York Mountain AVA

York Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, California. It lies within the larger Central Coast AVA located on the eastern side of the Santa Lucia Mountains and west of Paso Robles viticultural area. The mountainous terrain features vineyards that are mostly cultivated at an elevation around 1500 ft. York Mountain climate is cooler and wetter than Paso Robles being just 8 mile from the Pacific Ocean. York Mountain viticultural area was recognized as the county’s second AVA by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) effective on September 23, 1983 after reviewing the petition submitted by Stephen and Max Goldman, owners of York Mountain Winery, to establish a area known as “York Mountain.” Historically, Andrew York, a British immigrant, planted the first vineyard on York Mountain in the 1870s and established Ascension Winery, the first bonded winery in the Central Coast. It survived through Prohibtion and later renamed York Mountain Winery, staying in the York family until 1970 when it was purchased by Max Goldman.

Terroir
York Mountain viticultural area is distinguished from surrounding areas by being 7 mile from the Pacific Ocean and the influence of the cool maritime fog; its situated on the eastern slopes of the Santa Lucia Range where elevations range from 1512 to(-); the rainfall averages 45 to(-) annually which is about double of neighboring inland Paso Robles areas and a classification of Region I as compared to Regions III and IV for adjacent areas.

Industry
After subsequent ownerships, York Mountain Winery was renamed “Epoch Estate Wines” that restored the historic York Mountain Winery building as their Tasting Room. Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc are commercially grown in the AVA.