Livermore Valley AVA
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| Livermore Valley AVA (Wine Region) | |
| Appellation type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1982, amended 2006[1] |
| Country | USA |
| Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, San Francisco Bay AVA |
| Total area | 96,000 acres (38,850 ha)[2] |
| Grapes produced | Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Colombard, Counoise, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Souzao, Syrah, Tempranillo, Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional, Viognier, Zinfandel[3] |
The Livermore Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area in Alameda County, California, surrounding the city of Livermore. Both the AVA and the city are named after Robert Livermore, a landowner whose holdings encompassed the valley. The groundwater basin underlying the valley is the Livermore Basin, the largest sub-unit of which is the Mocho Subbasin. The Livermore Basin is one of five aquifers in the San Francisco Bay Area that supply most of the metropolitan Bay Area population.[4] The entire Livermore Basin aquifer faces a concern over elevated total dissolved solids by the year 2020 due to an expanding human population leading to higher rates of return water flows to the aquifer containing certain salts. [5]
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[edit] Wine production
In the early 1960s, Livermore had as much area under vine as Napa Valley did at that time. However, it remained relatively unknown, while Napa rose to worldwide prominence. Wente Vineyards has long been the largest producer in the Livermore Valley, making around 300,000 cases of relatively inexpensive wine annually, much of it for export. It was first established in the valley in 1883. The next largest producer, Concannon Vineyard, makes around 30,000 cases per year. The rest are mostly new and considerably smaller. Only in the last decade have smaller producers sprung up, like White Crane Winery, with 43 wineries operating in Livermore as of 2008.[citation needed]
The relatively obscure Petite Sirah grape produces Livermore's best known red wine, although the warm climate also makes for interesting dessert wines. The original plantings of Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc were cuttings taken from Château d'Yquem, and those grapes tend to produce fine wine in the Livermore area. There is also a move afoot among the wineries in Livermore to specialize in Merlot. Wine made from grapes grown in the Livermore Valley is eligible for the Livermore Valley AVA, San Francisco Bay AVA, and Central Coast AVA appellation of origin designations.
[edit] Winegrowers association
In 1981, threatened by impending development pressures, a small group of vintners and growers formed the (LVWA) Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association[6]. Today with a growing membership of 40 wineries and growers and 50 community businesses, the association is dedicated to showcasing the Livermore Valley Wine Country by highlighting the talent, energy, fine wine and visitor amenities of this region.
[edit] Wineries and vineyards
- Bent Creek Winery
- Concannon Vineyard
- Cresta Blanca Winery
- PICAZO Vineyards
- Battaion Cellars
- Bodegas Aguirre Winery
- Cedar Mountain Winery
- Chouinard Vineyards
- Deer Ridge Vineyards
- Fenestra Winery
- Thomas Coyne Winery
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.46 Livermore Valley." Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved Jan. 24, 2008.
- ^ Wine Institute (2008). "American Viticultural Areas by State". Retrieved Jan. 24, 2008.
- ^ Appellation America (2007). "Livermore Valley (AVA): Appellation Description". Retrieved Jan. 24, 2008.
- ^ San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board (2004). "San Francisco Bay Area Regional Water Quality Control Board Integrated Management Plan (2004)". Retrieved Jan. 24, 2008.
- ^ Bonnie, Thomas L. (2000) "What are the projected impacts of injecting reclaimed, reverse osmosis water into the Livermore-Amador Groundwater Basin?". Retrieved Jan. 24, 2008.
- ^ www.livermorewine.com Livermore Valley Winegrowers Association
