© Masút Vineyard and Winery
Eagle Peak Mendocino County is an AVA in Mendocino County, in northern California. It takes its name from the nearby Eagle Peak summit, and covers a mountainous area situated within California's Coastal Range just west of Redwood Valley AVA. In true Mendocino County fashion, Pinot Noir is king here, making balanced, lush red wines that are quite distinct from those made further south.
The AVA encompasses approximately 49 hectares (120 acres) of cultivated vines divided between five producers: Masút Vineyards and Winery, Golden Vineyards, Linholme Vineyards, Sea Biscuit South Vineyards and Turan Vineyards. Masút is the sole winery and is owned and run by the Fetzer family, key players in the foundation of the Eagle Peak Mendocino County AVA in November 2014.
The decision on what to call the new AVA, however, had proved slightly problematic. Fetzer Vineyards, which had been sold by the Fetzer family to Chilean wine producer Concha y Toro, some years prior, had a wine named "Eagle Peak" and Concha Y Toro had objections to the AVA's proposed name of Eagle Peak. Fortunately a rather neat solution was found – "Mendocino County" was added to the AVA's full name.
The hilly terrain, with vineyards reaching as high as 3200ft (975m) in elevation, is the AVA's main point of difference. Sunny south- and east-facing sites benefit from a cool, marine-influenced climate that ensures a long growing season and a balance of flavor and acidity in the grapes. The steep slopes help with air movement, greatly reducing the risk of frost.
Eagle Peak Mendocino County also benefits from the thin, gravelly soils that help to drain water rapidly out of the vineyard, reducing disease pressure and helping curb leafy canopy growth. However, sometimes drainage is too efficient and irrigation is necessary to keep the vines hydrated throughout the growing season.
