Santa Maria Valley AVA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Santa Maria Valley (Wine Region) | |
| Official name | Santa Maria Valley |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1981 |
| Country | USA |
| Part of | Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties, California |
| Climate region | Region I |
| Total area | 80,000 acres (320 km²) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 7,500 acres (30 km²) |
| Varietals produced | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah |
| No. of wineries | Addamo, Rancho Sisquoc, Au Bon Climat, Lucas & Lewellen, Io, Foxen, Cottonwood Canyon, Costa De Oro, Byron, Cambria |
Santa Maria Valley is an American Viticultural Area located in Northern Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County, California USA.
Contents |
[edit] Geography and climate
The Santa Maria Valley is a natural funnel-shaped valley opening west to the Pacific Ocean. The elevation of the area ranges from approximately 200 feet (60 m) at the intersection of Highway 101 and Santa Maria River to approximately 3200 feet (975 m) at Tepusquet Peak. The grapes that are grown within the area are on the valley floor at an approximate elevation of 300 feet (100 m) and on the slopes and rolling hillsides up to an elevation of 800 feet (240 m). The soils within the area range in texture from a sandy loam to clay loam and are free from adverse salts.[1].
Since the valley opens to the ocean, there is no opposition to the sea fog that moves in at midday and engulfs lower lying vineyards. This creates a cool growing environment that is a Region I on the Winkler Scale[2]. The valley features a long growing season and very little rainfall, meaning grapes have an extensive time to build flavor on the vine[3].
| Monthly normal and record high and low temperatures | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec high °F | 86 | 89 | 95 | 103 | 100 | 102 | 104 | 103 | 103 | 108 | 93 | 90 |
| Norm high °F | 63.9 | 64.8 | 64.8 | 67.6 | 68.6 | 71.4 | 73.5 | 74.2 | 74.9 | 74 | 69.2 | 64.9 |
| Norm low °F | 39.3 | 41.4 | 42.7 | 43.4 | 46.9 | 50.4 | 53.5 | 54.2 | 52.9 | 48.2 | 41.8 | 38.2 |
| Rec low °F | 5 | 22 | 24 | 31 | 31 | 36 | 43 | 43 | 36 | 26 | 25 | 20 |
| Precip (in) | 2.64 | 3.23 | 2.94 | 0.91 | 0.32 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.31 | 0.45 | 1.24 | 1.84 |
| Source: USTravelWeather.com [1] | ||||||||||||
[edit] History
This appellation is the oldest in this portion of California.[4]. Grape growing in this region dates back to the Mexican Colonial period of the 1830s [5]. In the late 1960 commercial vineyards were planted to supply wineries around the state. Since vineyards in the valley have come to encompass 7,500.
[edit] Varietals
Owing the cool growing climate, the valley is best known for its Pinot Noir, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Pinot Blanc.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Santa Maria Valley Viticultural Area Final Rule. Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
- ^ Santa Maria Valley AVA. Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
- ^ Santa Maria Valley (AVA). Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
- ^ A History of Bien Nacido. Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
- ^ Santa Maria Valley Viticultural Area Final Rule. Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
