Guenoc Valley AVA

Guenoc Valley AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1981[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofLake County
Other regions in Lake CountyBig Valley District-Lake County AVA, Clear Lake AVA, High Valley AVA, Kelsey Bench-Lake County AVA, Red Hills Lake County AVA, Upper Lake Valley AVA[2][3]
Climate regionIII
Size of planted vineyards340 acres (140 ha)[4]
Grapes producedCabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon blanc[4]

Guenoc Valley is an American Viticultural Area in Lake County, California, United States, about 15 mi (24 km) north of the town of Calistoga. Guenoc Valley AVA was the first American Viticultural Area designation granted to an area with just a single winery.[5]

Guenoc Valley is a small inland valley comprising an alluvial fan of Arroyo Seco and Conejo Loam series soils isolated from surrounding areas by rocky ridges. Its geographical location also affects the climate. Guenoc Valley has slightly less rainfall than the nearby Middletown area. Guenoc Valley receives approximately 45 inches (114 cm) to 50 inches (127 cm) of rain per year, while Middletown receives approximately 60 in (152 cm) per year. Guenoc Valley also experiences slightly greater seasonal temperature extremes, being warmer in the summer and colder in the winter. Also, due to the surrounding ridges, fog is generally less severe than in Middletown. For these reasons, the United States Department of the Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau determined that Guenoc Valley possesses geographical features which distinguish the area viticulturally.

  1. ^ "§ 9.26 Guenoc Valley" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved January 21, 2008.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "Lake County Appellations". Lake County Winegrape Growers. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  3. ^ "Proposed Establishment of the Big Valley District-Lake County and Kelsey Bench-Lake County Viticultural Areas, and Modification of the Red Hills Lake County Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9, 78 FR 20544). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. June 4, 2013. pp. 20544–20557. Retrieved May 9, 2020.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ a b "Guenoc Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2008.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Langtry_Estate was invoked but never defined (see the help page).