Arroyo Seco AVA

For other places with similar names, see Arroyo Seco.

Arroyo Seco
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1983[1]
2006 Amended[2]
2019 Amended[3]
2021 Amended[4]
Years of wine industry62[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County, Monterey AVA
Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County, Monterey AVAHames Valley AVA, San Bernabe AVA, San Lucas AVA, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Growing season245 days[5]
Climate regionRegion II-III[5]
Heat units1875-2250 GDD[5]
Precipitation (annual average)9.5 in (240 mm)[5]
Soil conditionsMocho, Lockwood, Arroyo Seco, Rincon, Elder and Chular series. Coarse sandy loams
Total area1983: 18,240.0 acres (28.5 sq mi)[1]
2006: 18,040 acres (28 sq mi)[2]
2019: 18,130 acres (28 sq mi)[3]
2021: 17,982 acres (28 sq mi)[4]
Size of planted vineyards1983: 8,500 acres (3,440 ha)[5]
2024: 7,000 acres (2,833 ha)[6]
No. of vineyards32[6]
Grapes producedCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli, Orange Muscat, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo/Valdepenas, Vermentino, Viognier, Zinfandel[7]
No. of wineries1983: 2[1]
2024: 10[7]

Arroyo Seco is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Monterey County, California, southeast of Monterey Bay. The state's 15th appellation was established on May 16,1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Arroyo Seco Winegrowers and Vintners, an association composed of grape growers and vintners with vineyards, to establish a viticultural area within Monterey County known as "Arroyo Seco."[1][8][9]

Arroyo Seco is a triangular shaped area adjacent to the Arroyo Seco Creek which flows into the Salinas River near Soledad. The appellation encompassed 28.5 square miles (18,240.0 acres) in the Salinas Valley with about 8,500 acres (3,440 ha) of cultivation and two bonded wineries. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean produces the maritime climate, and is best suited for those cool climate grape varieties.[8]

In 2019, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury expanded Arroyo Seco by 90 acres (36 ha), however in 2021, TTB ruled on a modification of the shared boundary between Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco AVAs. The boundary modification transferred 148 acres (60 ha) of foothills terrain from the west side of the Arroyo Seco to the southeastern area of the Santa Lucia Highlands. One vineyard containing approximately 135 acres (55 ha) was affected by the realignment, and the vineyard owner included a letter of support in the petition. The modification reduced Arroyo Seco AVA by less than 1 percent and did not affect the boundaries of the Monterey or the Central Coast AVAs.[4]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Arroyo Seco Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [T.O. ATF-131; Reference Notice No. 431] Final Rule). Federal Register. 48 (74). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 16842–16847. April 15, 1983.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b "Realignment of the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco Viticultural Areas (2003R–083P)" (27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. TTB–49; Re: Notices No. 29 and 35] RIN 1513–AA72 Final Rule). Federal Register. 71 (115). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury: 34525–34527. June 15, 2006.
  3. ^ a b "T.D. TTB-153: Expansion of the Arroyo Seco Viticultural Area" (§ 9.59 Arroyo Seco, Rules and Regulations). Federal Register. 83 (240). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury: 64274-64276. December 14, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "Modification of the Boundaries of the Santa Lucia Highlands and Arroyo Seco Viticultural Areas" (27 CFR Part 9 [Docket No. TTB–2020–0007; T.D. TTB–172; Ref: Notice No. 192] RIN 1513–AC55). Federal Register. 86 (162). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury: 47377–47380. August 25, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 17, 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Arroyo Seco Viticultural Area; Proposed Establishment" (27 CFR Part 9 [Notice No.431] Proposed Rules). Federal Register. 47 (213). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 49860–49863. November 3, 1982.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ a b "Monterey Wine Country" (AVAS). Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Arroyo Seco (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on May 10, 2009.
  8. ^ a b "Petition for Establishment of Arroyo Seco American Viticultural Area". TTB.gov. Arroyo Seco Winegrowers and Vintners. November 1, 1981.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  9. ^ "The Arroyo Seco AVA Celebrates 40 Years of Viticulture History and Innovation" (Press Release). Wine Industry Advisor. Greenfield, CA. June 12, 2023.