Carmel Valley AVA

Carmel Valley
Wine region
Château Julien Wine Estate in Carmel Valley
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1983[1]
Years of wine industry154[2]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County
Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Monterey CountyArroyo Seco AVA, Chalone AVA, Hames Valley AVA, Monterey AVA, San Antonio Valley AVA, San Bernabe AVA, San Lucas AVA, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Gabilan Mountains AVA
Growing season2317-3085 GDD[1]
Climate regionRegion I and III[1]
Precipitation (annual average)16.5 to 22.5 in (419.1 to 571.5 mm)[1]
Soil conditionsSan Andreas Fine Sandy Loam and Arroyo Seco Gravelly Sandy Loam[3]
Total area19,200 acres (30 sq mi)[1]
Size of planted vineyards300 acres (120 ha)[3]
No. of vineyards20[4]
Grapes producedAleatico, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Zinfandel[4]
No. of wineries25[5]

Carmel Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Monterey County, California, southeast of Carmel-by-the-Sea and it is one of the ten AVAs in the county. Approximately 100 miles (161 km) south of San Francisco, the AVA was recognized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury on January 13, 1983 after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. David Armanasco, General Manager of Durney Vineyard, located in Carmel, to propose a viticultural area named “Carmel Valley.”[6]

The appellation is nestled about 5 miles (8 km) inland from the Pacific coast within the towering Santa Lucia Range encompassing over 19,000 acres (30 sq mi) with 300 acres (120 ha) of cultivated grapes on elevations ranging from 203 to 2,762 ft (61.9–841.9 m) above sea level. The AVA is resident to a number of wineries and some vineyards dating back to the 1870s, as well as the town of Carmel Valley Village.[2] Vineyards are predominantly within Carmel Valley and Cacahgua Valley.[7] Bordeaux varietals are popular with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot comprising more than 70% of the grapes grown in the area.[1][3]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Establishment of the Carmel Valley Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. ATF-119; Re: Notice No. 420] Final Rule). Federal Register. 47 (240). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 55915–55916. December 14, 1982. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 6, 2022.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b Barratt, Elizabeth (2010). "Three - The Rancho Era and Early Settlers". Carmel Valley. San Francisco, California: Arcadia Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 9780738571621. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "AVA's (American Viticultural Area)" (Carmel Valley). Monterey Wine Country. 2008. Retrieved April 14, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Carmel Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  5. ^ "Carmal Valley Wineries List". American WineGuide. 2021.
  6. ^ "Application For The Establishment Of The "Carmel Valley" Viticultural Area" (Durney Vineyard). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury. March 15, 1982.
  7. ^ "Wineries & Breweries". Carmel Valley Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original on October 20, 2017.