(Wines&Vines) - Mendocino County’s lesser known home for Pinot Noir and other grapes is now part of a new American Viticultural Area.

Jake Fetzer, winemaker at Masut Vineyard and Winery, announced that the TTB has approved the new Eagle Peak AVA. Masut is the only winery in the new AVA, which encompasses nearly 21,000 acres of mountains and valleys about 10 miles north of Ukiah, Calif. The name comes from the tallest mountain in the coast range running along the western boundary of the new AVA.

Masut may be the only winery, but the new AVA is home to four other growers—Golden Vineyards, Linholme Vineyards, Sea Biscuit South Vineyards and Turan Vineyards—for a total of 115 planted acres. Julie and Joe Golden, who own Golden Vineyards, produce their own wine at custom-crush facilities under the Golden Cellars label.

‘Happy to have it finally done’

Jake Fetzer and his brother Ben Fetzer own Masut winery, which specializes in estate Pinot Noir wines. Masut is located on a 1,500-acre ranch their father Bobby Fetzer purchased in 1992 after the family sold the original Fetzer Vineyards. Fetzer and his sons started planting vineyards on the property in 1997. The new appellation is a continuation of their father’s vision for the property, said Jake Fetzer. “We’re excited. We’re happy to have it finally done.”