Sierra Foothills AVA

Infobox Wine Region
name = Sierra Foothills AVA

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caption = Vineyards near Vallecito, California, USA
official name =
other name =
type = American Viticultural Area
year = 1987
wine years =
country = USA
part of = California
similar =
sub regions = California Shenandoah Valley AVA, El Dorado AVA, Fair Play AVA, Fiddletown AVA, North Yuba AVA
season =
climate region =
heat units =
precipitation =
soil =
total size = convert|2600000|acre|km2|0Wine Institute, The. (2007). [http://www.wineinstitute.org/industry/consumer/appellations_other.php "The Appellations Of California Wine: Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, Delta, and Sierra Foothills"] . Retrieved Oct. 3, 2007.]
planted = convert|5700|acre|km2|1
vineyards =
grapes = Zinfandel (convert|2300|acre|km2|0), Cabernet Sauvignon (convert|600|acre|km2|0), Syrah (convert|560|acre|km2|0), Chardonnay (convert|289|acre|km2|0), Merlot (convert|287|acre|km2|0), Barbera (convert|239|acre|km2|0)
varietals =
wineries =
wine produced =
designation =
comments = The Sierra Foothills AVA (established in 1987) is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the state of California in the United States. Wine grapes were introduced to the area in the nineteenth century during the California Gold Rush. Over 100 wineries are located within the boundaries of the AVA.

Geography and climate

The Sierra Foothills AVA contains portions of eight California counties: Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Tuolumne and Yuba. The total area of the appellation is convert|2600000|acre|km2|0, one of the largest AVAs in the state of California.

History

Wine grapes were first planted in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains during the California Gold Rush of the late 1840s and early 1850s. Federal recognition of the AVA occurred on November 18, 1987.Code of Federal Regulations. [http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=0ae5182742745a3f28ef2abfa64ccb02&rgn=div8&view=text&node=27:1.0.1.1.7.3.41.100&idno=27 "§ 9.120 Sierra Foothills."] Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved Oct. 3, 2007.]

Vineyards

convert|5700|acre|km2|1 of the appellation are planted to grapevines. The most common grape variety is Zinfandel, which accounts for convert|2300|acre|km2|0. Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on convert|600|acre|km2|0, and Syrah is planted to convert|560|acre|km2|0. The most common white grape variety is Chardonnay, planted to convert|289|acre|km2|0. Other grape varieties are grown in smaller quantities. Vineyards are generally planted in locations between convert|1500|ft|m|0 and convert|3000|ft|m|0 above sea level.

There are over 100 wineries located within the Sierra Foothills AVA. Many are small, boutique wineries, often family-owned.

See also

*California wine

References