Pacheco Pass

The Pacheco Pass AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in the Santa Clara and San Benito counties of California. It is part of the larger San Francisco Bay AVA. The pass is a 15 miles (24 km) long corridor between the San Francisco Bay area to the west and the San Joaquin Valley to the east. State Route 152 passes through the center of the wine region. Pacheco Pass was granted AVA status in 1984 following a petition by the Zanger family, who continue to operate the only commercial winery in the appellation, Zanger Vineyards.