Cienega Valley AVA

"Cienega Valley" redirects here. For valley in Arizona, see Cienega Valley (Arizona).
Cienega Valley AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1982[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, Central Coast AVA, San Benito AVA
Grapes producedCabernet Franc, Cabernet Pfeffer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Grenache, Merlot, Negrette, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel[2]

The Cienega Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in western San Benito County, California, United States. It is part of the larger Central Coast AVA. The valley was once a major source of wine grapes for Almaden Vineyards before it was acquired by Constellation Brands in 1987. Approximately 1,100 feet (340 m) above sea level, the valley floor is divided by the San Andreas Fault. Soil on the east side of the fault is predominantly granite and sandstone, whereas soils on the west side of the fault are predominantly granite and limestone.[2] It contains some of the oldest pinot noir grapes in California.[3]

  1. ^ "§ 9.38 Cienega Valley" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  2. ^ a b "Cienega Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
  3. ^ Mobley, Esther (August 2, 2018). "Eden Rift in Hollister, the vineyard that unearthed a hidden California history". San Francisco Chronicle. San Francisco, CA. Retrieved June 23, 2019.