Middle Rio Grande Valley AVA

Coordinates: 35°13′46″N 106°37′42″W / 35.22946°N 106.628369°W

Middle Rio Grande AVA
Wine region

Casa Rondena Winery
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
Type American Viticultural Area
Year established 1988[1]
Country USA
Part of New Mexico
Climate region Continental
Total area 278,400 acres (112,664 ha)[2]

The Middle Rio Grande AVA is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in the watershed of the Rio Grande in central New Mexico that was established in 1988.

The AVA encompasses 278,400 acres (112,664 ha) of land in a narrow strip along the Rio Grande valley from Santa Fe to Belen, just south of Albuquerque. The land ranges from 4,000 to 6,500 feet (1,200 to 2,000 m) in elevation. The climate is semi-arid, with warm days and cool nights. Sub-freezing temperatures occur in the winter.[3] A variety of Vitis vinifera and French hybrid grapes are grown. New Mexico State University has conducted viticultural research in test vineyards in the Middle Rio Grande Valley at the Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 9.119 Middle Rio Grande Valley." Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas. Retrieved Feb. 1, 2008.
  2. ↑ Wine Institute, The (2008). "American Viticultural Areas by State". Retrieved Feb. 1, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Middle Rio Grande Valley (AVA)". Appellation America. Retrieved 2012-10-02.
  4. ↑ "NMSU’s Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center celebrates 50 years of research". Retrieved Feb. 1, 2008.