Alta Mesa AVA

Infobox Wine Region
name = Alta Mesa AVA


caption =
official name =
other name =
type = American Viticultural Area
year = 2006 [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#27:1.0.1.1.7.3.41.175 Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.195 Alta Mesa."] Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved Jan. 25, 2008.]
wine years =
country = USA
part of = California, Lodi AVA
similar =
sub regions =
season =
climate region =
heat units =
precipitation =
soil =
total size = convert|55400|acre|km2|0Chandler, David (2007). [http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Alta-Mesa.html "Alta Mesa (AVA)"] . "Appellation America". Retrieved Oct. 4, 2007.]
planted = convert|5300|acre|km2|1
vineyards =
grapes = Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
varietals =
wineries =
wine produced =
designation =
comments = The Alta Mesa AVA is an American Viticultural Area entirely located within the Lodi AVA in Sacramento County, California in the United States. The appellation's name is Spanish for "high table", a reference to the relatively higher elevation of the land compared to the surrounding terrain.

Geography and climate

90% of the soil in the Alta Mesa AVA is dense clay and heavy gravel. The appellation is known for warm summers, and low annual rainfall. Alta Mesa is considered one of the warmest subregions of the Lodi AVA.

History

Federal recognition of the AVA occurred on July 17, 2006.

Vineyards

convert|5300|acre|km2|1 of the appellation are planted to grapevines. The most common grape varieties are Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

Wineries

There are no wineries currently located in this AVA that produce wine. Wineries located outside of the appellation may produce wines created from grapes grown in Alta Mesa AVA vineyards and label their wines as such. Wineries that use grapes from the Alta Mesa AVA include:

* Barreto Cellars
* Twisted Oak Winery

See also

*California wine

References