| Wine region | |
 Santa Maria Valley vineyards | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1981[1] |
| Years of wine industry | 195[2] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County |
| Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County | Alisos Canyon AVA, Ballard Canyon AVA, Happy Canyon AVA, Los Olivos District AVA, Santa Ynez Valley AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA |
| Climate region | Region I, II[3] |
| Total area | 97,483 acres (152.317 sq mi) 2010 exp: 116,273 acres (181.677 sq mi)[4] |
| Size of planted vineyards | 7,500 acres (3,000 ha)[5] 2010 exp: 7,755 acres (3,138 ha)[4] |
| Grapes produced | 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[5] |
Santa Maria Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which straddles the boundary of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties in California's multi-county Central Coast AVA. It was established on August 5, 1981, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as California's second oldest AVA.[1][6] A portion of the AVA crosses the Cuyama River into the southernmost corner of San Luis Obispo County. The east-west orientation of the 152.3 square miles (97,483 acres) with a wide, open valley and rolling hills means cool winds and fog flow in freely from the Pacific Ocean, settling most noticeably in lower-lying areas. The result is a mild Mediterranean climate that lengthens the growing season and contributes to the eventual sugar/acid balance in the grapes from Santa Maria Valley's 7,500 acres (3,000 ha) cultivated vineyards.[7] On January 28, 2011, the AVA was granted a 29.4 square miles (18,790 acres) expansion to its southern boundary.[4]
- ^ a b "Santa Maria Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. ATF-89; Ref: Notice No. 360]). Federal Register. 46 (150). Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 39811–39812. August 5, 1981.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills Estate Wines". The Thornhill Companies. 2021.
- ^ Swan, Fred (January 23, 2017). "What Everyone Should Know about the Santa Maria Valley AVA". NorCalWine.com.
- ^ a b c "Expansion of the Santa Maria Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 75 FR 81846 Final Rule, Docket No. TTB-2010-0001 [T.D. TTB-88 Re: Notice No. 103, Doc#: 2010-32873]). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB): 81846–81849. December 29, 2010. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b "Santa Maria Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2008.
- ^ "Wine Growing Areas of Santa Barbara County". Santa Barbara Vintners Association. 2020.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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