Paso Robles divides to conquer

The Californian wine region of Paso Robles has been granted permission to set up 11 new distinct appellations within its borders.

The wine region of Paso Robles lies within San Luis Obispo County, California (Photo, Wiki)

The ruling was passed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) – a subsidiary of the US Treasury – in Washington DC on Thursday (October 9) to create the 11 appellations.

The 59 members of the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area Committee, a trade body of the area’s winemakers, petitioned for the change in 2007, but it wasn’t until September 2013 that federal regulators issued the proposal to the TTB.

In a press statement, the TTB is said that the new regulation is “in response to a petition from an association of local vintners and grape growers.

“TTB designates viticultural areas to allow vintners to better describe the origin of their wines and to allow consumers to better identify wines they may purchase.”

Stacie Jacobs, chief executive officer of Visit San Luis Obispo County, told the San Luis Obispo Tribune that all districts will remain a part of the larger Paso Robles American Viticultural Area, but winemakers will now be able to label their wines with these more specific areas, which will help promote tourism in the wine region.

“The new 11 AVAs give wine tourists an even greater knowledge base and interest in further exploring the wines of Paso Robles,” she told the paper.

“The master AVA plan validates the region by defining its diversity and showcases the maturity of the Paso Robles wine region.”

The ruling will be effective on November 10, 2014, creating the appellations of Adelaida District, Creston District, El Pomar District, Paso Robles Estrella District, Paso Robles Geneseo District, Paso Robles Highlands District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District, San Juan Creek, San Miguel District, Santa Margarita Ranch and Templeton Gap District.