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 Company president and chief geographer, Patrick L. Shabram, has over a decade of experience consulting to and performing geographic research in the wine industry, especially in Sonoma County where he has worked extensively in the Russian River Valley , Alexander Valley , and coastal viticulture areas. While Mr. Shabram also has more than a decade of experience as a geographer working in education and retail location analysis, and has authored a book on professional baseball stadiums in California , he is best known for his authoritative work in Sonoma County viticulture, establishing his reputation as an expert within the wine industry. He has consulted to growers, winemakers, lawyers and trade associations, and has been hired to submit several petitions to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau related to the establishment of or modifications to existing American Viticultural Areas.
Following are brief descriptions of two projects conducted in the wine industry:
Russian River Valley Winegrowers Association - The growers of the Russian River Valley wanted to increase the size of their appellation or American Viticultural Area (AVA) to include new areas that had recently started producing grapes. In order to create the original appellation, a petition had to be submitted to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to officially recognize the area as a unique geographical area. Part of the petition included declarations of the uniqueness of the area from surrounding areas, an identification of the borders, and historical and geographical evidence that the boundaries are justified. Hence, to add new land to the AVA required them to partially contradict their original petition by saying areas surrounding the appellation in fact share the same characteristics. Additionally, it had long been suspected by a number of growers that the original boundaries were inaccurate as the area seemed to present diverse climate types.
To resolve both concerns, Patrick Shabram conducted a geographical survey of the area, including a review of topography, microclimates, and soil types. Additionally, Mr. Shabram reviewed articles on the Russian River Valley to establish the characteristics for which the name "Russian River Valley" is most known. Patrick Shabram then prepared a report with recommendations on readjustment to the Russian River Valley AVA. In conclusion, Mr. Shabram proposed the area be expanded to the southeast, reduced in size to the northwest and northeast, and be redefined into as few as two, and as many as five separate viticultural areas, the total of which would be determined by those geographical characteristic the growers of the area most want associated with wines produced from their grapes. This report has since been referenced for at least two petitions to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB - formerly the BATF).
Fort Ross Seaview - In the highlands above the historic Fort Ross exist a number of thriving, yet relatively unknown vineyards. Located above the infamous coastal fog, these vineyards experience a unique, relatively cool growing environment. Unlike many other "cool" viticultural areas, which experience morning and evening coastal fog, these vineyards experience full daytime solar radiation. Despite the unique microclimate, the growers of Fort Ross Seaview did not have a unique viticultural designation outside the much larger Sonoma Coast AVA. All agreed that a petition for a more defined appellation specific to their growing area should be presented to the TTB.
In preparation for petitioning this area as a unique American Viticultural Area, Shabram Consulting conducted a geographical survey of the area, noting topography, microclimatic variations, and soils to qualify local growers assertions that the area is unique from the rest of the Sonoma Coast AVA. A report was prepared outlining the unique characteristics. Additionally, recommendations of boundaries for the proposed AVA where described and presented in a map that was a part of this report. Finally, to expedite the petition process, Patrick Shabram prepared and submitted this petition. A proposed rulemaking has been issued by the TTB, and a final rulemaking is currently pending.
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