uses roads to mark the proposed area’s eastern and western boundaries. Distinguishing Features rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Topography As explained in the petition, the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area has distinctive terrain due to its location between the Laguna and Dry Creek streams and its location at the base of VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 the Sierra Foothills. The river terraces and stream deposits left by the Laguna and Dry Creek throughout the proposed Borden Ranch area are its distinguishing and unifying feature, according to the petition. The petition notes that the proposed area’s lower, western elevations also have prairie mounds and vernal pools along these river terraces. Hills and ridges, which are the eroded remnants of very old river deposits, are found near the Sierra Foothills in the proposed area’s higher eastern elevations. In addition, the petition states, the oldest alluvial fans in Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties are found in the eastern portion of the proposed area close to the Sierras. The proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area inclines upward toward the Sierra Range, from 73 feet in elevation along its western boundary to 520 feet along its eastern border, a rise of 447 feet. While these elevations and rise are similar to the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area to the north of the Borden Ranch area, the proposed Alta Mesa and Jahant areas to the west of Borden Ranch have peak elevations of only 138 feet and 105 feet, respectively. The existing Lodi viticultural area’s eastern boundary also marks the eastern limit of the proposed Borden Ranch area—beyond which lies the higher elevations and more mountainous terrain of the Sierra Foothills. Soils The terrain within the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area exceeds 700,000 years in age, and is distinctively older than the terrain found in the other six proposed Lodi viticultural areas, according to the petition. In addition, the petition notes, the oldest valley soils in the Lodi region are found on the tops of the terraces above the streams in the proposed Borden Ranch area. These old Durixeralfs soils, the petition states, include the Redding, Hicksville, Corning, and Yellowlark soil series. In contrast, the petition states that the surface terrain in the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area to the north of the Borden Ranch area and in the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area to its south is from 125,000 and 250,000 years old, respectively, to 700,000 years old. Additionally, the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area’s soils contain a large percentage of surface and below ground rock cobble, or stones, a feature unique to this area, according to the petition. Climate The petition incorporates data from the Lodi, Sacramento, Folsom, Camp PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Pardee, and Stockton weather stations, which are located near the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area. The proposed Borden Ranch area, the petition notes, has a greater diversity of topographic-climatic vineyard sites than any of the other six areas proposed for establishment within the existing Lodi viticultural area. As the petition explains, vineyards within the proposed Borden Ranch area are found on hilltops or slopes, and in flat valley floors, facing different compass directions. These topographic variables, the petition states, are responsible for differences of sun, temperature, soil, water, and windiness in the vineyards. The proposed Borden Ranch area, according to the petition, is windier, warmer, and wetter, than the lowland regions to its west. The combination of cooling Sacramento Delta breezes from the west and cold air drainage from the Sierra Foothills to the east, the petition explains, generates high wind intensity and duration in the proposed Borden Ranch area. The petition notes that this windswept environment, in conjunction with the area’s hills and stony soils, creates high water evaporation conditions in the vineyards that lessen the vigor of the grapevine growth. While the Borden Ranch area’s degree day total is similar to that of the other six proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document, its annual mean temperature of 60.4 degrees Fahrenheit is slightly warmer than the proposed Cosumnes River, Jahant, and Mokelumne River areas to its west. The proposed Borden Ranch area is cooler than the Sloughhouse area to its north. Annual rainfall in the Borden Ranch area is 20 inches, which is less than the 23 inches of the Sloughhouse area to the north, the petition states, but higher than that of the proposed areas to its west. Clements Hills Located in northern San Joaquin County, the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area occupies much of the southeastern portion of the established Lodi viticultural area, approximately 41 miles southeast of Sacramento and 13 miles east of the city of Lodi. Covering 85,400 acres, of which approximately 16,000 acres are planted to grapes, the petition states that the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area is a hilly transitional region between the low, flat San Joaquin Valley floor to the west and the progressively higher Sierra Foothills to the east. The petition adds that the proposed area’s high elevation river terraces and rounded hilltops distinguish it from surrounding grapegrowing regions. E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Clements Hills petition. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Name Evidence The small town of Clements is located in the northern portion of the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area and is shown on the USGS Clements map and on California highway maps. According to the petition, Thomas Clements, who had settled in the region in 1857, donated 25 acres of land in 1882 to develop the town as a stop on the San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad. Named for its benefactor, the town served as a shipping point for the region’s grain, wool, hops, fruit, and other agricultural commodities. The proposed ‘‘Clements Hills’’ viticultural area name combines the town’s name with a reference to the proposed area’s hilly terrain. Local residents, realtors, and members of the wine industry, the petition states, commonly use the Clements Hills name to refer to the land within the proposed area’s boundaries. For example, realtor Tad Platt states that while marketing materials formerly referred to the ‘‘rolling hills of Clement,’’ the area has become better known simply as ‘‘Clements Hills’’ in recent years. Farmer Wesley Breitchenbucher and businessman Jeff Myers, whose families have lived in the Clements area for generations, also indicate that the proposed area is known as Clements Hills, according to the petition. The petition quotes Mr. Myers as stating that ‘‘the red, shallow soils of the Clements Hills’’ has attracted many vineyards and ranchette developments in the past decade. In addition, the petition notes the use of the Clements Hills name on the label of Vino Con Brio’s 2001 Sangiovese wine. Boundary Evidence The high elevation river terraces and hills formed by the Mokelumne River, along with the region’s older soils, distinguish the proposed Clements Hills area from surrounding areas, according to the petition. The Clements Hills area’s proposed northern boundary, along Liberty Road, approximates the northern edge of the higher and older Mokelumne River terraces, the petition explains. The petition adds that, north of the proposed boundary, elevations decrease in the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area due to the more eroded land found in the vicinity of Dry Creek. The Clements Hills proposed eastern boundary follows the San Joaquin County line, separating the proposed area from the more mountainous Amador, Calaveras, and Stanislaus Counties. These county lines, according VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 to the petition, mark the transition from the rolling hills of the Clements Hills region to the Sierra Foothills more mountainous environment. The Clements Hills proposed southern boundary line follows the Calaveras River as it meanders west from the Sierra Foothills to the San Joaquin Valley. To the north of the Calaveras River, within the proposed area’s boundaries, the terrain is made up primarily of hills from older Mokelumne River deposits, the petition explains. Also, the petition states, the Calaveras River’s alluvial terrace and fan deposits become progressively younger as one moves south from the proposed area’s southern boundary. The Clements Hills proposed western boundary is along Jack Tone and Elliott roads. To the east of these roads within the proposed area, the petition explains, the terrain consists primarily of hilly deposits from the older alluvial terraces and fans. The petition adds that to the west of Jack Tone and Elliott roads beyond the Clements Hills area, the hilly terrain gives way to younger, sandier, and lower alluvial fan formations and eventually the flat San Joaquin valley floor. Distinguishing Features Topography The proposed Clements Hills viticultural area is located between the flat, low elevations of the San Joaquin Valley floor to its west and the higher Sierra Foothills elevations to its east, according to the petition. Elevations within the proposed boundary area increase from a low of 90 feet on its western, San Joaquin Valley side to greater than 400 feet high at its eastern boundary line, according to the provided USGS maps. The petition also notes that the hilltops within the Clements Hills proposed viticultural area are distinctively convex and rounded. The Clements Hills, the petition states, contrast with the flat valley terrain to the west, the flat hilltops of the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area to the north, and the more mountainous environment of the Sierras. Through time and weather, the petition adds, the bluffs and terraces of the Mokelumne River have become smooth topped, rolling hills that extend toward the proposed Clements Hills area’s southern boundary at the Calaveras River. Soils The petition explains that the soils found within the proposed Clements Hills proposed viticultural area are old and primarily classified as PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 40409 Haploxerailfs, Durixeralfs, and Palexeralfs. These brown, red and yellow loams, clay loams, and clays, the petition states, principally belong to the Redding, Cometa, Yellowlark, and Montpellier soil series. Also, the petition notes, these low vigor soils have higher water holding capacities than the stony soils to the north in the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area, but less than the loamy soils to the west in the proposed Mokelumne River area. The Storie Index rates the soils in the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area at between 15 and 30, according to the petition. Climate Using data from the Lodi, Sacramento, Folsom, Stockton, and Camp Pardee weather stations, which are located close to the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area, the petition states that the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area is warmer and wetter than the regions to its west. As documented in the petition, the mean annual temperature of the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area is 60.5 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the same as the Alta Mesa area’s mean annual temperature. Also, only the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area, north of the Clements Hills region, experiences a warmer annual mean temperature in the Lodi area. The Clements Hills area annual degree day total is approximately 100 degrees higher than those of the proposed Mokelumne River and Jahant viticultural areas to the west, according to the petition. The petition notes that fog is less frequent in the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area than in the lower elevation San Joaquin valley floor areas to its west and, therefore, the proposed area receives more hours of warming sunshine. Reduced winds also help warm the proposed Clements Hills area, according the petition. Although the proposed area receives consistent Sacramento Delta breezes, the hilly terrain of the proposed Clements Hills area, the petition notes, reduces the marine wind speed and movement across the proposed area. Air drainage from the higher slopes to the east, the petition adds, reduces frost occurrences in the proposed viticultural area as well. Rainfall in the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area averages 21 to 22 inches annually, according to the petition, which is more than what the lower elevation proposed Jahant and Mokelumne River areas to its west and the proposed Borden Ranch area to its north receive. The petition explains that the proposed Clements Hills area’s hilly topography and its location just west of E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 40410 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations the Sierra Mountains bring more rain to the area since these higher elevations cause moisture-laden Pacific air to rise, forcing the air’s moisture to condense and fall to the ground. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Cosumnes River The proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area is in the northwestern portion of the existing Lodi viticultural area, approximately 20 miles south of the city of Sacramento and 14 miles north of the city of Lodi. Approximately 3,000 acres of the 54,700 acres within the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area are currently planted to grapes, according to the petition. The climate of the proposed viticultural area, providing most notably a relatively cool and windy growing season, as well as its young, alluvial soils and lowelevation terrain distinguish the proposed area from surrounding areas, according to the petition. Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Cosumnes River petition. Name Evidence The May 2001 California State Automobile Association ‘‘Central California’’ map shows the Cosumnes River from its headwaters in the Sierra Range to its confluence with the Mokelumne River between Walnut Grove and Thornton, California. The lower portion of the river flows through the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. The USGS quadrangle maps for Bruceville, Elk Grove, and Galt, California, which are used to define portions of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area boundary, identify the Cosumnes River and show its northeast-to-southwest path through the proposed area. The LAVA Committee considered using the ‘‘Upper Cosumnes’’ and ‘‘Lower Cosumnes’’ names for the proposed ‘‘Sloughhouse’’ and ‘‘Cosumnes River’’ viticultural areas, respectively, but believes the proposed name choices are more appropriate. As noted in the petition, the Cosumnes River name is associated with other places within the proposed viticultural area. For example, the Cosumnes River Preserve, located between Interstate Highways 5 and State Route 99 in southern Sacramento County, is also prominently shown on the California State Automobile Association’s Central California map. The petition explains that this Nature Conservancy preserve, a 1,450-acre protected natural area and wildlife habitat, is in the heart of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. Also, Cosumnes River College is located in VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 the suburbs of Sacramento, just north of the proposed area’s northern boundary. Historically, the petition explains, the name ‘‘Cosumnes’’ comes from the Native American Miwok people’s term for ‘‘salmon people.’’ The petition adds that an alternative Miwok translation is ‘‘the place of the koso berry.’’ John Sutter, an early settler, provides an 1841 written reference to the term ‘‘Cosumnes River,’’ the petition states, and 1845 and 1848 maps by John Fremont label this waterway as the ‘‘Cosumnes River.’’ The March 1, 1851, edition of the Stockton Times, in describing the region, states: ‘‘Some of the earlier settlements made in this country were along the Cosumnes’’. Boundary Evidence The existing Lodi viticultural area boundary marks the limits of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area to the north and west. To the east, the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area shares a boundary with the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area, and, to the south, with the proposed Jahant and Mokelumne River viticultural areas. A portion of the Mokelumne River marks the proposed area’s southern boundary line. The proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area lies south of the city of Sacramento and borders the west side of the town of Galt. The proposed area primarily produces white wine grape varietals, as compared to red grape varietals in areas to the east and a mixture of red and white grape varietals in areas to the south. Distinguishing Features The relatively cool and windy growing season of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area, its young, alluvial soils, and its lowelevation terrain distinguish the proposed area from surrounding areas, according to the petition. Topography The petition explains that the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area topography includes wetlands, natural and artificial levees, sloughs, streams, and the Cosumnes River. In addition, the Mokelumne River marks a portion of the area’s southern boundary. A large alluvial fan crosses the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area and slopes towards its southwest corner. The low elevations found in the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area distinguish it from the surrounding, higher-elevation areas, the petition states. At its southwestern corner, where the Cosumnes River joins the Mokelumne River, the elevation of the PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area dips to almost sea level. Elevations within the proposed area gradually rise to a high point of 48 feet at its southeast corner, according to the provided USGS maps. In contrast, the petition notes, the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area, to the east of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area, has elevations to 138 feet. To the south, the proposed Jahant viticultural area rises to 80 feet in elevation, and the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area rises to 85 feet, according to the petition. Soils The proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area, the petition explains, is dominated by young, alluvial soils that distinguish it from the surrounding areas. The petition notes that 60 percent of the agricultural land within the proposed area is covered by a series of younger alluvial and organic soils, Xerothents and Histosols. These younger soils, the petition continues, predominate in the lower areas, including the floodplains, sloughs, and wetlands, and around the Cosumnes River and its tributaries along the western side of the proposed viticultural area. The intermediate-age, deep reddish, gravelly clay loam soils of the San Joaquin series cover the remaining 40 percent of the agricultural land within the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area, according to the petition. These soils, classified as Abruptic Durixeralfs, have good waterholding capacity and moderate fertility. To the east of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area, the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area soils are of intermediate age, and about 90 percent of its soils are from the San Joaquin series, according to the petition. To the south, the proposed Jahant and Mokelumne River viticultural areas have a combination of young and intermediate in age soils. According to the petition, the Storie Index places the Cosumnes River soils at between 24 and 40 points for suitability. Climate The petition provides statistics and data from the Lodi, Sacramento, and Folsom weather stations, which are close to the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. Overall, according to the petition, the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area has a cool and breezy climate. With mean annual temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the proposed Cosumnes River and Mokelumne River viticultural areas are the coolest of the proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document, according to the E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations petition. The petition adds that the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area sustains intermediate level winds. The surrounding areas to the north and east are warmer and have less wind than the proposed Cosumnes River area, according to the petition. Also, to the south, the proposed Jahant and Mokelumne River viticultural areas have similar cool and strong marine winds. The petition notes that the Pacific Ocean’s cooling breezes funnel eastward through San Francisco’s Golden Gate, the Carquinez Strait, and the Sacramento Delta to reach the Lodi area. These marine breezes cool the Lodi area’s lower elevations, including the Cosumnes River floodplain and the areas to the river’s south. The intensity and effect of these cooling winds, according to the petition, dissipate as they continue eastward over the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area to the proposed Alta Mesa and Sloughhouse viticultural areas. The petition states that maritime and inland fog is persistent in the low elevations of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. This fog cools the proposed viticultural area more than the surrounding areas, which are less influenced by the maritime winds. The annual precipitation within the proposed Cosumnes area is 17.4 inches, according to the petition, which is more than the low elevation areas to its immediate south, but less than the high elevation regions to the north and east of the proposed viticultural area’s boundaries. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Jahant The proposed Jahant viticultural area is located in the center of the existing Lodi viticultural area, about 29 miles south of the city of Sacramento and 7 miles north of the city of Lodi. Currently, approximately 8,000 acres of the 28,000 acres within the proposed Jahant viticultural area are planted to grapes, according to the petition. The pink Jahant loam soil found in the proposed viticultural area is its most distinguishing characteristic, according to the petition, giving the Jahant area a unique grape-growing environment. Also, the petition notes that the proposed Jahant viticultural area’s climate is cooler, dryer, and windier than most of the other proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document. The petition adds that the terrain within the proposed Jahant viticultural area is noted for its river terraces and old floodplain deposits. Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Jahant petition. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 40411 Name Evidence Distinguishing Features The ‘‘Jahant’’ name is associated with the central portion of the established Lodi viticultural area in southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Counties, according to the petition. The name comes from Peter Jahant and several of his brothers, all 1850s settlers to the area, the petition states. The Jahant family settled and successfully farmed in the Acampo area of the Lodi region, and, in 1912, Peter Jahant’s son Charles planted 130 acres to grapes on the original family farm and on additional purchased land. Jahant Slough and Jahant Road, a light-duty, east-west road, are shown on the Lodi North and Lockeford USGS maps, in the approximate center of the proposed Jahant viticultural area. Also, Jahant Road is shown in sections B–4, B–5, C–5, and C–6 of the Gold Country map, published in April 2002 by the California State Automobile Association. The Jahant Equestrian Center is on Jahant Road, and some area vineyards use Jahant in their names, according to the petition. Topography Elevations in the proposed Jahant viticultural area vary from about 10 feet to 100 feet, according to USGS maps of the area. Also, these elevations rise from the west to the east, increasing toward the Sierra Range. The proposed viticultural area, the petition explains, is bounded by rivers on its north and west and is dotted with small lakes and sloughs. The larger Tracy Lake lies in the area’s southwest, while a gas field lies in the area’s southeast corner. The contours of the area, predominantly river terraces and old, eroded floodplain deposits, the petition continues, have developed from the actions of Dry Creek and the Mokelumne River. Boundary Evidence The petition states that the unique pink Rocklin-Jahant loam soils found within the proposed Jahant viticultural area and the deep dissections through river deposits left by flooding within the past 20,000 years distinguish the proposed Jahant area from the surrounding proposed viticultural areas. To the south, the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area has predominantly young, light-colored sandy soils, the petition notes, while to the north the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area has predominantly intermediate-age red soils. The petition states that the boundaries of the proposed Jahant viticultural area encompass the extent of the Jahant soils within the existing Lodi viticultural area. The petition also explains that dissected river terraces and old floodplain deposits, located between Dry Creek and the Mokelumne River, distinguish the proposed Jahant area from the surrounding areas. Dry Creek is part of the northern boundary of the proposed Jahant viticultural area, and the creek flows through its northwest section. The Mokelumne River forms the western boundary of the proposed Jahant area, close to where it joins with the Cosumnes River, according to the provided USGS maps. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Soils The proposed Jahant viticultural area, located primarily between Dry Creek and the Mokelumne River, has distinctive pink Rocklin-Jahant soils that are principally sandy loams and sandy clay loams with massive structure, thickness, and hardened depth, the petition explains. The soils are classified as Mollic Pelexeralfs. These old soils, the petition continues, have younger sandy surfaces and are generally different in structure, thickness, and depth from the San Joaquin deep reddish, gravelly clay loam soils found north of the proposed Jahant viticultural area. To the south, the petition states, the light sandy loam Tokay and Acampo soils are young, deep and well drained, tend to be granular and crumbly, and of a fine texture without gravel, in contrast to the Jahant soils. Climate The petition provides statistics and data from the Lodi, Sacramento, Folsom, Camp Pardee, and Stockton weather stations, which are close to the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. The proposed Jahant viticultural area, the petition comments, has cool climatic characteristics similar to those of the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area to the south. Both regions, according to the petition, receive the Pacific marine breezes that funnel east from the San Francisco Golden Gate, through the Carquinez Strait, the Sacramento Delta, and into the Lodi area. The petition also notes the cooling effect of persistent valley and coastal fog within the proposed boundaries. The winds in the proposed Jahant viticultural area are of high intensity and prolonged duration, similar to those of the proposed Mokelumne River E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 40412 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations viticultural area to the south, the petition states. In contrast, to the north and northeast of the proposed Jahant area, the proposed Alta Mesa and Sloughhouse viticultural areas have less wind intensity and warmer temperatures, according to the petition. The mean annual temperature of the proposed Jahant viticultural area is 60.1 degrees Fahrenheit, which is lower than that of the other proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document except for the Cosumnes River and Mokelumne River areas, each of which has a slightly lower mean annual temperature of 60.0 degrees, according to the petition. Also, the degree day totals for the Jahant area are between 100 and 400 degree days lower than those of the other parts of the Lodi region, except for the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area to the immediate south. Finally, the Jahant area’s annual rainfall is 18.0 inches, which is less than rainfall totals in the other areas of the Lodi region with the exception of proposed Cosumnes River and Mokelumne River viticultural areas. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Mokelumne River The proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area is in northern San Joaquin County in the southwestern portion of the existing Lodi viticultural area. According to the petition, the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area covers 85,700 acres, of which approximately 42,000 acres are vineyards. The young alluvial fan created by the Mokelumne River distinguishes the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area from the surrounding areas, the petition states. In addition, the distinctively breezy climate of this proposed viticultural area is the coolest within the original Lodi viticultural area, according to the petition. Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Mokelumne River petition. Name Evidence Historically, the ‘‘Mokelumne’’ name is derived from the Miwok Indians and has been translated as ‘‘the place of the fish net,’’ according to the petition. Known earlier as the Rio Mokellemos, the present spelling of Mokelumne was set in 1848 by John C. Fremont, as documented in the ‘‘California Place Names,’’ by Erwin Gudde, published in 1960 by the University of California Press. The Mokelumne River, which flows west from the Sierras into the San Joaquin Valley, is shown on a number of USGS maps, including the Lockeford, Lodi North, Bruceville, Thornton, Clements, and Wallace maps. Other VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 maps also show the river, including the Gold Country map published by the California State Automobile Association in April 2002. west from a high of 100 feet at the northeast corner of the proposed area to a low of 5 feet at its southwest corner. Boundary Evidence The petition explains that sandy loam Tokay and Acampo soils dominate the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area. These soils are young, deep and drain well, according to the petition. Also, the soils tend to be granular and crumbly, of a fine texture and without gravel. The sandy loams in the region, the petition describes, are generally between 6 and 12 feet in depth with low moisture holding capacity, especially in the western portion of the proposed area. The petition explains that the ‘‘classic, young’’ alluvial fan of the Mokelumne River extends east-to-west through the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area. Given its distinctive geology and topography, the river’s alluvial fan contrasts with the geology and topography of the other proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document and the areas beyond. According to the petition, east of Jack Tone Road, beyond the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area boundary line, are the older terrace deposits of the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area, while south of the proposed boundary, toward Linden and Farmington, the coarse deposits of the Calaveras River alluvial fan contrast with the sandy loam of the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area. To the west of Interstate 5, and beyond the original Lodi viticultural area western boundary line, very young organic and inorganic soils dominate the Sacramento Delta region, according to the petition. To the north of the proposed Mokelumne River area boundary line are the older river deposits that distinguish the Jahant region. Distinguishing Features Topography The Mokelumne River meanders through the northern portion of the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area, while creeks, sloughs, a canal, and an aqueduct run through its interior. Also, the city of Lodi is located on the south bank of the Mokelumne River in the approximate center of the proposed viticultural area. The topography of the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area is dominated by a relatively young alluvial fan over an intermediate age fan, according to the petition. To the east, the fan joins with the older Mokelumne River terrace deposits along Jack Tone Road, which serves as part of the boundary line for the proposed viticultural area, the petition notes. The Mokelumne River alluvial fan extends from the higher eastern elevations of the Clements region to the lower elevations along Interstate 5 and Eight Mile Road to the southwest, according to the provided USGS maps and the petition. The USGS maps of the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area show elevations sloping downward to the PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Soils Climate The petition uses climate statistics and data from the Lodi weather station, which is located near the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area. The climates of the proposed Mokelumne River and Cosumnes River viticultural areas are the coolest within the existing Lodi viticultural area, the petition explains. However, as the petition notes, the Mokelumne River area has less heat accumulation than the Cosumnes River area due to the Mokelumne area’s exposure to more intense cooling marine winds. The proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area, the petition continues, is the closest of the seven proposed Lodi viticultural areas to the Carquinez Strait that funnels cool Pacific Ocean breezes eastward from the Golden Gate, through the Sacramento Delta, to the Lodi area. The winds in the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area are of high intensity and prolonged duration, blowing more than 70 percent of the time, the petition states. The winds lose little intensity as they cross the low elevations and flat terrain within the proposed boundaries, according to the petition. The mean annual temperature within the proposed Mokelumne viticultural area is 60.0 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the same as the Cosumnes River area to the north but lower than that of each of the other proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document, according to the petition. While the mean annual temperatures of the Mokelumne and Cosumnes areas are the same, the annual degree day total for the Mokelumne area is between 50 and 450 degree days lower than the totals for the other six proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document. Rainfall within the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area is 17.57 inches, which is the next-to-lowest of the seven E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document, the petition states. Sloughhouse The proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area is located in southern Sacramento County, approximately 21 miles southeast of the city of Sacramento and 22 miles north of the city of Lodi. Located in the northeastern portion of the existing Lodi viticultural area, approximately 7,000 acres within the 78,800-acre proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area are currently planted to grapes, according to the petition. The petition states that warmer temperatures, more rain, less fog, higher elevations, and older soils distinguish the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area from the other proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document. The proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area, which is also adjacent to the established Sierra Foothills viticultural area (27 CFR 9.120), has rolling plains and hilly terrain that transitions to the Sierra Foothills further east, according to the petition. Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Sloughhouse petition. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Name Evidence The Sacramento Bee newspaper published an article on January 19, 1998, detailing the history of the Sloughhouse region. In the 1850’s the Sloughhouse Inn, which gave the region its name, was a popular stagecoach stop. According to the article, the building, rebuilt several times after fires, is a registered California historical landmark. Today, the Sloughhouse Inn is a restaurant. Modern usage of the Sloughhouse name, according to petition evidence, is also seen in the names of the Sloughhouse Resource Conservation District, the Sloughhouse Fire Protection District, and the Sloughhouse Area Genealogical Society. The USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database lists ‘‘Sloughhouse’’ as a populated place in Sacramento County, California. The USGS Sloughhouse quadrangle map shows the hamlet of Sloughhouse along State Road 16 on the Township 7 and 8 North line, between Ranges 6 and 7 East. Sloughhouse Road, a secondary road, is shown on the USGS Elk Grove and Sloughhouse maps within the proposed viticultural area boundary lines. Boundary Evidence Warmer temperatures, less intense winds, more rainfall, and greater climatic variations distinguish the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area from the surrounding areas within the VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 existing Lodi viticultural area according to the petition. It adds that elevations within the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area are generally higher and the soils older than the other surrounding proposed viticultural areas. The distinguishing Sloughhouse terrain and climatic characteristics, the petition explains, make this proposed viticultural area significantly different from the surrounding areas. Red varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Zinfandel, are popular in the Sloughhouse area as they can withstand drought and other climatic variations, the petition states. The proposed Sloughhouse area’s outer boundaries follow a portion of the existing Lodi viticultural area northern and eastern boundary lines, and the proposed area abuts the established Sierra Foothills viticultural area western boundary line. The petition explains that the shared Lodi and Sierra Foothills viticultural areas boundary line, which coincides with the Amador County line, is the logical division between the valley and mountain environments. Distinguishing Features Topography The proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area, the petition states, has the most diverse terrain of the seven proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document. Gently rolling hills, flat creek and river valleys, plains, and an alluvial fan characterize the proposed viticultural area, according to the petition. The proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area ranges in elevation from a low of 73 feet in its southwest region to a high of 590 feet in its northeast region, according to the provided USGS maps. The northeast region of Sloughhouse, which has the highest elevations in the proposed area, slopes upward and becomes the bedrock-based foothills of the Sierra Range, the petition notes. These higher elevations are similar to Borden Ranch to the south, but contrast with the lower elevations of between 35 and 138 feet of the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area to the west. Three significant waterways, the Cosumnes River and its Deer Creek and Laguna tributaries flow west from the Sierra Foothills through the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area. Deer Creek constitutes the northeastern boundary line of the proposed viticultural area, as noted in the petition’s boundary description. Deer Creek, according to USGS maps, then meanders southwesterly through the interior of the proposed Sloughhouse PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 40413 area. The Cosumnes River runs roughly parallel to Deer Creek and through the approximate middle of the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area. Deer Creek eventually joins the Cosumnes River to the west of the proposed viticultural area. The Laguna forms the south boundary line for the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area and joins the Cosumnes River and Deer Creek to the west of the proposed area. Soils The petition notes that the predominant soils in the western portion of the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area are found on an older alluvial fan. Classified as Durixeralfs and Haploxeralfs, the soils series found there include a complex of Redding, Corning, Pentz, and Hadlesville soils, which are generally of low vigor. Older soils, including patches of significantly older soils, are found in the higher eastern elevations of the proposed viticultural area. These older soils formed from sedimentary, metamorphic, and volcanic rock, including Sierra basement granite. Also, the Cosumnes River, Deer Creek, and the Laguna have left older river deposits within the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area, according to the petition. Climate The petition uses statistics and data from the Lodi, Sacramento and especially the Folsom weather stations, located close to the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area. The petition explains that the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area has a climate distinguishable from the surrounding proposed viticultural areas due to its combination of warm growing season temperatures and heavy winter rains. The Sloughhouse area, at 61.6 mean annual degrees Fahrenheit, is the warmest of the seven proposed viticultural areas within the existing Lodi viticultural area, the petition states. The average degree day total for the Sloughhouse area, according to the petition, is more than 200 degree days higher than that of the proposed Alta Mesa area to the immediate west and more than 300 degree days higher than that of the cooler proposed Borden Ranch and Clements Hills areas to the south. The proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area, the petition claims, experiences little marine sea breeze influence as compared to the other proposed viticultural areas to the west, which are closer to the Sacramento Delta. Also, the Alta Mesa ‘‘table-top’’ landform, to the immediate west, acts as E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 40414 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations a buffer between the west-to-east marine breezes and the proposed Sloughhouse area. The proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area receives more rain, 23inches annually according to petition documentation, than the other proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document. The petition states that to the west of the proposed Sloughhouse area, the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area averages 18.5 inches annual rainfall, and, to the south, the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area averages 20 inches annual rainfall. Also, other proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document average as low as 17.4 inches of annual rainfall, the petition notes. In addition, fog is less frequent in the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area than in the adjacent lower elevation and cooler proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area to the west, the petition states. The upland environment, with less cooling marine influence and warmer temperatures, discourages the formation of fog. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Comments Received TTB published Notice No. 50 regarding the proposed Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse viticultural areas in the Federal Register (70 FR 47740) on August 15, 2005. We received ten comments in response to the notice. All ten comments strongly favor the establishment of the seven viticultural areas. The comments focused on the appropriateness of the names, the differing distinguishing features of the petitioned areas, and the potential marketing advantage for the areas’ wines. TTB Finding After careful review of the petition and the ten comments received, TTB finds that the evidence submitted supports the establishment of the proposed viticultural areas. Therefore, under the authority of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act and part 4 of our regulations, we establish the ‘‘Alta Mesa,’’ ‘‘Borden Ranch,’’ ‘‘Clements Hills,’’ ‘‘Cosumnes River,’’ ‘‘Jahant,’’ ‘‘Mokelumne River,’’ and ‘‘Sloughhouse’’ viticultural areas in southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Counties in California, effective 30 days from the publication date of this document. Boundary Description See the narrative boundary descriptions of the seven viticultural VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 areas in the regulatory texts published at the end of this document. Maps The maps for determining the boundaries of the seven viticultural areas are listed below in the regulatory texts. Impact on Current Wine Labels Part 4 of the TTB regulations prohibits any label reference on a wine that indicates or implies an origin other than the wine’s true place of origin. With the establishment of the ‘‘Alta Mesa,’’ ‘‘Borden Ranch,’’ ‘‘Clements Hills,’’ ‘‘Jahant,’’ and ‘‘Sloughhouse’’ viticultural areas and their inclusion in part 9 of the TTB regulations, their full names are recognized as names of viticultural significance. The text of the new regulations clarifies this point. Consequently, wine bottlers using ‘‘Alta Mesa,’’ ‘‘Borden Ranch,’’ ‘‘Clements Hills,’’ ‘‘Jahant,’’ or ‘‘Sloughhouse’’ in a brand name, including a trademark, or in another label reference as to the origin of the wine, must ensure that the product is eligible to use the viticultural area name in question as an appellation of origin. With the establishment of the Cosumnes River and Mokelumne River viticultural areas and their inclusion in part 9 of the TTB regulations, the full names ‘‘Cosumnes River’’ and ‘‘Mokelumne River’’ are recognized as names of viticultural significance. In addition, the term ‘‘Cosumnes’’ or ‘‘Mokelumne’’ standing alone are considered terms of viticultural significance since consumers and vintners could reasonably attribute the quality, reputation, or other characteristic of wine made from grapes grown in the Cosumnes River or Mokelumne River viticultural areas to the names ‘‘Cosumnes’’ or ‘‘Mokelumne’’ alone. The text of the new regulations clarifies these points. Consequently, wine bottlers using ‘‘Cosumnes River,’’ ‘‘Cosumnes,’’ ‘‘Mokelumne River,’’ or ‘‘Mokelumne’’ in a brand name, including a trademark, or in another label reference as to the origin of the wine, must ensure that the product is eligible to use the viticultural area name or term in question as an appellation of origin. For a wine to be eligible to use as an appellation of origin a viticultural area name or other term specified as being viticulturally significant in part 9 of the TTB regulations, at least 85 percent of the wine must be derived from grapes grown within the area represented by that name or other viticulturally significant term, and the wine must meet the other conditions listed in 27 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 CFR 4.25(e)(3). If the wine is not eligible to use the viticultural area name or other viticulturally significant term as an appellation of origin and that name or term appears in the brand name, then the label is not in compliance and the bottler must change the brand name and obtain approval of a new label. Similarly, if the viticultural area name or other viticulturally significant term appears in another reference on the label in a misleading manner, the bottler would have to obtain approval of a new label. Different rules apply if a wine has a brand name containing a viticultural area name that was used as a brand name on a label approved before July 7, 1986. See 27 CFR 4.39(i)(2) for details. Regulatory Flexibility Act We certify that this regulation will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This regulation imposes no new reporting, recordkeeping, or other administrative requirement. Any benefit derived from the use of a viticultural area name is the result of a proprietor’s efforts and consumer acceptance of wines from that area. Therefore, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required. Executive Order 12866 This rule is not a significant regulatory action as defined by Executive Order 12866, 58 FR 51735. Therefore, it requires no regulatory assessment. Drafting Information N.A. Sutton of the Regulations and Rulings Division drafted this document. List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9 Wine. The Regulatory Amendment For the reasons discussed in the preamble, we amend title 27 CFR, chapter 1, part 9, as follows: I PART 9—AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREAS 1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows: I Authority: 27 U.S.C. 205. Subpart C—American Viticultural Areas 2. Amend subpart C by adding § 9.195 through § 9.201 to read as follows: I § 9.195 Alta Mesa. (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this section is ‘‘Alta Mesa’’. For purposes of part 4 of this E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations chapter, ‘‘Alta Mesa’’ is a term of viticultural significance. (b) Approved maps. The seven United States Geological Survey, 1:24,000 scale, topographic quadrangle maps used to determine the boundary of the Alta Mesa viticultural area are titled— (1) North Lodi, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1976; (2) Galt, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980; (3) Florin, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980; (4) Elk Grove, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1979; (5) Sloughhouse, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980, minor revision 1993; (6) Clay, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980, minor revision 1993; and (7) Lockeford, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1979, minor revision 1993. (c) Boundary. The Alta Mesa viticultural area is located in Sacramento County, California, and is entirely within the Lodi viticultural area (27 CFR 9.107). The Alta Mesa viticultural area boundary is as follows: (1) The beginning point is on the Lodi North map at the intersection of Kost Road and the Southern Pacific railway, section 34, T5N, R6E. From the beginning point, proceed northnorthwest 8.7 miles along the Southern Pacific railway to its intersection with State Route 99 at McConnel, section 20, T6N, R6E (Galt Quadrangle); then (2) Proceed northwest 4.7 miles on State Route 99 to its intersection with Sheldon Road at the northern boundary of section 26, T7N, R5E (Florin Quadrangle); then (3) Proceed east 5.2 miles on Sheldon Road to its intersection with the Central California Traction railroad at the northern boundary of section 27, T7N, R6E (Elk Grove Quadrangle); then (4) Proceed southeast 3.85 miles along the Central California Traction railroad to Grant Line Road, then southwest on Grant Line Road to Wilton Road at the hamlet of Sheldon, and then continue southeast on Wilton Road to its intersection with Dillard Road, section 6, T6N, R7E (Elk Grove Quadrangle); then (5) Proceed northeast 2.6 miles on Dillard Road to its intersection with Lee Shorthorn Road, T7N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (6) Proceed southeast 0.9 mile on Lee Shorthorn Road to its intersection with Tavernor Road, T7N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (7) Proceed south 0.95 mile on Tavernor Road to its first 90 degree turn to the west (where two unimproved roads join Tavernor Road from the east and south), section 4, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 (8) Continue due south 1 mile in a straight line to the line’s intersection with the 105-foot contour line and an unimproved extension of Blake Road, section 9, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (9) Proceed west 0.3 mile on the unimproved extension of Blake Road to its intersection with Tavernor Road, section 9, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (10) Proceed south 0.7 mile on Tavernor Road to the center of the loop at the end of the road, section 16, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (11) Proceed southwest in a straight line for 0.1 mile to the line’s intersection with the east end of the landing strip shown in the northwest quadrant of section 16, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (12) Proceed west along the landing strip and a line extending from its western end to the line’s intersection with Alta Mesa Road on the eastern boundary of section 17, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (13) Proceed south 6.1 miles on Alta Mesa Road, crossing State Route 104, to Alta Mesa Road’s intersection with Borden Road at the southwest corner of section 9, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then (14) Proceed east 1 mile on Borden Road to its intersection with Alabama Road at the southeast corner of section 9, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then (15) Proceed south 2 miles on Alabama Road to its intersection with Simmerhorn Road at the southeast corner of section 21, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then (16) Proceed east 2 miles on Simmerhorn Road to its intersection with Clay Station Road at the northeast corner of section 26, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then (17) Proceed south 0.5 mile on Clay Station Road to its intersection with Dry Creek, section 26, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then (18) Proceed west-southwest (downstream) 7.8 miles along Dry Creek, crossing over the northwest corner of the Lockeford map, and twice crossing over the southeast corner of the Galt map, to Dry Creek’s intersection with Lincoln Way, section 35, T5N, R6E (Lodi North Quadrangle); then (19) Proceed northwest 0.1 mile on Lincoln Way to its intersection with Kost Road, section 35, T5N, R6E (Lodi North Quadrangle); and (20) Proceed west 0.3 mile on Kost Road, returning to the beginning point. § 9.196 Borden Ranch. (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this section is ‘‘Borden PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 40415 Ranch’’. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, ‘‘Borden Ranch’’ is a term of viticultural significance. (b) Approved maps. The six United State Geological Survey, 1:24,000 scale, topographic quadrangle maps used to determine the boundary of the Borden Ranch viticultural area are titled— (1) Lockeford, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1979, minor revision 1993; (2) Clay, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980, minor revision 1993; (3) Sloughhouse, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980, minor revision 1993; (4) Carbondale, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980, minor revision 1993; (5) Goose Creek, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980, minor revision 1993; and (6) Clements, Calif., 1968, minor revision 1993. (c) Boundary. The Borden Ranch viticultural area is located in Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties, California, and is entirely within the Lodi viticultural area (27 CFR 9.107). The Borden Ranch viticultural area boundary is as follows: (1) The beginning point is on the Lockeford map at the intersection of Liberty Road and Elliott Road at the southwest corner of section 36, T5N, R7E. From the beginning point, proceed north 2 miles on Elliot Road, which becomes Clay Station Road upon crossing the Sacramento-San Joaquin County line at Dry Creek, to Clay Station Road’s intersection with Simmerhorn Road, at the southeast corner of section 23, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then (2) Proceed west 2 miles on Simmerhorn Road to its intersection with Alabama Road at the southwest corner of section 22, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then (3) Proceed north 2 miles on Alabama Road to its intersection with Borden Road at the northwest corner of section 15, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then (4) Proceed west 1 mile on Borden Road to its intersection with Alta Mesa Road at the southwest corner of section 9, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then (5) Proceed north 1.35 miles on Alta Mesa Road, crossing State Route 104, to Alta Mesa Road’s intersection with the Laguna tributary along the western boundary line of section 4, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then (6) Proceed easterly (upstream) about 16.5 miles along the meandering Laguna tributary, crossing over the southeast corner of the Sloughhouse map, to the Laguna’s intersection with the Sacramento-Amador County line, 0.75 mile south of the Ione Road, T6N, R9E (Carbondale Quadrangle); then (7) Proceed south and then southeast about 10.8 miles along the Sacramento- E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 40416 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations Amador and Sacramento-San Joaquin County lines, crossing over the Goose Creek map, to the County line’s intersection with Liberty Road, section 32, T5N, R9E (Clements Quadrangle); and (8) Proceed west about 9.3 miles west along Liberty Road, returning to the beginning point. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES § 9.197 Clements Hills. (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this section is ‘‘Clements Hills’’. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, ‘‘Clements Hills’’ is a term of viticultural significance. (b) Approved maps. The six United States Geological Survey 1:24,000 scale, topographic quadrangle maps used to determine the boundary of the Clements Hills viticultural area are titled— (1) Waterloo, Calif., 1968, photoinspected 1978; (2) Lockeford, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1979, minor revision 1993; (3) Clements, Calif., 1968, minor revision 1993; (4) Wallace, Calif., 1962; (5) Valley Springs SW., Calif., 1962, photoinspected 1973; and (6) Linden, Calif., 1968, minor revision 1993. (c) Boundary. The Clements Hills viticultural area is located in San Joaquin County, California, and is entirely within the Lodi viticultural area (27 CFR 9.107). The Clements Hills viticultural areas boundary is as follows— (1) The beginning point is on the Waterloo map at the intersection of the Calaveras River and Jack Tone Road, section 31 west boundary line, T3N, R8E. From the beginning point, proceed north 6.9 miles on Jack Tone Road to its intersection with Elliot Road in the village of Lockeford (where Jack Tone Road is known as E. Hammond Street for a short distance), section 30, T4N, R8E (Lockeford Quadrangle); then (2) Proceed northwest 5.4 miles on Elliott Road, crossing the Mokelumne River, to Elliott Road’s intersection with Liberty Road at the northwest corner of section 1, T4N, R7E, (Lockeford Quadrangle); then (3) Proceed east 9.3 miles on Liberty Road to its junction with the San Joaquin-Amador County line, north of the Camanche Reservoir, section 32, T5N, R9E (Clements Quadrangle); then (4) Proceed south-southeast 13 miles along the San Joaquin-Amador and San Joaquin-Calaveras County lines, crossing over the Wallace map, to the County line’s intersection with the Calaveras River, section 31, T3N, R10E (Valley Springs SW., Quadrangle); and (5) Proceed southwest (downstream) 14.2 miles along the Calaveras River, VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 crossing over the Linden map, returning to the beginning point. § 9.198 Cosumnes River. (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this section is ‘‘Cosumnes River’’. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, ‘‘Cosumnes River’’ and ‘‘Cosumnes’’ are terms of viticultural significance. (b) Approved maps. The six United States Geological Survey, 1:24,000 scale, topographic quadrangle maps used to determine the boundary of the Cosumnes River viticultural area are titled— (1) Bruceville, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980; (2) Florin, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980; (3) Elk Grove, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1979; (4) Galt, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980; (5) Lodi North, Calif.,1968, photorevised 1976; and (6) Thornton, Calif., 1978. (c) Boundary. The Cosumnes River viticultural area is located in Sacramento County, California, and is entirely within the Lodi viticultural area (27 CFR 9.107). The Cosumnes River viticultural area boundary is as follows— (1) The beginning point is on the Bruceville map at the intersection of the Mokelumne River and Interstate Highway 5, T5N, R5E. From the beginning point, proceed north 8.5 miles along Interstate 5 to its intersection with an unnamed light duty road, locally known to the west of Franklin as Hood-Franklin Road, section 18, T6N, R5E (Florin Quadrangle); then (2) Proceed east 1.2 miles straight on Hood-Franklin Road to its intersection with Franklin Boulevard in the village of Franklin, section 17, T6N, R5E (Florin Quadrangle); then (3) Proceed north 4.3 miles on Franklin Boulevard to its intersection with Sims Road on the west and Sheldon Road to the east at the northwest corner of section 28, T7N, R5E (Florin Quadrangle); then (4) Proceed east 2.4 miles on Sheldon Road to its intersection with State Route 99 at the northern boundary section 26, T7N, R5E (Florin Quadrangle); then (5) Proceed south-southeast 6 miles on State Route 99, crossing over the Elk Grove map, to the road’s intersection with the Southern Pacific railway line at McConnell, section 20, T6N, R6E (Galt Quadrangle); then (6) Proceed south-southeast 8.7 miles along the Southern Pacific railway line to its intersection with Kost Road, section 34, T5N, R6E (Lodi North Quadrangle); then PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (7) Proceed west and then north 3.8 miles on Kost Road to its intersection with New Hope Road, T5N, R6E (Lodi North Quadrangle); then (8) Proceed west then south 2.8 miles on New Hope Road to its intersection with the Mokelumne River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin County line, T5N, R5E (Thornton Quadrangle); and (9) Proceed northerly then westerly (downstream) for about 2.7 miles along the meandering Mokelumne River, returning to the beginning point. § 9.199 Jahant. (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this section is ‘‘Jahant’’. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, ‘‘Jahant’’ is a term of viticultural significance. (b) Approved maps. The five United States Geological Survey, 1:24000 scale, topographic quadrangle maps used to determine the boundary of the Jahant viticultural area are titled— (1) Lodi North, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1976; (2) Thornton, Calif., 1978; (3) Galt, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980; (4) Lockeford, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1979; and (5) Clay, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980, minor revision 1993. (c) Boundary. The Jahant viticultural area is located in Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties, California, and is entirely with the Lodi viticultural area (27 CFR 9.107). The Jahant viticultural area boundary is as follows— (1) The beginning point is on the Lodi North map at the intersection of Peltier Road and the Mokelumne River, section 16 south boundary line, T4N, R6E. From the beginning point, proceed westerly (downstream) 6.7 miles along the Mokelumne River to its intersection with New Hope Road, about 0.7 mile north of the village of Thornton, T5N, R5E (Thornton Quadrangle); then (2) Proceed north then east for 3 miles on New Hope Road to its intersection with Kost Road, T5N, R6E (Lodi North Quadrangle); then (3) Proceed south then east for 4.1 miles on Kost Road to its intersection with Lincoln Way, section 35, T5N, R6E (Lodi North Quadrangle); then (4) Proceed southeast 0.15 mile on Lincoln Way to its intersection with Dry Creek, section 35, T5N, R6E (Lodi North Quadrangle); then (5) Proceed easterly (upstream) 7 miles along Dry Creek, crossing twice over and back at the southeast corner of the Galt map, and then crossing over the northwest corner of the Lockeford map, to Dry Creek’s intersection with Elliott Road, section 26, T5N, R7E (Clay Quadrangle); then E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 136 / Monday, July 17, 2006 / Rules and Regulations (6) Proceed south 4.5 miles on Elliott Road to its intersection with Peltier Road at the southeast corner of section 14, T4N, R7E (Lockeford Quadrangle); and (7) Proceed west 8.3 miles on Peltier Road, returning to the beginning point. rmajette on PROD1PC67 with RULES § 9.200 Mokelumne River. (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this section is ‘‘Mokelumne River’’. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, ‘‘Mokelumne River’’ and ‘‘Mokelumne’’ are terms of viticultural significance. (b) Approved maps. The seven United States Geological Survey, 1:24,000 scale, topographic quadrangle maps used to determine the boundary of the Mokelumne River viticultural area are titled— (1) Lodi South, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1976; (2) Terminous, Calif., 1978, minor revision 1993; (3) Thornton, Calif., 1978; (4) Bruceville, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980; (5) Lodi North, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1976; (6) Lockeford, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1979, minor revision 1993; and (7) Waterloo, Calif., edition of 1968, photoinspected 1978. (c) Boundary. The Mokelumne River viticultural area is located in San Joaquin County, California, and is entirely within the Lodi viticultural area (27 CFR 9.107). The Mokelumne River viticultural area boundary is as follows— (1) The beginning point is on the Lodi South map at the intersection of Eightmile Road and Interstate 5, section 36 south boundary line, T3N, R5E. From the beginning point, proceed northnorthwest 14.7 miles on Interstate 5, crossing over the Terminous and Thornton maps, to the Interstate’s intersection with the Mokelumne River, T5N, R6E (Bruceville Quadrangle); then (2) Proceed southeast (upstream) 5 miles along the meandering Mokelumne River to its intersection with Peltier Road, section 16, T4N, R6E (Lodi North Quadrangle); then (3) Proceed east 8.3 miles along Peltier Road to its intersection with Elliott Road at the northeast corner of section 23, T4N, R7E (Lockeford Quadrangle); then (4) Proceed south then southeast 2.3 miles on Elliott Road to its intersection with Jack Tone Road in the village of Lockeford (where Jack Tone Road is known as E. Hammond Street for a short distance), section 30, T4N, R8E (Lockeford Quadrangle); then VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:22 Jul 14, 2006 Jkt 208001 (5) Proceed south 6.7 miles on Jack Tone Road to its intersection with the Calaveras River, section 36 east boundary line, T3N, R7E (Waterloo Quadrangle); then (6) Proceed southwesterly (downstream) 0.9 mile along the meandering Calaveras River to its intersection with Eightmile Road, section 36 south boundary line, T3N, R7E (Waterloo Quadrangle); and (7) Proceed west 8.6 miles on Eightmile Road, returning to the beginning point. § 9.201 Sloughhouse. (a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this section is ‘‘Sloughhouse’’. For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, ‘‘Sloughhouse’’ is a term of viticultural significance. (b) Approved maps. The six United States Geological Survey, 1:24,000 scale, topographic quadrangle maps used to determine the boundary of the Sloughhouse viticultural area are titled— (1) Clay, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980, minor revision 1993; (2) Sloughhouse, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980, minor revision 1993; (3) Elk Grove, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1979; (4) Buffalo Creek, Calif., 1967, photorevised 1980; (5) Folsom SE, Calif., 1954, photorevised 1980; and (6) Carbondale, Calif., 1968, photorevised 1980, minor revision 1993. (c) Boundary. The Sloughhouse viticultural area is located in Sacramento County, California, and is entirely within the Lodi viticultural area (27 CFR 9.107). The Sloughhouse viticultural area boundary is as follows— (1) The beginning point is on the Clay map at the intersection of the Laguna estuary and Alta Mesa Road, on the western boundary of section 4, T5N, R7E. From the beginning point, proceed north 4.8 miles on Alta Mesa Road to the road’s intersection with a line drawn due west from the western end of the landing strip shown in the northwestern quadrant of section 16, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (2) Proceed east 0.5 mile to the eastern end of the landing strip, section 16, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (3) Proceed northeast in a straight line 0.1 mile to the center of the loop at the south end of Tavernor Road, section 16, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (4) Proceed north 0.75 mile on Tavernor Road to its intersection with Blake Road, section 9, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 40417 (5) Proceed east 0.5 mile on the unimproved extension of Blake Road to its intersection with the 105-foot elevation line, section 9, T6N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (6) Proceed due north about 0.85 mile to the 90 degree turn in Tavernor Road and continue north about 0.9 mile on Tavernor Road to its intersection with Lee Shorthorn Road, T7N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (7) Proceed northwest 0.9 mile on Lee Shorthorn Road to its intersection with Dillard Road, T7N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (8) Proceed southwest about 2.6 miles on Dillard Road to its intersection with Wilton Road at the hamlet of Dillard, section 6, T6N, R7E (Elk Grove Quadrangle); then (9) Proceed northwest 3.1 miles on Wilton Road to its intersection with Grant Line Road at the hamlet of Sheldon, section 27, T7N, R6E (Elk Grove Quadrangle); then (10) Proceed northwest on Grant Line Road to its intersection with State Route 16 (Jackson Road), section 33, T8N, R7E (Buffalo Creek Quadrangle); then (11) Proceed east-southeast 1.6 miles on State Route 16 to its intersection with Deer Creek at BM 108 near Sloughhouse, T8N, R7E (Sloughhouse Quadrangle); then (12) Proceed northeasterly (upstream) about 11 miles along the meandering Deer Creek, crossing over the southeast corner of the Buffalo Creek map, to the creek’s intersection with the Sacramento-El Dorado County line, section 1, T8N, R8E (Folsom, S.E. Quadrangle); then (13) Proceed south-southeast followed by south for about 12.4 miles along the Sacramento-El Dorado and SacramentoAmador County line to the County line’s intersection with the Laguna estuary, 0.75 mile south of the Ione Road, T6N, R9E (Carbondale Quadrangle); and (14) Proceed westerly (downstream) 17.5 miles along the meandering Laguna estuary, crossing over the Sloughhouse map, and return to the beginning point on the Clay Quadrangle. Signed: May 19, 2006. John J. Manfreda, Administrator. Approved: June 15, 2006. Timothy E. Skud, Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax, Trade, and Tariff Policy). [FR Doc. E6–11079 Filed 7–14–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4810–31–P E:\FR\FM\17JYR1.SGM 17JYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 136 (Monday, July 17, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40404-40417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11079]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau

27 CFR Part 9

[T.D. TTB-50; Re: Notice No. 50]
RIN 1513-AA82 thru 1513-AA88

Establishment of the Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills,
Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse Viticultural
Areas

AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury.

ACTION: Final rule; Treasury decision.

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SUMMARY: This Treasury decision establishes seven new viticultural
areas within the boundary of the existing Lodi viticultural area, which
lies within southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Counties in
California. The seven new areas are Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements
Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse. We
designate viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the
origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines
they may purchase.

DATES: Effective Dates: August 16, 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: N. A. Sutton, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax
and Trade Bureau, Regulations and Rulings Division, 925 Lakeville St.,
No. 158, Petaluma, CA 94952; telephone 415-271-1254.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background on Viticultural Areas

TTB Authority

Section 105(e) of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (the FAA
Act, 27 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) requires that alcohol beverage labels
provide consumers with adequate information regarding product identity
and prohibits the use of misleading information on those labels. The
FAA Act also authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue
regulations to carry out its provisions. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax
and Trade Bureau (TTB) administers these regulations.
Part 4 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 4) allows the
establishment of definitive viticultural areas and the use of their
names as appellations of origin on wine labels and in wine
advertisements. Part 9 of the TTB regulations (27 CFR part 9) contains
the list of approved viticultural areas.

[[Page 40405]]

Definition

Section 4.25(e)(1)(i) of the TTB regulations (27 CFR 4.25(e)(1)(i))
defines a viticultural area for American wine as a delimited grape-
growing region distinguishable by geographical features, the boundaries
of which have been recognized and defined in part 9 of the regulations.
These designations allow vintners and consumers to attribute a given
quality, reputation, or other characteristic of a wine made from grapes
grown in an area to its geographical origin. The establishment of
viticultural areas allows vintners to describe more accurately the
origin of their wines to consumers and helps consumers to identify
wines they may purchase. Establishment of a viticultural area is
neither an approval nor an endorsement by TTB of the wine produced in
that area.

Requirements

Section 4.25(e)(2) of the TTB regulations outlines the procedure
for proposing an American viticultural area and provides that any
interested party may petition TTB to establish a grape-growing region
as a viticultural area. Section 9.3(b) of the TTB regulations requires
the petition to include--
Evidence that the proposed viticultural area is locally
and/or nationally known by the name specified in the petition;
Historical or current evidence that supports setting the
boundary of the proposed viticultural area as the petition specifies;
Evidence relating to the geographical features, such as
climate, soils, elevation, and physical features, that distinguish the
proposed viticultural area from surrounding areas;
A description of the specific boundary of the proposed
viticultural area, based on features found on United States Geological
Survey (USGS) maps; and
A copy of the appropriate USGS map(s) with the proposed
viticultural area's boundary prominently marked.

Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant,
Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse Viticultural Area Petitions and
Rulemaking

Lodi American Viticultural Areas Steering Committee Petitions

The Lodi American Viticultural Areas (LAVA) Steering Committee
petitioned TTB to establish seven new viticultural areas within the
boundary of the existing Lodi viticultural area (27 CFR 9.107) in
southern Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Counties in California.
The seven LAVA Steering Committee petitions proposed the creation of
the Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant,
Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse viticultural areas. The 16 wine
industry members that comprise the committee stated that their proposal
subdivides the existing Lodi area into ``seven smaller viticultural
areas of distinction.''
The establishment of the seven proposed viticultural areas would
not in any way affect the existing 551,500-acre Lodi viticultural area.
The Lodi area will continue as a single American viticultural area
within its current boundary. However, TTB notes that the seven proposed
areas fall entirely within the 458,000 acres of the original 1986
boundary of the Lodi viticultural area and thus, as proposed, would not
include any of the 93,500 acres added to the Lodi area when it was
expanded along its western and southern borders in 2002. (See T.D. ATF-
223, published in the Federal Register at 51 FR 5324 on February 13,
1986, for the Lodi viticultural area as originally defined. See T.D.
ATF-482, published in the Federal Register at 67 FR 56481 on September
4, 2002, for the Lodi area expansion in 2002.)

The Seven Proposed Viticultural Areas--Background

Location
The proposed Cosumnes River, Alta Mesa, and Sloughhouse
viticultural areas lie, respectively, in the northwestern, north-
central, and northeastern portions of the existing Lodi viticultural
area and are entirely within Sacramento County. The proposed Clements
Hills and Mokelumne River areas cover, respectively, the southeastern
and southwestern portions of the existing Lodi viticultural area and
are entirely within San Joaquin County. The proposed Borden Ranch and
Jahant areas cover, respectively, the east-central and central portions
of the existing Lodi viticultural area and lie in portions of both
Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties.
The Cosumnes River flows southwest across the Sacramento County
portion of the Lodi viticultural area and crosses the proposed
Sloughhouse, Alta Mesa and Cosumnes River viticultural areas. The
Cosumnes River joins the Mokelumne River, which flows west, then
northwest, through the San Joaquin County portion of the Lodi area. The
Mokelumne River crosses the proposed Clements Hills and Mokelumne River
viticultural areas, and forms a portion of the southwestern boundary of
the proposed Jahant area. Neither river touches the proposed Borden
Ranch viticultural area.
Summary of Distinguishing Features
According to the LAVA Steering Committee petition, climate data--
such as temperature, precipitation, and wind patterns--outline the
distinctive microclimates of the seven proposed viticultural areas. To
varying degrees, the petition notes, the Lodi viticultural area's
climate is affected by its inland San Joaquin valley location between
the Sierra Nevada Range to the east and the Sacramento Delta, with its
Pacific coast marine influence, to the west.
Differences in topography, elevation, and soils also help to
distinguish the seven proposed areas from one another, according to the
petition. In addition, the LAVA Committee uses the Storie Index
(Huntington, 1992) to rate the agricultural potential of the soils
within the seven proposed viticultural areas. This index ranges from
100 points for highly suitable soils to 0 points for unsuitable soils.
The petition notes that Storie Index ratings for the seven proposed
areas range from 95 to 15 points.
The table below lists the general features of each of the seven
proposed viticultural areas as outlined in the LAVA Steering Committee
petition:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Relative
Total growing Storie Location within the Lodi
Name of proposed viticultural area acreage season (soil) viticultural area
length* index
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alta Mesa.................................. 55,400 3 25-40 North-central.
Borden Ranch............................... 70,000 2 15-30 East-central.
Clements Hills............................. 85,400 2 15-30 Southeast.

[[Page 40406]]

Cosumnes River............................. 54,700 2 24-40 Northwest.
Jahant..................................... 28,000 1 25-40 Central.
Mokelumne River............................ 85,700 1 80-95 Southwest.
Sloughhouse................................ 78,800 4 15-30 Northeast.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 1 = coolest; 4 = warmest.

In addition, the LAVA Steering Committee petition provided an
overview of each proposed viticultural area's grape-growing
environment, which we outline in this table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed viticultural area Description
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alta Mesa.................... Intermediate-elevation river terraces and
fans; prairie environment; San Joaquin
soil series of intermediate age; heavy,
red, clay loams; slightly warmer and
less windy climate than the lowlands to
the west; primarily red grape varietals.
Borden Ranch................. High elevations, very old river terraces
and hills; oldest valley floor soils;
vernal pools and prairie mound
environment with high ridges; windy, and
warmer, and wetter climate than lowlands
to the west; primarily red grape
varietals.
Clements Hills............... High-elevation river terraces and hills
with older soils and volcanic sediments;
woodland environment; warmer and wetter
climate than lowlands to the west;
primarily red grape varietals.
Cosumnes River............... Low-elevation meadows and riverbank
woodland environment; diversity of young
soils along floodplain and sloughs with
patches of intermediate-age soils on
river terraces and fans; cool and windy
climate; primarily white grape
varietals.
Jahant....................... Intermediate elevations with erosion,
dissected river terraces and old
floodplain deposits; soils are sandy at
surface and older and cemented at sub-
surface depths; cool and breezy climate;
both red and white grape varietals.
Mokelumne River.............. Intermediate-to-low-elevation alluvial
fan; prairie environment; distinctive
soils; cool and windy climate; both red
and white grape varietals.
Sloughhouse.................. High-elevation river terraces and low
bedrock hills of the Sierra Range; older
soils; woodland environment; warmer and
wetter climate than the lowlands to the
west; both red and white grape
varietals.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Below, we discuss the evidence presented in the seven petitions.

Alta Mesa

The proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area is located in Sacramento
County in the north-central portion of the established Lodi
viticultural area, approximately 21 miles south of the city of
Sacramento and 13 miles north of the city of Lodi. The proposed area
covers 55,400 acres, of which approximately 5,000 acres are planted to
grapes, according to the LAVA Steering Committee petition. This
irregularly shaped, five-sided area is 13.3 miles long north to south,
and 8.3 miles wide at its widest point east to west. The Alta Mesa
region's ``tabletop'' landform and the Joaquin soil series are the
proposed area's distinctive and unifying features, the petition states.
Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Alta Mesa
petition.

Name Evidence

The petition explains that the name ``Alta Mesa,'' which means
``high table'' in Spanish, reflects California's history under Spanish-
controlled Mexico. The petition states that local ranchers, farmers,
and winemakers refer to this region within the existing Lodi
viticultural area as ``Alta Mesa,'' and notes that the name is also
used for places within the proposed viticultural area. The Alta Mesa
Farm Bureau Hall, which is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places, is on Alta Mesa Road, while the Alta Mesa Fair is held in Elk
Grove and the Alta Mesa Dairy is in Wilton, both of which are within
the proposed area's boundary.
The name ``Alta Mesa'' also appears four times on the USGS
Sloughhouse map within the proposed viticultural area's boundaries. The
map shows the 138-foot high Alta Mesa benchmark and the Alta Mesa
Community Hall in section 9, and the Alta Mesa Gun Club in section 8,
T6N, R7E. Alta Mesa Road runs along the northern and eastern boundaries
of section 5, T6N, R7E, and continues onto the USGS Clay, California
map. The road serves as part of the Alta Mesa viticultural area's
proposed eastern boundary.

Boundary Evidence

The Alta Mesa tabletop landform and the extent of the Joaquin soil
series generally outline the boundary of the proposed Alta Mesa
viticultural area, according to the petition. The petition explains
that the American and Cosumnes Rivers have built up intermediate
elevation river terraces and alluvial fans, which form the proposed
area's tabletop or ``mesa,'' the elevation of which gently rises from
approximately 35 feet in the west to 138 feet in the east at the Alta
Mesa benchmark.
The proposed Alta Mesa area's northern boundary coincides with the
established Lodi viticultural area's boundary at Sheldon Road in
Sacramento County. According to the petition, eroded terrain and a
change in soil types mark the proposed area's southern boundary at the
Dry Creek estuary. Changes in elevation from Alta Mesa's tabletop
landform, the petition explains, mark the proposed area's eastern and
western boundary lines. Also, the petition notes, the proposed area's
western boundary marks a transition to the warmer climate of the
proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. In addition, the proposed
Alta Mesa area is bordered on the east by the proposed Sloughhouse and
Borden Ranch viticultural areas, and, to the south, by the proposed
Jahant area.

[[Page 40407]]

Distinguishing Features

Topography
The proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area's tabletop or mesa-like
landform is one of the area's most distinctive and unifying features,
the petition states. The proposed Alta Mesa area sits on intermediate
elevation river terraces and alluvial fans, and, despite some
depressions and mounds, the area has a generally flat surface. This
tabletop landform peaks at 138 feet in its northeast corner and
gradually declines to 35 feet along its western side. To the east of
the proposed Alta Mesa area, the Sierra Range foothills begin to rise
within the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area. To the proposed Alta
Mesa area's immediate west, the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural
area has lower elevations that almost dip to mean sea level. Deer Creek
and the lower course of the Cosumnes River run parallel and southwest
through the proposed area.
Soils
The San Joaquin soil series, which covers about 90 percent of the
Alta Mesa region, is also a distinctive feature of the proposed
viticultural area, the petition states. The petition explains that this
soil series consists of dense, heavy clay that limits rooting depth and
the need for irrigation. Classified as Abruptic Durixeralfs, the San
Joaquin soils have high percentages of clay and gravel, and intensive
reddening and cementation caused by silica, clay, and iron. This soil
series has intermediate-age parent materials, 12,000 to 45,000 years
old, from stage 2 of the late Pleistocene glacial age, making these
some of the oldest soils within the established Lodi viticultural area,
according to the petition. The Storie Index places the Alta Mesa soils
between 25 and 40 points of suitability. The San Joaquin soil series,
the petition emphasizes, creates a distinctive and beneficial
viticultural environment in the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area.
Climate
The petition uses data from the Lodi, Sacramento, Folsom, and Camp
Pardee weather stations, which are located close to the proposed Alta
Mesa viticultural area. With a mean annual temperature of 60.5 degrees
Fahrenheit, the petition states that the proposed Alta Mesa area is a
transitional region that is warmer than most of the other proposed
viticultural areas within the existing Lodi viticultural area. Only the
Clements Hills area, which has the same annual mean temperature as the
Alta Mesa area, and the more inland Sloughhouse area, are warmer.
The warm climate of the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area is
seen in the area's heat accumulation as measured in degree days.\1\ The
degree day total for the Alta Mesa area is more than 200 degree days
higher than the totals of the proposed Jahant and Mokelumne River
viticultural areas to the south, which are closer to the cooling
breezes of the Sacramento Delta. The degree day total for the proposed
Alta Mesa area is also more than 100 degree days higher than the totals
of the proposed Cosumnes River area to its west and the proposed Borden
Ranch and Clements Hills viticultural areas to its east and southeast.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

\1\ Each degree that a day's mean temperature is above 50
degrees Fahrenheit, which is the minimum temperature required for
grapevine growth, is counted as one degree day; see ``General
Viticulture,'' Albert J. Winkler, University of California Press,
1975.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sea breeze from the Pacific Ocean that funnels through the
Carquinez Straits and the Sacramento Delta, the petition explains,
cools the overall Lodi area. However, this natural air conditioning
gradually decreases in intensity and disperses as it flows inland from
west to east. As measured across the northern portion of the existing
Lodi viticultural area from west to east, these marine winds are
strongest in the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area, less
intense in the proposed Alta Mesa area, and weakest in the proposed
Sloughhouse area.
Winter fog is also common in the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural
area, the petition explains, due to seasonal standing water and cold-
air drainage from the foothills to the east. This fog slightly
decreases the Alta Mesa area's degree-day total, according to the
petition, by limiting the springtime heating of the soil and vines. In
addition, the petition notes, the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural
area's elevation provides a buffer between this fog from the west and
the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area to the east.
The average annual rain total in the proposed Alta Mesa
viticultural area, according to petition evidence, is 18.5 inches. This
amount, the petition notes, is less than the 23-inch annual average in
Sloughhouse to the east and more than the rainfall averages found in
the regions to Alta Mesa's immediate south.

Borden Ranch

The proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area is located in southern
Sacramento and northern San Joaquin Counties in the east-central
portion of the established Lodi viticultural area, approximately 27
miles southeast of the city of Sacramento and 13 miles north of the
city of Lodi. Covering 70,000 acres, the petition notes that
approximately 11,000 acres within the proposed Borden Ranch area are
planted to grapes. Located between the Sierra Foothills to the east and
the San Joaquin Valley to the west, the proposed area has a distinctive
terrain of old alluvial fans, river terraces and plains, and high
elevations, according to the petition.
Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Borden Ranch
petition.

Name Evidence

In 1864, Ivey Lewis Borden established the Borden Ranch in this
area, and local residents have used the name ever since, according to
the petition. For example, the petition notes an August 16, 1929,
Stockton Daily Evening Record article reporting on a barn fire on the
Borden Ranch that killed a famous horse. More recently, the Borden
Ranch name appeared in a court case and related news media stories
involving a developer who sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over
wetlands issues, and the petition included a January 6, 2003,
Sacramento Business Journal article on the case.
The petition states that since the 1970s, when the Burton and
Dedomenico families began the first major grape plantings within the
proposed area, local residents have also come to know Borden Ranch for
its grape growing. Since that time, the petition continues, Sutter
Home, Mondavi, and Delicato have also planted vineyards in the proposed
area. The petition also claims that between 1995 and 1996, the single
largest vineyard expansion in California history occurred in this area.
In addition, the petition includes articles from the April 8, 2003,
Stockton Record and the April 18, 2003, Modesto Bee that discuss recent
vineyard development around Clay Station. Named for a popular
stagecoach stop from the California Gold Rush days and located on the
historic Borden Ranch, Clay Station is noted for its rich reddish clay
soils and large stones, which provide for well-drained soil for grape
growing, according to Stockton Record article.
The petition also included statements from local residents
regarding the use of the Borden Ranch name. For example, Jeff Sparrowk,
a longtime Clements-area rancher, notes that the Borden Ranch is well
known for its quality grazing land and vineyards. Robert Disch, a
Borden Ranch-area farmer, states that Borden Ranch has become well
known since

[[Page 40408]]

vineyard development began there in the 1970s. He adds, ``We are happy
to see the notoriety of this region increasing and can declare that the
Borden Ranch has a well-known history in our community.''
Wine industry publications have also taken notice of the Borden
Ranch area, according to several articles supplied with the petition.
An article titled ``Lodi & the Sacramento Valley Vintage 2000'' from
the Wine Institute's ``Harvest 2000'' publication comments on the
``enormous quality potential'' of newer grape growing areas ``such as
Borden Ranch.'' The Spring, 2002 edition of the ``V&E Trellis Wire,'' a
publication of the Department of Viticultural and Enology at the
University of California-Davis, includes an article about a student
field trip to the Lodi-Woodbridge wine region. The article describes
the students' visit to the Borden Ranch, which it characterized as a
4,000-acre vineyard region.

Boundary Evidence

The proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area lies between the Sierra
Range foothills to the east and the San Joaquin Valley to the west. The
proposed area's northern and southern boundaries are based on two
generally parallel streams-the Laguna, a tributary of the Cosumnes
River, in the north, and Dry Creek, a tributary of the Mokelumne River,
in the south. Both flow northeast to southwest from the Sierra
Foothills to the San Joaquin Valley.
The stream deposits from the Laguna and Dry Creek are the
distinguishing and unifying feature of the proposed Borden Ranch
viticultural area, according to the petition. The proposed area's
predominant geographical features are the high elevation, older river
terraces and hills located within the watersheds of the Laguna and Dry
Creek. These deposits and river terraces, the petition explains, extend
from the Laguna in the north to near Liberty Road at the area's
proposed southern boundary near Dry Creek. As a result, the proposed
Borden Ranch area's northern boundary follows the path of the Laguna,
while Dry Creek runs slightly north of the proposed area's southern
boundary. The petition uses roads to mark the proposed area's eastern
and western boundaries.

Distinguishing Features

Topography
As explained in the petition, the proposed Borden Ranch
viticultural area has distinctive terrain due to its location between
the Laguna and Dry Creek streams and its location at the base of the
Sierra Foothills. The river terraces and stream deposits left by the
Laguna and Dry Creek throughout the proposed Borden Ranch area are its
distinguishing and unifying feature, according to the petition. The
petition notes that the proposed area's lower, western elevations also
have prairie mounds and vernal pools along these river terraces. Hills
and ridges, which are the eroded remnants of very old river deposits,
are found near the Sierra Foothills in the proposed area's higher
eastern elevations. In addition, the petition states, the oldest
alluvial fans in Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties are found in the
eastern portion of the proposed area close to the Sierras.
The proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area inclines upward toward
the Sierra Range, from 73 feet in elevation along its western boundary
to 520 feet along its eastern border, a rise of 447 feet. While these
elevations and rise are similar to the proposed Sloughhouse
viticultural area to the north of the Borden Ranch area, the proposed
Alta Mesa and Jahant areas to the west of Borden Ranch have peak
elevations of only 138 feet and 105 feet, respectively. The existing
Lodi viticultural area's eastern boundary also marks the eastern limit
of the proposed Borden Ranch area--beyond which lies the higher
elevations and more mountainous terrain of the Sierra Foothills.
Soils
The terrain within the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area
exceeds 700,000 years in age, and is distinctively older than the
terrain found in the other six proposed Lodi viticultural areas,
according to the petition. In addition, the petition notes, the oldest
valley soils in the Lodi region are found on the tops of the terraces
above the streams in the proposed Borden Ranch area. These old
Durixeralfs soils, the petition states, include the Redding,
Hicksville, Corning, and Yellowlark soil series.
In contrast, the petition states that the surface terrain in the
proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area to the north of the Borden Ranch
area and in the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area to its south
is from 125,000 and 250,000 years old, respectively, to 700,000 years
old. Additionally, the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area's soils
contain a large percentage of surface and below ground rock cobble, or
stones, a feature unique to this area, according to the petition.
Climate
The petition incorporates data from the Lodi, Sacramento, Folsom,
Camp Pardee, and Stockton weather stations, which are located near the
proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area. The proposed Borden Ranch
area, the petition notes, has a greater diversity of topographic-
climatic vineyard sites than any of the other six areas proposed for
establishment within the existing Lodi viticultural area. As the
petition explains, vineyards within the proposed Borden Ranch area are
found on hilltops or slopes, and in flat valley floors, facing
different compass directions. These topographic variables, the petition
states, are responsible for differences of sun, temperature, soil,
water, and windiness in the vineyards.
The proposed Borden Ranch area, according to the petition, is
windier, warmer, and wetter, than the lowland regions to its west. The
combination of cooling Sacramento Delta breezes from the west and cold
air drainage from the Sierra Foothills to the east, the petition
explains, generates high wind intensity and duration in the proposed
Borden Ranch area. The petition notes that this windswept environment,
in conjunction with the area's hills and stony soils, creates high
water evaporation conditions in the vineyards that lessen the vigor of
the grapevine growth.
While the Borden Ranch area's degree day total is similar to that
of the other six proposed viticultural areas discussed in this
document, its annual mean temperature of 60.4 degrees Fahrenheit is
slightly warmer than the proposed Cosumnes River, Jahant, and Mokelumne
River areas to its west. The proposed Borden Ranch area is cooler than
the Sloughhouse area to its north. Annual rainfall in the Borden Ranch
area is 20 inches, which is less than the 23 inches of the Sloughhouse
area to the north, the petition states, but higher than that of the
proposed areas to its west.

Clements Hills

Located in northern San Joaquin County, the proposed Clements Hills
viticultural area occupies much of the southeastern portion of the
established Lodi viticultural area, approximately 41 miles southeast of
Sacramento and 13 miles east of the city of Lodi. Covering 85,400
acres, of which approximately 16,000 acres are planted to grapes, the
petition states that the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area is a
hilly transitional region between the low, flat San Joaquin Valley
floor to the west and the progressively higher Sierra Foothills to the
east. The petition adds that the proposed area's high elevation river
terraces and rounded hilltops distinguish it from surrounding grape-
growing regions.

[[Page 40409]]

Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Clements Hills
petition.

Name Evidence

The small town of Clements is located in the northern portion of
the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area and is shown on the USGS
Clements map and on California highway maps. According to the petition,
Thomas Clements, who had settled in the region in 1857, donated 25
acres of land in 1882 to develop the town as a stop on the San Joaquin
and Sierra Nevada Railroad. Named for its benefactor, the town served
as a shipping point for the region's grain, wool, hops, fruit, and
other agricultural commodities.
The proposed ``Clements Hills'' viticultural area name combines the
town's name with a reference to the proposed area's hilly terrain.
Local residents, realtors, and members of the wine industry, the
petition states, commonly use the Clements Hills name to refer to the
land within the proposed area's boundaries. For example, realtor Tad
Platt states that while marketing materials formerly referred to the
``rolling hills of Clement,'' the area has become better known simply
as ``Clements Hills'' in recent years. Farmer Wesley Breitchenbucher
and businessman Jeff Myers, whose families have lived in the Clements
area for generations, also indicate that the proposed area is known as
Clements Hills, according to the petition. The petition quotes Mr.
Myers as stating that ``the red, shallow soils of the Clements Hills''
has attracted many vineyards and ranchette developments in the past
decade. In addition, the petition notes the use of the Clements Hills
name on the label of Vino Con Brio's 2001 Sangiovese wine.

Boundary Evidence

The high elevation river terraces and hills formed by the Mokelumne
River, along with the region's older soils, distinguish the proposed
Clements Hills area from surrounding areas, according to the petition.
The Clements Hills area's proposed northern boundary, along Liberty
Road, approximates the northern edge of the higher and older Mokelumne
River terraces, the petition explains. The petition adds that, north of
the proposed boundary, elevations decrease in the proposed Borden Ranch
viticultural area due to the more eroded land found in the vicinity of
Dry Creek.
The Clements Hills proposed eastern boundary follows the San
Joaquin County line, separating the proposed area from the more
mountainous Amador, Calaveras, and Stanislaus Counties. These county
lines, according to the petition, mark the transition from the rolling
hills of the Clements Hills region to the Sierra Foothills more
mountainous environment.
The Clements Hills proposed southern boundary line follows the
Calaveras River as it meanders west from the Sierra Foothills to the
San Joaquin Valley. To the north of the Calaveras River, within the
proposed area's boundaries, the terrain is made up primarily of hills
from older Mokelumne River deposits, the petition explains. Also, the
petition states, the Calaveras River's alluvial terrace and fan
deposits become progressively younger as one moves south from the
proposed area's southern boundary.
The Clements Hills proposed western boundary is along Jack Tone and
Elliott roads. To the east of these roads within the proposed area, the
petition explains, the terrain consists primarily of hilly deposits
from the older alluvial terraces and fans. The petition adds that to
the west of Jack Tone and Elliott roads beyond the Clements Hills area,
the hilly terrain gives way to younger, sandier, and lower alluvial fan
formations and eventually the flat San Joaquin valley floor.

Distinguishing Features

Topography
The proposed Clements Hills viticultural area is located between
the flat, low elevations of the San Joaquin Valley floor to its west
and the higher Sierra Foothills elevations to its east, according to
the petition. Elevations within the proposed boundary area increase
from a low of 90 feet on its western, San Joaquin Valley side to
greater than 400 feet high at its eastern boundary line, according to
the provided USGS maps. The petition also notes that the hilltops
within the Clements Hills proposed viticultural area are distinctively
convex and rounded. The Clements Hills, the petition states, contrast
with the flat valley terrain to the west, the flat hilltops of the
proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area to the north, and the more
mountainous environment of the Sierras. Through time and weather, the
petition adds, the bluffs and terraces of the Mokelumne River have
become smooth topped, rolling hills that extend toward the proposed
Clements Hills area's southern boundary at the Calaveras River.
Soils
The petition explains that the soils found within the proposed
Clements Hills proposed viticultural area are old and primarily
classified as Haploxerailfs, Durixeralfs, and Palexeralfs. These brown,
red and yellow loams, clay loams, and clays, the petition states,
principally belong to the Redding, Cometa, Yellowlark, and Montpellier
soil series. Also, the petition notes, these low vigor soils have
higher water holding capacities than the stony soils to the north in
the proposed Borden Ranch viticultural area, but less than the loamy
soils to the west in the proposed Mokelumne River area. The Storie
Index rates the soils in the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area
at between 15 and 30, according to the petition.
Climate
Using data from the Lodi, Sacramento, Folsom, Stockton, and Camp
Pardee weather stations, which are located close to the proposed
Clements Hills viticultural area, the petition states that the proposed
Clements Hills viticultural area is warmer and wetter than the regions
to its west. As documented in the petition, the mean annual temperature
of the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area is 60.5 degrees
Fahrenheit, which is the same as the Alta Mesa area's mean annual
temperature. Also, only the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area,
north of the Clements Hills region, experiences a warmer annual mean
temperature in the Lodi area. The Clements Hills area annual degree day
total is approximately 100 degrees higher than those of the proposed
Mokelumne River and Jahant viticultural areas to the west, according to
the petition.
The petition notes that fog is less frequent in the proposed
Clements Hills viticultural area than in the lower elevation San
Joaquin valley floor areas to its west and, therefore, the proposed
area receives more hours of warming sunshine. Reduced winds also help
warm the proposed Clements Hills area, according the petition. Although
the proposed area receives consistent Sacramento Delta breezes, the
hilly terrain of the proposed Clements Hills area, the petition notes,
reduces the marine wind speed and movement across the proposed area.
Air drainage from the higher slopes to the east, the petition adds,
reduces frost occurrences in the proposed viticultural area as well.
Rainfall in the proposed Clements Hills viticultural area averages
21 to 22 inches annually, according to the petition, which is more than
what the lower elevation proposed Jahant and Mokelumne River areas to
its west and the proposed Borden Ranch area to its north receive. The
petition explains that the proposed Clements Hills area's hilly
topography and its location just west of

[[Page 40410]]

the Sierra Mountains bring more rain to the area since these higher
elevations cause moisture-laden Pacific air to rise, forcing the air's
moisture to condense and fall to the ground.

Cosumnes River

The proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area is in the
northwestern portion of the existing Lodi viticultural area,
approximately 20 miles south of the city of Sacramento and 14 miles
north of the city of Lodi. Approximately 3,000 acres of the 54,700
acres within the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area are
currently planted to grapes, according to the petition. The climate of
the proposed viticultural area, providing most notably a relatively
cool and windy growing season, as well as its young, alluvial soils and
low-elevation terrain distinguish the proposed area from surrounding
areas, according to the petition.
Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Cosumnes River
petition.

Name Evidence

The May 2001 California State Automobile Association ``Central
California'' map shows the Cosumnes River from its headwaters in the
Sierra Range to its confluence with the Mokelumne River between Walnut
Grove and Thornton, California. The lower portion of the river flows
through the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. The USGS
quadrangle maps for Bruceville, Elk Grove, and Galt, California, which
are used to define portions of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural
area boundary, identify the Cosumnes River and show its northeast-to-
southwest path through the proposed area. The LAVA Committee considered
using the ``Upper Cosumnes'' and ``Lower Cosumnes'' names for the
proposed ``Sloughhouse'' and ``Cosumnes River'' viticultural areas,
respectively, but believes the proposed name choices are more
appropriate.
As noted in the petition, the Cosumnes River name is associated
with other places within the proposed viticultural area. For example,
the Cosumnes River Preserve, located between Interstate Highways 5 and
State Route 99 in southern Sacramento County, is also prominently shown
on the California State Automobile Association's Central California
map. The petition explains that this Nature Conservancy preserve, a
1,450-acre protected natural area and wildlife habitat, is in the heart
of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. Also, Cosumnes River
College is located in the suburbs of Sacramento, just north of the
proposed area's northern boundary.
Historically, the petition explains, the name ``Cosumnes'' comes
from the Native American Miwok people's term for ``salmon people.'' The
petition adds that an alternative Miwok translation is ``the place of
the koso berry.'' John Sutter, an early settler, provides an 1841
written reference to the term ``Cosumnes River,'' the petition states,
and 1845 and 1848 maps by John Fremont label this waterway as the
``Cosumnes River.'' The March 1, 1851, edition of the Stockton Times,
in describing the region, states: ``Some of the earlier settlements
made in this country were along the Cosumnes''.

Boundary Evidence

The existing Lodi viticultural area boundary marks the limits of
the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area to the north and west. To
the east, the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area shares a
boundary with the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area, and, to the
south, with the proposed Jahant and Mokelumne River viticultural areas.
A portion of the Mokelumne River marks the proposed area's southern
boundary line.
The proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area lies south of the
city of Sacramento and borders the west side of the town of Galt. The
proposed area primarily produces white wine grape varietals, as
compared to red grape varietals in areas to the east and a mixture of
red and white grape varietals in areas to the south.

Distinguishing Features

The relatively cool and windy growing season of the proposed
Cosumnes River viticultural area, its young, alluvial soils, and its
low-elevation terrain distinguish the proposed area from surrounding
areas, according to the petition.
Topography
The petition explains that the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural
area topography includes wetlands, natural and artificial levees,
sloughs, streams, and the Cosumnes River. In addition, the Mokelumne
River marks a portion of the area's southern boundary. A large alluvial
fan crosses the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area and slopes
towards its southwest corner.
The low elevations found in the proposed Cosumnes River
viticultural area distinguish it from the surrounding, higher-elevation
areas, the petition states. At its southwestern corner, where the
Cosumnes River joins the Mokelumne River, the elevation of the proposed
Cosumnes River viticultural area dips to almost sea level. Elevations
within the proposed area gradually rise to a high point of 48 feet at
its southeast corner, according to the provided USGS maps. In contrast,
the petition notes, the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area, to the
east of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area, has elevations
to 138 feet. To the south, the proposed Jahant viticultural area rises
to 80 feet in elevation, and the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural
area rises to 85 feet, according to the petition.
Soils
The proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area, the petition
explains, is dominated by young, alluvial soils that distinguish it
from the surrounding areas. The petition notes that 60 percent of the
agricultural land within the proposed area is covered by a series of
younger alluvial and organic soils, Xerothents and Histosols. These
younger soils, the petition continues, predominate in the lower areas,
including the floodplains, sloughs, and wetlands, and around the
Cosumnes River and its tributaries along the western side of the
proposed viticultural area. The intermediate-age, deep reddish,
gravelly clay loam soils of the San Joaquin series cover the remaining
40 percent of the agricultural land within the proposed Cosumnes River
viticultural area, according to the petition. These soils, classified
as Abruptic Durixeralfs, have good water-holding capacity and moderate
fertility.
To the east of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area, the
proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area soils are of intermediate age, and
about 90 percent of its soils are from the San Joaquin series,
according to the petition. To the south, the proposed Jahant and
Mokelumne River viticultural areas have a combination of young and
intermediate in age soils. According to the petition, the Storie Index
places the Cosumnes River soils at between 24 and 40 points for
suitability.
Climate
The petition provides statistics and data from the Lodi,
Sacramento, and Folsom weather stations, which are close to the
proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. Overall, according to the
petition, the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area has a cool and
breezy climate.
With mean annual temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the
proposed Cosumnes River and Mokelumne River viticultural areas are the
coolest of the proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document,
according to the

[[Page 40411]]

petition. The petition adds that the proposed Cosumnes River
viticultural area sustains intermediate level winds. The surrounding
areas to the north and east are warmer and have less wind than the
proposed Cosumnes River area, according to the petition. Also, to the
south, the proposed Jahant and Mokelumne River viticultural areas have
similar cool and strong marine winds.
The petition notes that the Pacific Ocean's cooling breezes funnel
eastward through San Francisco's Golden Gate, the Carquinez Strait, and
the Sacramento Delta to reach the Lodi area. These marine breezes cool
the Lodi area's lower elevations, including the Cosumnes River
floodplain and the areas to the river's south. The intensity and effect
of these cooling winds, according to the petition, dissipate as they
continue eastward over the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area to
the proposed Alta Mesa and Sloughhouse viticultural areas.
The petition states that maritime and inland fog is persistent in
the low elevations of the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area.
This fog cools the proposed viticultural area more than the surrounding
areas, which are less influenced by the maritime winds. The annual
precipitation within the proposed Cosumnes area is 17.4 inches,
according to the petition, which is more than the low elevation areas
to its immediate south, but less than the high elevation regions to the
north and east of the proposed viticultural area's boundaries.

Jahant

The proposed Jahant viticultural area is located in the center of
the existing Lodi viticultural area, about 29 miles south of the city
of Sacramento and 7 miles north of the city of Lodi. Currently,
approximately 8,000 acres of the 28,000 acres within the proposed
Jahant viticultural area are planted to grapes, according to the
petition. The pink Jahant loam soil found in the proposed viticultural
area is its most distinguishing characteristic, according to the
petition, giving the Jahant area a unique grape-growing environment.
Also, the petition notes that the proposed Jahant viticultural area's
climate is cooler, dryer, and windier than most of the other proposed
viticultural areas discussed in this document. The petition adds that
the terrain within the proposed Jahant viticultural area is noted for
its river terraces and old floodplain deposits.
Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Jahant petition.

Name Evidence

The ``Jahant'' name is associated with the central portion of the
established Lodi viticultural area in southern Sacramento and northern
San Joaquin Counties, according to the petition. The name comes from
Peter Jahant and several of his brothers, all 1850s settlers to the
area, the petition states. The Jahant family settled and successfully
farmed in the Acampo area of the Lodi region, and, in 1912, Peter
Jahant's son Charles planted 130 acres to grapes on the original family
farm and on additional purchased land.
Jahant Slough and Jahant Road, a light-duty, east-west road, are
shown on the Lodi North and Lockeford USGS maps, in the approximate
center of the proposed Jahant viticultural area. Also, Jahant Road is
shown in sections B-4, B-5, C-5, and C-6 of the Gold Country map,
published in April 2002 by the California State Automobile Association.
The Jahant Equestrian Center is on Jahant Road, and some area vineyards
use Jahant in their names, according to the petition.

Boundary Evidence

The petition states that the unique pink Rocklin-Jahant loam soils
found within the proposed Jahant viticultural area and the deep
dissections through river deposits left by flooding within the past
20,000 years distinguish the proposed Jahant area from the surrounding
proposed viticultural areas. To the south, the proposed Mokelumne River
viticultural area has predominantly young, light-colored sandy soils,
the petition notes, while to the north the proposed Alta Mesa
viticultural area has predominantly intermediate-age red soils. The
petition states that the boundaries of the proposed Jahant viticultural
area encompass the extent of the Jahant soils within the existing Lodi
viticultural area.
The petition also explains that dissected river terraces and old
floodplain deposits, located between Dry Creek and the Mokelumne River,
distinguish the proposed Jahant area from the surrounding areas. Dry
Creek is part of the northern boundary of the proposed Jahant
viticultural area, and the creek flows through its northwest section.
The Mokelumne River forms the western boundary of the proposed Jahant
area, close to where it joins with the Cosumnes River, according to the
provided USGS maps.

Distinguishing Features

Topography
Elevations in the proposed Jahant viticultural area vary from about
10 feet to 100 feet, according to USGS maps of the area. Also, these
elevations rise from the west to the east, increasing toward the Sierra
Range. The proposed viticultural area, the petition explains, is
bounded by rivers on its north and west and is dotted with small lakes
and sloughs. The larger Tracy Lake lies in the area's southwest, while
a gas field lies in the area's southeast corner. The contours of the
area, predominantly river terraces and old, eroded floodplain deposits,
the petition continues, have developed from the actions of Dry Creek
and the Mokelumne River.
Soils
The proposed Jahant viticultural area, located primarily between
Dry Creek and the Mokelumne River, has distinctive pink Rocklin-Jahant
soils that are principally sandy loams and sandy clay loams with
massive structure, thickness, and hardened depth, the petition
explains. The soils are classified as Mollic Pelexeralfs. These old
soils, the petition continues, have younger sandy surfaces and are
generally different in structure, thickness, and depth from the San
Joaquin deep reddish, gravelly clay loam soils found north of the
proposed Jahant viticultural area. To the south, the petition states,
the light sandy loam Tokay and Acampo soils are young, deep and well
drained, tend to be granular and crumbly, and of a fine texture without
gravel, in contrast to the Jahant soils.
Climate
The petition provides statistics and data from the Lodi,
Sacramento, Folsom, Camp Pardee, and Stockton weather stations, which
are close to the proposed Cosumnes River viticultural area. The
proposed Jahant viticultural area, the petition comments, has cool
climatic characteristics similar to those of the proposed Mokelumne
River viticultural area to the south. Both regions, according to the
petition, receive the Pacific marine breezes that funnel east from the
San Francisco Golden Gate, through the Carquinez Strait, the Sacramento
Delta, and into the Lodi area. The petition also notes the cooling
effect of persistent valley and coastal fog within the proposed
boundaries.
The winds in the proposed Jahant viticultural area are of high
intensity and prolonged duration, similar to those of the proposed
Mokelumne River

[[Page 40412]]

viticultural area to the south, the petition states. In contrast, to
the north and northeast of the proposed Jahant area, the proposed Alta
Mesa and Sloughhouse viticultural areas have less wind intensity and
warmer temperatures, according to the petition.
The mean annual temperature of the proposed Jahant viticultural
area is 60.1 degrees Fahrenheit, which is lower than that of the other
proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document except for the
Cosumnes River and Mokelumne River areas, each of which has a slightly
lower mean annual temperature of 60.0 degrees, according to the
petition. Also, the degree day totals for the Jahant area are between
100 and 400 degree days lower than those of the other parts of the Lodi
region, except for the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area to
the immediate south. Finally, the Jahant area's annual rainfall is 18.0
inches, which is less than rainfall totals in the other areas of the
Lodi region with the exception of proposed Cosumnes River and Mokelumne
River viticultural areas.

Mokelumne River

The proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area is in northern San
Joaquin County in the southwestern portion of the existing Lodi
viticultural area. According to the petition, the proposed Mokelumne
River viticultural area covers 85,700 acres, of which approximately
42,000 acres are vineyards. The young alluvial fan created by the
Mokelumne River distinguishes the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural
area from the surrounding areas, the petition states. In addition, the
distinctively breezy climate of this proposed viticultural area is the
coolest within the original Lodi viticultural area, according to the
petition.
Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Mokelumne River
petition.

Name Evidence

Historically, the ``Mokelumne'' name is derived from the Miwok
Indians and has been translated as ``the place of the fish net,''
according to the petition. Known earlier as the Rio Mokellemos, the
present spelling of Mokelumne was set in 1848 by John C. Fremont, as
documented in the ``California Place Names,'' by Erwin Gudde, published
in 1960 by the University of California Press.
The Mokelumne River, which flows west from the Sierras into the San
Joaquin Valley, is shown on a number of USGS maps, including the
Lockeford, Lodi North, Bruceville, Thornton, Clements, and Wallace
maps. Other maps also show the river, including the Gold Country map
published by the California State Automobile Association in April 2002.

Boundary Evidence

The petition explains that the ``classic, young'' alluvial fan of
the Mokelumne River extends east-to-west through the proposed Mokelumne
River viticultural area. Given its distinctive geology and topography,
the river's alluvial fan contrasts with the geology and topography of
the other proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document and
the areas beyond. According to the petition, east of Jack Tone Road,
beyond the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area boundary line,
are the older terrace deposits of the proposed Clements Hills
viticultural area, while south of the proposed boundary, toward Linden
and Farmington, the coarse deposits of the Calaveras River alluvial fan
contrast with the sandy loam of the proposed Mokelumne River
viticultural area. To the west of Interstate 5, and beyond the original
Lodi viticultural area western boundary line, very young organic and
inorganic soils dominate the Sacramento Delta region, according to the
petition. To the north of the proposed Mokelumne River area boundary
line are the older river deposits that distinguish the Jahant region.

Distinguishing Features

Topography
The Mokelumne River meanders through the northern portion of the
proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area, while creeks, sloughs, a
canal, and an aqueduct run through its interior. Also, the city of Lodi
is located on the south bank of the Mokelumne River in the approximate
center of the proposed viticultural area.
The topography of the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area is
dominated by a relatively young alluvial fan over an intermediate age
fan, according to the petition. To the east, the fan joins with the
older Mokelumne River terrace deposits along Jack Tone Road, which
serves as part of the boundary line for the proposed viticultural area,
the petition notes. The Mokelumne River alluvial fan extends from the
higher eastern elevations of the Clements region to the lower
elevations along Interstate 5 and Eight Mile Road to the southwest,
according to the provided USGS maps and the petition. The USGS maps of
the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area show elevations sloping
downward to the west from a high of 100 feet at the northeast corner of
the proposed area to a low of 5 feet at its southwest corner.
Soils
The petition explains that sandy loam Tokay and Acampo soils
dominate the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area. These soils
are young, deep and drain well, according to the petition. Also, the
soils tend to be granular and crumbly, of a fine texture and without
gravel. The sandy loams in the region, the petition describes, are
generally between 6 and 12 feet in depth with low moisture holding
capacity, especially in the western portion of the proposed area.
Climate
The petition uses climate statistics and data from the Lodi weather
station, which is located near the proposed Mokelumne River
viticultural area. The climates of the proposed Mokelumne River and
Cosumnes River viticultural areas are the coolest within the existing
Lodi viticultural area, the petition explains. However, as the petition
notes, the Mokelumne River area has less heat accumulation than the
Cosumnes River area due to the Mokelumne area's exposure to more
intense cooling marine winds.
The proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area, the petition
continues, is the closest of the seven proposed Lodi viticultural areas
to the Carquinez Strait that funnels cool Pacific Ocean breezes
eastward from the Golden Gate, through the Sacramento Delta, to the
Lodi area. The winds in the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural area
are of high intensity and prolonged duration, blowing more than 70
percent of the time, the petition states. The winds lose little
intensity as they cross the low elevations and flat terrain within the
proposed boundaries, according to the petition.
The mean annual temperature within the proposed Mokelumne
viticultural area is 60.0 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the same as the
Cosumnes River area to the north but lower than that of each of the
other proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document, according
to the petition. While the mean annual temperatures of the Mokelumne
and Cosumnes areas are the same, the annual degree day total for the
Mokelumne area is between 50 and 450 degree days lower than the totals
for the other six proposed viticultural areas discussed in this
document. Rainfall within the proposed Mokelumne River viticultural
area is 17.57 inches, which is the next-to-lowest of the seven

[[Page 40413]]

proposed viticultural areas discussed in this document, the petition
states.

Sloughhouse

The proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area is located in southern
Sacramento County, approximately 21 miles southeast of the city of
Sacramento and 22 miles north of the city of Lodi. Located in the
northeastern portion of the existing Lodi viticultural area,
approximately 7,000 acres within the 78,800-acre proposed Sloughhouse
viticultural area are currently planted to grapes, according to the
petition.
The petition states that warmer temperatures, more rain, less fog,
higher elevations, and older soils distinguish the proposed Sloughhouse
viticultural area from the other proposed viticultural areas discussed
in this document. The proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area, which is
also adjacent to the established Sierra Foothills viticultural area (27
CFR 9.120), has rolling plains and hilly terrain that transitions to
the Sierra Foothills further east, according to the petition.
Below, we summarize the evidence presented in the Sloughhouse
petition.

Name Evidence

The Sacramento Bee newspaper published an article on January 19,
1998, detailing the history of the Sloughhouse region. In the 1850's
the Sloughhouse Inn, which gave the region its name, was a popular
stagecoach stop. According to the article, the building, rebuilt
several times after fires, is a registered California historical
landmark. Today, the Sloughhouse Inn is a restaurant. Modern usage of
the Sloughhouse name, according to petition evidence, is also seen in
the names of the Sloughhouse Resource Conservation District, the
Sloughhouse Fire Protection District, and the Sloughhouse Area
Genealogical Society.
The USGS Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) database lists
``Sloughhouse'' as a populated place in Sacramento County, California.
The USGS Sloughhouse quadrangle map shows the hamlet of Sloughhouse
along State Road 16 on the Township 7 and 8 North line, between Ranges
6 and 7 East. Sloughhouse Road, a secondary road, is shown on the USGS
Elk Grove and Sloughhouse maps within the proposed viticultural area
boundary lines.

Boundary Evidence

Warmer temperatures, less intense winds, more rainfall, and greater
climatic variations distinguish the proposed Sloughhouse viticultural
area from the surrounding areas within the existing Lodi viticultural
area according to the petition. It adds that elevations within the
proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area are generally higher and the
soils older than the other surrounding proposed viticultural areas. The
distinguishing Sloughhouse terrain and climatic characteristics, the
petition explains, make this proposed viticultural area significantly
different from the surrounding areas. Red varietals, including Cabernet
Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Zinfandel, are popular in the
Sloughhouse area as they can withstand drought and other climatic
variations, the petition states.
The proposed Sloughhouse area's outer boundaries follow a portion
of the existing Lodi viticultural area northern and eastern boundary
lines, and the proposed area abuts the established Sierra Foothills
viticultural area western boundary line. The petition explains that the
shared Lodi and Sierra Foothills viticultural areas boundary line,
which coincides with the Amador County line, is the logical division
between the valley and mountain environments.

Distinguishing Features

Topography
The proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area, the petition states,
has the most diverse terrain of the seven proposed viticultural areas
discussed in this document. Gently rolling hills, flat creek and river
valleys, plains, and an alluvial fan characterize the proposed
viticultural area, according to the petition.
The proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area ranges in elevation from
a low of 73 feet in its southwest region to a high of 590 feet in its
northeast region, according to the provided USGS maps. The northeast
region of Sloughhouse, which has the highest elevations in the proposed
area, slopes upward and becomes the bedrock-based foothills of the
Sierra Range, the petition notes. These higher elevations are similar
to Borden Ranch to the south, but contrast with the lower elevations of
between 35 and 138 feet of the proposed Alta Mesa viticultural area to
the west.
Three significant waterways, the Cosumnes River and its Deer Creek
and Laguna tributaries flow west from the Sierra Foothills through the
proposed Sloughhouse viticultural area. Deer Creek constitutes the
northeastern boundary line of the proposed viticultural area, as noted
in the petition's boundary description. Deer Creek, according to USGS
maps, then meanders southwesterly through the interior of the proposed
Sloughhouse area. The Cosumnes River runs roughly parallel to Deer
Creek and through the approximate midd

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