[Federal Register: January 24, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 15)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 3088-3092]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24ja07-25]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau
27 CFR Part 9
[Notice No. 71]
RIN 1513-AB27
Proposed Establishment of the Paso Robles Westside Viticultural
Area (2006R-087P)
AGENCY: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau proposes to
establish the 179,622-acre ``Paso Robles Westside'' viticultural area
in San Luis Obispo County, California. The proposed viticultural area
is totally within the existing Paso Robles and Central Coast
viticultural areas. 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. We invite comments on this
proposed addition to our regulations.
DATES: We must receive written comments on or before March 26, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments to any of the following addresses:
Director, Regulations and Rulings Division, Alcohol and
Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Attn: Notice No. 71, P.O. Box 14412,
Washington, DC 20044-4412.
202-927-8525 (facsimile).
nprm@ttb.gov (e-mail).
http://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine_rulemaking.shtml. An online
comment form is posted with this notice on our Web site.
http://www.regulations.gov (Federal e-rulemaking portal;
follow instructions for submitting comments).
You may view copies of this notice, the petition, the appropriate
maps, and any comments we receive about this proposal by appointment at
the TTB Information Resource Center, 1310 G Street, NW., Washington, DC
20220. To make an appointment, call 202-927-2400. You may also access
copies of the notice and comments online at http://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine_rulemaking.shtml
.
See the Public Participation section of this notice for specific
instructions and requirements for submitting comments, and for
information on how to request a public hearing.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: N. A. Sutton, Regulations and Rulings
Division, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, 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.
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 geographic 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 geographic 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.
Paso Robles Westside Petition
TTB has received a petition from Holland & Knight LLP, San
Francisco, California, proposing the establishment of the ``Paso Robles
Westside'' American viticultural area in northern San Luis Obispo
County, California. The petition was filed on behalf of 21 vintners and
grape growers with interests in the proposed viticultural area, which
is located approximately 20 miles east of the Pacific Ocean and 180
miles south of San Francisco. There are, according to the petitioner,
approximately 2,425 acres within the proposed viticultural area
currently dedicated to commercial vineyards.
Relationship to Existing Viticultural Areas
The proposed 179,622-acre Paso Robles Westside viticultural area is
entirely within the existing 609,564-acre Paso Robles viticultural area
(27 CFR 9.84), which in turn is entirely within the existing, multi-
county Central Coast viticultural area (27 CFR 9.75). The Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), TTB's predecessor agency,
established the Paso Robles viticultural area in 1983 (see T.D. ATF-
148, 48 FR 45239, October 4, 1983). In 1996, ATF expanded the Paso
Robles viticultural area along its western boundary, increasing the
viticultural area's size from approximately 557,000 acres to 609,564
acres (see T.D. ATF-377, 61 FR 29952, June 13, 1996).
[[Page 3089]]
As currently defined, the existing Paso Robles viticultural area
lies in northern San Luis Obispo County, California, along the east and
west sides of the Salinas River. The area forms a rough rectangle that
runs from the Monterey County line in the north to just beyond the town
of Santa Margarita in the south. The existing area generally extends
from the Kern County line in the east to the inland side of the Santa
Lucia Mountains in the west.
The proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural area consists of the
portion of the existing Paso Robles viticultural area that is west of
the Salinas River. Therefore, the existing Paso Robles viticultural
area boundaries located west of the Salinas River are concurrent with
the northern, western, and southern boundaries of the proposed Paso
Robles Westside viticultural area. The Salinas River serves as the
eastern boundary of the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural
area. If TTB establishes the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural
area, that action would not affect the existing Paso Robles
viticultural area, which would continue as an American viticultural
area in its own right within its current boundary.
A portion of the western boundary of the existing Paso Robles
viticultural area abuts the 6,350-acre York Mountain viticultural area
(27 CFR 9.80), which is also located within the Central Coast
viticultural area. If established, a portion of the western boundary of
the Paso Robles Westside viticultural area would, therefore, also abut
the York Mountain viticultural area. If TTB establishes the proposed
Paso Robles Westside viticultural area, that action would not affect
the York Mountain viticultural area; it would continue unchanged within
its current boundary.
We summarize below the supporting evidence presented with the
petition.
Name Evidence
The ``Paso Robles'' name evidence discussed in T.D. ATF-148
justifies the use of ``Paso Robles'' as a geographic place name for the
Paso Robles viticultural area. According to that evidence, the full
Spanish name, ``El Paso de Robles,'' translates to ``the Pass of the
Oaks.'' People traveling between the missions at San Miguel and San
Luis Obispo originally named the region, T.D. ATF-148 explains.
T.D. ATF-377, which expanded the western boundary of the original
Paso Robles viticultural area, included evidence substantiating the use
of the ``Paso Robles'' name for that expansion area. The current
petition states that the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural
area, which includes the 1996 expansion of the Paso Robles viticultural
area, is locally and nationally known as the distinctive western
portion of the Paso Robles viticultural area.
The petitioner explains that the Salinas River divides the Paso
Robles region into east and west sides. Local residents and the media
refer to ``east'' or ``west'' when describing locations within the Paso
Robles region, according to the petition. In 2002, the City of Paso
Robles Web site explained that water and sewer billing cycles were
based on a property's location east or west of the Salinas River.
Real estate articles and advertisements, provided by the
petitioner, identify some vacation rentals and residential property as
being located in the Paso Robles west side region. Chanticleer Vineyard
Bed and Breakfast in Paso Robles describes its location ``in Paso
Robles Westside among vineyards * * *.'' Windward Vineyard and Tablas
Creek Winery informational materials also note that their vineyards are
within the Paso Robles west side area.
The October 2005 Wine Enthusiast magazine published an article by
Steve Heimoff entitled ``The West Side Story'' that describes the
growth of viticulture on the west side of the Paso Robles viticultural
area. The article includes a section, ``Nine Westerners to Watch,''
that names and describes some wine industry members whose operations
are located in the western portion of the Paso Robles viticultural
area.
A March 21, 2001, article headlined ``Bothersome Bottleneck'' in
the San Luis Obispo Tribune newspaper stated that expansion of the
Niblock Bridge over the Salinas River, connecting the west and east
sides of Paso Robles, was creating traffic delays and detours. An April
11, 2001, Tribune article, ``Weather Worries Paso Growers'' described
the weather-related damage from recent cold nights to vineyards on the
west side of Paso Robles. The petition also included a May 25, 1994,
San Francisco Chronicle food section article, ``From Plonk to Premium,
Paso Robles Offers It All,'' by Gerald Asher, which discussed zinfandel
grapes from Paso Robles west side growers.
Boundary Evidence
The history of Paso Robles grape growing, as noted in T.D. ATF-148,
started with the inception of the California mission system. Mission
San Miguel, founded in 1797 and located north of the town of Paso
Robles, produced wines from grapes harvested nearby. The Rotta Winery,
located on the west side of Paso Robles and now known as Tablas Creek
Winery, started producing wine about 1890, according to T.D. ATF-148.
Also, according to T.D. ATF-148, San Luis Obispo County maintains
historical records of grape plantings in the County as early as 1873.
As noted above, the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural area
encompasses that portion of the existing Paso Robles viticultural area
west of the Salinas River. The petitioner notes that the proposed Paso
Robles Westside viticultural area boundary coincides with changes in
topography within the larger Paso Robles viticultural area. The portion
of the Paso Robles viticultural area east of the Salinas River has
flatter terrain and warmer temperatures, with the Cholame Hills
creating a natural eastern boundary for the existing area. In contrast,
the petitioner notes that the proposed Paso Robles Westside
viticultural area is nestled in the hillier terrain located between the
Salinas River and the Santa Lucia Range, which forms the existing and
proposed areas' western boundaries.
Distinguishing Features
The distinguishing features of the proposed Paso Robles Westside
viticultural area, according to the petition, include its topography,
climate, and soils. Using the Salinas River as the dividing line, the
petition compares and contrasts the viticultural differences between
the east and west sides of the existing Paso Robles viticultural area.
Topography
According to the provided USGS maps, elevations within the proposed
Paso Robles Westside viticultural area range from a low of 591 feet at
its northeast corner along the Salinas River to a high of 2,300 feet on
along its western boundary line, west-southwest of the city of Paso
Robles. While similar elevations are found in the portion of the Paso
Robles viticultural area east of the Salinas River, the petitioner
contends that the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural area is
more rugged than regions east of the river.
A report included with the petition prepared by Dr. Thomas J. Rice,
a certified soil scientist, supports the petitioner's position that the
topography of the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural area is
more rugged than the portion of the existing Paso Robles viticultural
area east of the Salinas River. The report concludes that while the
great majority of the terrain found in the proposed Paso Robles
Westside viticultural area is made up of hills and mountains, the
portion of the existing
[[Page 3090]]
Paso Robles viticultural area east of the Salinas River is less hilly,
with nearly 30 percent of its land consisting of flatter terraces and
plains. Even when compared to the existing Paso Robles viticultural
area as a whole, the report notes that the proposed Paso Robles
Westside area has more hills and mountains and fewer terraces and
plains. The report summarized these topographical differences in the
table shown below.
Percentage of Terrain Types
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Proposed Paso
Paso Robles Robles Paso Robles
Terrain type viticultural Westside area east of
area viticultural Salinas River
area
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Hills & Mountains............................................... 64.8 85.0 56.2
Terraces........................................................ 16.3 9.6 19.2
Alluvial plains and fans, and flood plains...................... 7.4 5.3 8.3
Unidentified.................................................... 11.5 0.1 16.3
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Totals...................................................... 100.0 100.0 100.0
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In addition, the October 2005 Wine Enthusiast magazine article,
``The West Side Story,'' depicts the geography of the Paso Robles
viticultural area west of the Salinas River as a region of remote
hills, valleys, and benchlands that contrasts with the ``flat as a
billiard table'' terrain found east of the river. Neil Collins of
Tablas Creek Winery also describes the western Paso Robles viticultural
area as a region of rugged topography and meager soils that supports
low vineyard yields, which contrasts with the higher-yield vineyards
located on the flatter terrain of the Paso Robles viticultural area's
eastern region.
Climate
The petitioner states that the Salinas River marks a distinctive
climatic dividing line within the established Paso Robles viticultural
area, separating the area's west side from its east side. Primary
influences on the weather in California, according to the petitioner,
include the Pacific Ocean and the State's mountain ranges. The west
side of the existing Paso Robles viticultural area, which is concurrent
with the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural area, lies on the
eastern side of the Santa Lucia Mountains, which slope downward to the
Salinas River. The Pacific Ocean's marine influence permeates the Santa
Lucia Mountains, bringing more moisture to the west side of the Paso
Robles viticultural area, according to the petition. In contrast, the
petition states, the region east of the Salinas River, with its
generally lower elevation and flatter terrain, receives much less
marine influence and is drier than the region west of the river.
As evidence of this climatic difference, the petitioner provided
comparative rainfall data from the Western Regional Climate Center
(WRCC) for both the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural area and
the east side of the Paso Robles viticultural area. The town of
Templeton served as the Westside data collection point, while the Paso
Robles Airport served as the east side data collection point. The table
below summarizes the rainfall data.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total rainfall
inches 1970-
1997
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural area......... 746.67
East side of Paso Robles................................ 406.78
Variance between Westside and east side................. 339.89
Percentage difference................................... 46
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The petition also included a June 30, 1994, Chicago Tribune
article, entitled ``California's Paso Robles Has the Climate and the
Potential to Produce Fine Red Wines,'' which stated that the Paso
Robles wine region west of the Salinas River enjoys a moderately warm
growing zone with 25 to 35 inches of annual rainfall. The article also
noted that the Paso Robles wine region east of the river is hotter and
drier, with as little as 10 inches of rain a year, necessitating
irrigation. Informational material from the Cinnabar Vineyards and
Winery included with the petition takes note of the Templeton Gap, a
pass in the Coast Range that draws the cooling Pacific marine layer
inland, lowering afternoon temperatures in the western region of the
Paso Robles area.
Soils
In his report on the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural
area, Dr. Rice describes and compares the soils within the existing
Paso Robles viticultural area to the east and to the west of the
Salinas River. Soils within the Paso Robles viticultural area vary
regionally and within short distances, according to Dr. Rice. Soil
differences reflect varying geology (parent material), macroclimatic
conditions (slope aspect and elevation), landform position (slope
steepness and shape), cropping history, and past natural vegetation.
Vineyard soils within the proposed Paso Robles Westside
viticultural area, according to Dr. Rice, developed primarily from
sedimentary rock parent materials of the Miocene-age Monterey
Formation, rich in carbonate and silica. The carbonate-rich rocks
display high calcium levels, relatively low potassium and magnesium
levels, and subsoil alkaline pH levels between 7.5 and 8.2. The silica-
rich rocks display medium calcium levels, relatively low potassium and
magnesium levels, and subsoil acid to neutral pH levels between 6.0 and
7.0. Most native soils, Dr. Rice continues, include low levels of
nitrogen and phosphorus. Also, loam, clay loam, silty clay loam, and
clay soil textures predominate with varying amounts of coarse rock
fragments.
Soils on the east side of the Paso Robles viticultural area vary in
parent materials, according to Dr. Rice. Adjacent to the major creek
and river systems, Dr. Rice continues, the soils are mainly derived
from weathered alluvial sediments of the Pleistocene-age Paso Robles
Formation, along with more recent alluvial deposits. Also, the soils
include highly variable textures with depth, consisting of stratified
layers of clay, gravel, and sand. Soils from the Paso Robles Formation,
Dr. Rice explains, have medium to low levels of calcium, low potassium
and magnesium levels, and acid to neutral pH levels of 6.0 to 7.0 in
subsoils.
Dr. Rice concludes that more than 75 percent of the acreage within
the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural area has comparable soil
physiology, while the land east of the Salinas River has more diverse
soils
[[Page 3091]]
with no single dominant soil physiology.
Boundary Description
See the narrative boundary description of the petitioned-for
viticultural area in the proposed regulatory text published at the end
of this notice.
Maps
The petitioner provided the required maps, and we list them below
in the proposed regulatory text.
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. If we establish this proposed viticultural area, its
name, ``Paso Robles Westside,'' will be recognized under 27 CFR
4.39(i)(3) as a name of viticultural significance. The text of the
proposed regulation would clarify this point. Consequently, wine
bottlers using ``Paso Robles Westside'' 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's
name as an appellation of origin.
The name ``Paso Robles'' standing alone will continue as a term of
viticultural significance for the entire, existing Paso Robles
viticultural area. If the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural
area is established, that action will have no effect on approved ``Paso
Robles'' wine labels. TTB also notes that since the proposed Paso
Robles Westside viticultural area is entirely within the existing Paso
Robles viticultural area, any wine eligible to use ``Paso Robles
Westside'' as an appellation of origin is also eligible to use the
``Paso Robles'' name standing alone.
For a wine to be labeled with a viticultural area name or with a
brand name that includes a viticultural area name or other term
identified as 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 term,
and the wine must meet the other conditions listed in 27 CFR
4.25(e)(3). If the wine is not eligible for labeling with the
viticultural area name or other viticulturally significant term and
that name or other 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. Accordingly, if a new label or a previously
approved label uses the name ``Paso Robles Westside'' for a wine that
does not meet the 85 percent standard, the new label will not be
approved, and the previously approved label will be subject to
revocation, upon the effective date of the approval of the Paso Robles
Westside viticultural area.
Different rules apply if a wine has a brand name containing a
viticultural area name or other viticulturally significant term that
was used as a brand name on a label approved before July 7, 1986. See
27 CFR 4.39(i)(2) for details.
Conforming Amendment to 27 CFR 9.84, Paso Robles
As a legal matter, TTB has recognized ``Paso Robles'' as a term of
viticultural significance since the establishment of the Paso Robles
viticultural area in 1983. However, the regulatory text in 27 CFR 9.84
does not explicitly state that Paso Robles is a term of viticultural
significance. Since we are proposing to identify ``Paso Robles
Westside'' as a term of viticultural significance in paragraph (a) of
the proposed regulatory text, we believe for purposes of clarity that
it would be advisable to add a sentence to paragraph (a) of Sec. 9.84
to state that ``Paso Robles'' is a term of viticultural significance in
terms of that section. We also propose to include a cross reference to
the viticultural significance of ``Paso Robles'' as set forth in Sec.
9.84(a) in the ``Paso Robles Westside'' regulatory text.
Public Participation
Comments Invited
We invite comments from interested members of the public on whether
we should establish the proposed Paso Robles Westside viticultural
area. We are also interested in receiving comments on the sufficiency
and accuracy of the name, boundary, climatic, and other required
information submitted in support of the petition. Please provide any
available specific information in support of your comments. We are
especially interested in comments about the establishment of one
viticultural area totally within another viticultural area, when both
have ``Paso Robles'' in the name.
Submitting Comments
Please submit your comments by the closing date shown above in this
notice. Your comments must include this notice number and your name and
mailing address. Your comments must be legible and written in language
acceptable for public disclosure. We do not acknowledge receipt of
comments, and we consider all comments as originals. You may submit
comments in one of five ways:
Mail: You may send written comments to TTB at the address
listed in the ADDRESSES section.
Facsimile: You may submit comments by facsimile
transmission to 202-927-8525. Faxed comments must--
(1) Be on 8.5- by 11-inch paper;
(2) Contain a legible, written signature; and
(3) Be no more than five pages long. This limitation assures
electronic access to our equipment. We will not accept faxed comments
that exceed five pages.
E-mail: You may e-mail comments to nprm@ttb.gov. Comments
transmitted by electronic mail must--
(1) Contain your e-mail address;
(2) Reference this notice number on the subject line; and
(3) Be legible when printed on 8.5- by 11-inch paper.
Online form: We provide a comment form with the online
copy of this notice on our Web site at http://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine_rulemaking.shtml.
Select the ``Send comments via e-mail'' link under
this notice number.
Federal e-rulemaking portal: To submit comments to us via
the Federal e-rulemaking portal, visit http://www.regulations.gov and
follow the instructions for submitting comments.
You may also write to the Administrator before the comment closing
date to ask for a public hearing. The Administrator reserves the right
to determine whether to hold a public hearing.
Confidentiality
All submitted material is part of the public record and subject to
disclosure. Do not enclose any material in your comments that you
consider confidential or inappropriate for public disclosure.
Public Disclosure
You may view copies of this notice, the petition, the appropriate
maps, and any comments we receive by appointment at the TTB Information
Resource Center at 1310 G Street, NW., Washington, DC 20220. You may
also obtain copies at 20 cents per 8.5- by 11-inch page. Contact our
information specialist at the above address or by telephone at 202-927-
2400 to schedule an appointment or to request copies of comments.
We will post this notice and any comments we receive on this
proposal
[[Page 3092]]
on the TTB Web site. All name and address information submitted with
comments will be posted, including e-mail addresses. We may omit
voluminous attachments or material that we consider unsuitable for
posting. In all cases, the full comment will be available in the TTB
Information Resource Center. To access the online copy of this notice
and the submitted comments, visit at http://www.ttb.gov/wine/wine_rulemaking.shtml.
Select the ``View Comments'' link under this notice
number to view the posted comments.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
We certify that this proposed regulation, if adopted, would not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. The proposed regulation imposes no new reporting,
recordkeeping, or other administrative requirement. Any benefit derived
from the use of a viticultural area name would be 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 proposed 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
notice.
List of Subjects in 27 CFR Part 9
Wine.
Proposed Regulatory Amendment
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, we propose to amend 27
CFR, chapter 1, part 9, as follows:
PART 9--AMERICAN VITICULTURAL AREAS
1. The authority citation for part 9 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 27 U.S.C. 205.
Subpart C--Approved American Viticultural Areas
Sec. 9.84 [Amended]
2. Section 9.84 is amended by adding a sentence at the end of
paragraph (a) to read as follows:
(a) Name. * * * For purposes of part 4 of this chapter, ``Paso
Robles'' is a term of viticultural significance.
* * * * *
3. Subpart C is amended by adding a new Sec. 9.---- to read as
follows:
Sec. 9.-- Paso Robles Westside.
(a) Name. The name of the viticultural area described in this
section is ``Paso Robles Westside''. For purposes of part 4 of this
chapter, ``Paso Robles Westside'' is a term of viticultural
significance. ``Paso Robles'' is also a term of viticultural
significance under Sec. 9.84(a).
(b) Approved maps. The 12 United Stages Geological Survey (USGS)
1:24,000 scale topographic maps used to determine the boundary of the
Paso Robles Westside viticultural area are titled:
(1) San Miguel, Calif., 1948, photorevised 1979;
(2) Paso Robles, Calif., 1948, photorevised 1979;
(3) Templeton, Calif., 1948, photorevised 1979;
(4) Atascadero, Calif., 1965;
(5) Santa Margarita, Calif., 1965, revised 1993;
(6) Lopez Mountain, Calif., 1965, revised 1995;
(7) San Luis Obispo, Calif., 1965, photorevised 1979;
(8) York Mountain, Calif., 1948, photorevised 1979;
(9) Cypress Mountain, Calif., 1948, photorevised 1979;
(10) Lime Mountain, Calif., 1948, photorevised 1979;
(11) Tierra Redonda Mountain, Calif., 1948, photorevised 1979; and
(12) Bradley, Calif., 1949, photorevised 1979.
(c) Boundary. The Paso Robles Westside viticultural area is located
in San Luis Obispo County, California. The boundary of the Paso Robles
Westside viticultural area is as described below:
(1) The beginning point is on the San Miguel map at the
intersection of the Monterey-San Luis Obispo County line and the
Salinas River, along the northern boundary of section 6, T25S/R12E;
(2) From the beginning point, proceed southerly (upstream) along
the western-most bank of the meandering Salinas River, crossing in
succession onto the Paso Robles, Templeton, Atascadero, Santa
Margarita, and the Lopez Mountain maps, to river's intersection with
the R13E/R14E range line, along the eastern boundary of section 36,
T29S/R13E; then
(3) Proceed south 0.67 mile along the R13E/R14E range line to its
intersection with the T29S/T30S township line at the southeast corner
of section 36, T29S/R13E, on the Lopez Mountain map; then
(4) Proceed west 6 miles along the T29S/T30S township line,
crossing onto the San Luis Obispo map, to the line's intersection with
the R12E/R13E range line at the southwest corner of section 31, T29S/
R13E; then
(5) Proceed north-northwest in a straight line approximately 13
miles, crossing onto the Atascadero and then the Templeton map, to the
line's intersection with the southern-most corner of the (Rancho) Paso
de Robles boundary line, located near the intersection of an unnamed
intermittent stream and the 1,200-foot contour line, T27S/R11E,
approximately 2.1 miles southwest of the intersection of Paso Robles
Creek and U.S. 101; then
(6) Proceed west-northwest for approximately 4.8 miles along the
southwestern boundary line of the (Rancho) Paso de Robles, crossing
onto the York Mountain map, to the boundary line's intersection with
the southeast corner of section 32, T27S/R11E; then
(7) Proceed northerly along the eastern boundary lines of sections
32, 29, 20, and 18, T27S/R11E, to the northeast corner of section 18,
T27S/R11E, York Mountain map; then
(8) Proceed west along the northern boundary of section 18, T27S/
R11E, for approximately 0.8 mile to the boundary line's intersection
with Dover Canyon Road, York Mountain map; then
(9) Proceed westerly along Dover Canyon Road to its intersection
with a jeep trail and an unnamed intermittent stream at the mouth of
Dover Canyon, section 14, T27S/R10E, York Mountain map; then
(10) Proceed west-northwest in a straight line for approximately
5.5 miles, crossing onto the Cypress Mountain map, to the line's
intersection with the junction of the T26/27S and R9E/R10E township and
range lines (also the southwest corner of section 31, T26S/R10E); then
(11) Proceed north for approximately 12 miles along the R9E/R10E
line, crossing over Las Tablas Creek and the Nacimiento Reservoir on
the Lime Mountain map, and continue along onto the R9E/R10E line on the
Tierra Redonda Mountain map to the line's intersection with the
Monterey-San Luis Obispo County line at the northwest corner of section
6; T24S/T25S; then
(12) Proceed east for approximately 12.3 miles along the Monterey-
San Luis Obispo County line, crossing over the Bradley map, and return
to the beginning point on the San Miguel map.
Dated: December 5, 2006.
John J. Manfreda,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E7-983 Filed 1-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-P