Monterey AVA

Monterey
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1984[1]
1987 Amended[2]
Years of wine industry254[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County
Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Monterey CountyChalone AVA, Carmel Valley AVA, Gabilan Mountains AVA, San Antonio Valley AVA
Sub-regionsArroyo Seco AVA, Hames Valley AVA, San Bernabe AVA, San Lucas AVA, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Climate regionRegions I-IV[3]
Heat units57 to 60 °F (14–16 °C)[4]
Precipitation (annual average)10 to 16 in (254–406 mm)[4]
Soil conditionsArroyo Seco, Chualar, Danville, Elder, Garey, Greenfield, Gloria, Lockwood, Metz, Oceano, Pico, Placentia, Rincon, Tujunga series[4]
Total area1,825 square miles (1,168,000 acres)[5]
Size of planted vineyards40,000 acres (16,000 ha)[6]
Grapes producedAlbarino, Alvarelhao, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Malvasia, Merlot, Orange Muscat, Petite Sirah, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Souzao, Syrah, Tannat, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional, Valdiguie, Viognier, Zinfandel[7]

Monterey is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in eastern Monterey County, California. It was recognized on July 16, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Monterey Winegrowers Council to establish the "Monterey" viticultural area.[4] The designated area within the multi-county Central Coast AVA expands almost the entire length of the county from the Monterey Bay southern shoreline to the Salinas river valley framed by the Santa Lucia, Sierra de Salinas and Gabilan Ranges stretching north-south for about 100 miles (160 km) from Watsonville to its southern point, abutting the town of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County. Monterey AVA expands approximately 360,000 acres (560 sq mi) with about 40,000 acres (16,000 ha) of cultivated vineyards.[6] The AVA includes parts of the Carmel and the Salinas valleys containing five smaller American viticultural areas: Arroyo Seco, Hames Valley, San Bernabe, San Lucas and Santa Lucia Highlands. The northern portion is a cool growing region with a very long growing season. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 75 °F (24 °C) in most parts of the region, although the southern segments of the AVA can measure 100 °F (38 °C) at times.[6] The soil is sandy loam and most regions require irrigation from the Salinas River.[7]

As the largest AVA in Monterey County, the region is home to considerable variations in microclimates and soil types with the dominant soil being loam based. In areas closer to the cold Pacific currents, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay are the predominant varieties, while in the warmer inland valleys further south, Bordeaux varietals are most often grown. Chardonnay is the predominate varietal composing approximately 50 percent of the vines in production.[6]

  1. ^ a b "Alcohol; the Monterey Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [T.D. ATF-177 Re:Notice No. 490] Final Rule). Federal Register. 49 (117). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury: 24714–24720. June 15, 1984.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "§9.98 [Amended]" (Rules and Regulations). Federal Register. 52 (39). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms: 5290. February 27, 1987. Retrieved October 4, 2024.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ "Monterey County" (California Wines Local Terroir). Capstone California. Wine Institute. 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "Petition For Monterey Viticultural Area" (PDF). TTB.gov. Monterey Winegrowers Council. May 14, 1982. Retrieved October 4, 2024.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ "Establishment of the Monterey Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [Notice No. 494] Notice to proposing rule). Federal Register. 48 (225). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury: 52597–52602. November 21, 1983.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ a b c d "Monterey Wine Country" (AVA’s (American Viticultural Area)). Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Monterey (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on July 6, 2008. Retrieved January 24, 2008.