Establishment of the Willcox Viticultural Area 
alcohol wine American viticultural areas viticultural areas Arizona Cochise County Graham County Willcox
2016-02-29 2016-02-18
TTB-2016-0002-0005 TTB-2016-0002-0004
05:00:00 05:00:00
https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/TTB-2016-0002-0005 https://api.regulations.gov/v4/comments/TTB-2016-0002-0004
Clay Narita
Riggs Siegel
I am writing in opposition to the establishment of an American Viticulture Area in the foothills of the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona. An AVA is not in the benefit of the rural community in this area.The Chiricahua foothills have historically been cattle ranches, and the community wants to see it stay that way. Established agriculturalists in the area are not in favor of the current vineyards, and a designation for an AVA makes the area more desirable for other vineyards to establish.The Chiricahua Foothills area is desirable for vineyards because we still have unregulated ground water. Vintners come here for the resources but dont participate in the local community. This is not a new NAPA. Current vineyard owners are trying to grab surface water rights that were allocated in the 1800s, and are being met with great resistance.Vintners disregard local agriculture as well. They are opposed to historical range management practices local ranches have used for generations. This limits the tools ranchers can utilize to sustain the ecosystem. Vineyards fragment the open space that ranches provide, disrupt the watershed and block wildlife patterns. Ranchers work with the local Natural Resource Conservation Districts, the Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency to prevent these things. Establishment of vineyards within the community counteracts these efforts. In addition to the ecological concerns, established vineyards in the Chiricahua Foothills bring economic concerns with them as well. These vineyard owners are retirees from high paying jobs. Their deep pockets allow them to subsidize their hobby vineyards, most of which are not sustainable economically. They therefore do not benefit the community economically.Well paid, technically trained employees are imported. Non-technical work is done by seasonal workers who are not from the immediate area either. Local contractors who have been employed by these vineyards in the past are wary of working for vineyard owners, due to unpaid bills.While wine tastings bring tourists, vineyards have tasting rooms in towns like Bisbee and Willcox, but do not bring money into the rural area where grapes are actually grown. In summary: I am strongly opposed to the establishment of an American Viticulture Area in the Chiricahua Foothills area. We are unhappy with the current vineyards and the ecological and economic hassles they bring with them. They are not a benefit to the rural community, and I do not support any decision that would make this area more appealing to other grape growers. As a resident in the proposed AVA region for over 15 years, I fully support the formation of the Willcox AVA. It is exciting to see the growth of the wine industry; vineyards; tasting rooms;  in the area and the official recognition of Willcox will be a great boon to this region.  It will provide much needed jobs for our citizens and a over all boost to our economy in this state.  This has been long over due and I am glad to see it come in our region.  As a widow and senior citizen it is vital to our economy to  generate revenue for our county and state.  Water and soil are unique; as are the climate.  These things contribute to wines that are truly different from those made anywhere else.