Ben Lomond

Ben Lomond Mountain AVA

Located on the western edge of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Ben Lomond Mountain has a long yet intermittent history of viticulture. First planted in the 1860s, the area became dormant for years before being resurrected in the 1970s, with its resurgence primarily due to Pinot Noir made by McHenry Vineyard and Felton Empire. Since then the region has been hit by issues such as Pierce’s disease. The four by sixteen-mile viticultural area reaches elevations up to 2,600 feet and generally sits above the fog, soaking in summer sunshine. The elevation and ocean proximity ensure a cool climate, where grapes can ripen over an extended growing season.