Potter Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) within the Potter Valley landform located in east central Mendocino County, California centered around the town of Potter Valley. It was established as the nation's 28th, the state's 31st and the county's sixth appellation[8] on October 13, 1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing a petition submitted by The California Wine Company on behalf of local growers proposing a viticultural area in Mendocino County named "Potter Valley."[5]
| Wine region | |
 Mendocino County AVAs | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1983[1] |
| Years of wine industry | 56[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, North Coast AVA, Mendocino County, Mendocino AVA |
| Other regions in California, North Coast AVA, Mendocino County, Mendocino AVA | Anderson Valley AVA, Cole Ranch AVA, Covelo AVA, Dos Rios AVA, McDowell Valley AVA, Redwood Valley AVA, Yorkville Highlands AVA |
| Growing season | 197 days[3] |
| Climate region | Region III[1] |
| Heat units | 3,139 GDD units[4] |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 40–50 inches (1,016–1,270 mm)[5] |
| Total area | 27,000 acres (42 sq mi)[1] |
| Size of planted vineyards | 11,000 acres (4,452 ha)[1] |
| No. of vineyards | 6[6] |
| Grapes produced | Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Zinfandel[2][7] |
| Varietals produced | Rosé[2] |
| No. of wineries | 5[6] |
The petition was developed after a meeting of a majority of the growers who own or operate vineyards in the area. Nearly all other 12 growers in or near the area were contacted and no group or individual was found to be in opposition to the boundaries.[9] Wine grape growers in Potter Valley emerged in the 1970s when Guinness McFadden planted his first vines.[10] Todd Family Vineyards & Farms, Vecino Vineyards and a few smaller vineyards followed.[6] There are approximately 11,000 acres (4,452 ha) of vineyards found in all parts of the area. This appellation is located to the east of the Redwood Valley AVA and sits at an elevation approximately 200 feet (61 m) higher than the surrounding areas. The proximity to the nearby Eel River watershed has created favorable conditions for the production of botrytized wines, particularly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon.[7][5]
Terroir
editTopography
editPotter Valley viticultural area is surrounded by mountains on all sides rising over 600 feet (183 m) in elevation from the valley floor. The floor of Potter Valley ranges in elevation from about 920 to 1,020 feet (280–311 m). The boundaries range into the mountainous areas surrounding the valley floor so as not to exclude small areas of tillable ground located in the surrounding hills. The rugged terrain of untillable ground in the surrounding mountains insures the separation of Potter Valley from other viticultural areas located within Mendocino County. The eastern boundary has been set to correspond with the Mendocino viticultural area. Specific boundaries of the viticultural area are based on U.S.G.S. maps with the boundaries prominently marked are on file with ATF. Soil maps and a publication on climate from the University of California Cooperative Extension Service.[1]
Climate
editPotter Valley is a valley surrounded by mountains with a transitional climate dominated at times by the coastal influence of the Pacific Ocean or by interior continental air masses. Potter Valley is classified as a Region III grape-growing area.[1] The USDA plant hardiness zones range from 8b to 9b.[11]
Soils
editThe soils of Potter Valley are primarily of Cole, San Ysidro, Botella and Pinole series while the nearby Redwood Valley is predominantly Noyo and Newton soils.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Potter Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. ATF-151; Ret Notice No. 452] Final Rule). Federal Register. 48 (199). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 46520–46522. October 13, 1983.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - 1 2 3 "'Keep Chugging Along': Potter Valley wine grape grower defies early critics, embodies evolution". Grow West Newsletter. August 3, 2022. Archived from the original on April 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Frost Dates for Potter Valley, CA". Almanac.com. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ↑ "Growing Degree Days" (Growing Degree Days for Potter Valley, CA (95469)). Greencast. Syngenta. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Merritt Jr., John B. (July 28, 1982). "Petition Establishing Potter Valley Viticultural Area" (PDF). TTB.gov. The California Wine Company. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- 1 2 3 Villano, Matt (April 6, 2008). "The vineyards of Potter Valley". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019.
- 1 2 "Potter Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2008.
- ↑ "List of AVAs by Establishment Date". TTB.gov. 2024. Archived from the original on February 5, 2025. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
- ↑ "Proposed Potter Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [Notice No. 452] Proposed). Federal Register. 48 (28). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 5955–5956. February 9, 1983. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ↑ "Mendocino Co.: At The Mcfadden Family's Farm, Potter Valley Harvests Go From Field To Wreath". San Francisco Chronicle. December 19, 2025. Archived from the original on April 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Potter Valley - American Viticultural Area (AVA)". Plantmaps.com. United States Department of Agriculture. 2012. Retrieved November 18, 2025.