It was established on December 7, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. David B. Ficklin.
President of Ficklin Vineyards, proposing a viticultural area between the Chowchilla and San Joaquin Rivers named "Madera."
The first vineyards were planted in the 1870s by Judge S.A. Holmes in the town of Madera and the Italian Swiss Colony winery was built in 1870 to process the wine grapes.
[citation needed] In the 1930s, after the Repeal of Prohibition, the Severini and Del Bono families operated wineries south of the town of Madera for many years.
In 1946, Ficklin Vineyards was established making the first commercial plantings of selected Portuguese varieties for the production of premium dessert wine.
[citation needed] In the 1980s, three new wineries were established by Angelo Papagni, Paui Masson and Andrew Quady producing millions of gallons or premium vintages bearing the MADERA label.
The growing season in the Madera viticultural area averages between 260-270 days, with periodic freezing temperatures during the winter which trigger vine dormancy.
[citation needed] Due to the characteristics hot and dry climate of this area, grape growers rely solely on irrigation water from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east.
Because of the climate, and the availability of irrigation water, grape yield per acre in the proposed area is much larger than in the coastal regions of California.
[citation needed] Seven other persons testified during the public hearing that they have grown grapes in the western part of Madera County, some for as long as 25 years.
ATF examined all the evidence presented in written comments, in oral testimony received at the public hearing, and in post-hearing submissions.
The same map also shows substantial areas of intermittent free and saline soils in the western part of the county along the San Joaquin River.
In its place, Mr. Dias suggested use of "San Joaqun River Valley" or other similar American appellation for the viticultural area.