Santa Maria Valley AVA

Infobox Wine Region
name = Santa Maria Valley AVA


caption =
official name =
other name =
type = American Viticultural Area
year = 1981, amended 1985 [http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr;sid=bff700d0bbb2a632948b70fe7e91d7d4;rgn=div5;view=text;node=27%3A1.0.1.1.7;idno=27;cc=ecfr#27:1.0.1.1.7.3.41.8 Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.28 Santa Maria Valley."] Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved June 26, 2008.]
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country = USA
part of = California, Central Coast AVA
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season =
climate region = Region I
heat units =
precipitation =
soil =
total size = convert|80000|acre|ha|-3Fact|date=June 2008
planted = convert|7500|acre|ha|-3Appellation America (2008). [http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Santa-Maria-Valley.html "Santa Maria Valley (AVA): Appellation Description"] . Retrieved June 26, 2008.]
vineyards =
grapes = Aligote, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mondeuse, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Silvaner, Syrah, Tocai Friulano, Viognier, Zinfandel
varietals =
wineries =
wine produced =
designation =
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Santa Maria Valley is an American Viticultural Area located in Northern Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County, California USA.

History

This appellation is the oldest in this portion of California. [cite web|url=http://www.biennacidovineyards.com/Default.asp?Page=59|title=A History of Bien Nacido|accessdate = 2007-04-16] . Grape growing in this region dates back to the Mexican Colonial period of the 1830s [cite web|url=http://www.wineinstitute.org/industry/ava/reference/fr/htm/santa_maria_final.htm|title=Santa Maria Valley Viticultural Area Final Rule|accessdate = 2007-04-16] . In the late 1960 commercial vineyards were planted to supply wineries around the state. Since vineyards in the valley have come to encompass convert|7500|acre|ha|-3.

Geography

The Santa Maria Valley is a natural funnel-shaped valley opening west to the Pacific Ocean. The elevation of the area ranges from approximately convert|200|ft|m|-1 at the intersection of Highway 101 and Santa Maria River to approximately convert|3200|ft|m|-1 at Tepusquet Peak. The grapes that are grown within the area are on the valley floor at an approximate elevation of convert|300|ft|m|-1 and on the slopes and rolling hillsides up to an elevation of convert|800|ft|m|-1. The soils within the area range in texture from a sandy loam to clay loam and are free from adverse salts. [cite web|url=http://www.wineinstitute.org/industry/ava/reference/fr/htm/santa_maria_final.htm|title=Santa Maria Valley Viticultural Area Final Rule|accessdate = 2007-04-16] .

Climate

Since the valley opens to the ocean, there is no opposition to the sea fog that moves in at midday and engulfs lower lying vineyards. This creates a cool growing environment that is a Region I on the Winkler Scale [cite web|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/santa-maria-valley-ava|title=Santa Maria Valley AVA|accessdate = 2007-04-16] . The valley features a long growing season and very little rainfall, meaning grapes have an extensive time to build flavor on the vine [cite web|url=http://winegeeks.com/appellations/79/santa_maria_valley/|title=Santa Maria Valley (AVA)|accessdate = 2007-04-16] .

Vineyards

The Santa Maria Valley AVA is home to many well-regarded vineyards, including Addamo, Rancho Sisquoc, Au Bon Climat, Lucas & Lewellen, Io, Foxen, Cottonwood Canyon, Costa De Oro, Byron, Cambria.Fact|date=June 2008

Varietals

Owing the cool growing climate, the valley is best known for its Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc.Fact|date=June 2008

References

External links

* [http://www.santamariawines.com Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce ]
* [http://www.sbcountywines.com Santa Barbara County Vinters' Association]