Santa Maria Valley AVA
Santa Maria Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which straddles the boundary of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties in California's multi-county Central Coast AVA. It was established on August 5, 1981, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as California's second oldest AVA. A portion of the AVA crosses the Cuyama River into the southernmost corner of San Luis Obispo County. The east–west orientation of the 152.3 square miles (97,483 acres) with a wide, open valley and rolling hills means cool winds and fog flow in freely from the Pacific Ocean, settling most noticeably in lower-lying areas. The result is a mild Mediterranean climate that lengthens the growing season and contributes to the eventual sugar/acid balance in the grapes from Santa Maria Valley's 7,500 acres (3,000 ha) cultivated vineyards. On January 28, 2011, the AVA was granted an 29.4 square miles (18,790 acres) expansion to its southern boundary.
| Wine region | |
Santa Maria Valley vineyards | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1981 |
| Years of wine industry | 194 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County |
| Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County | Alisos Canyon AVA, Ballard Canyon AVA, Happy Canyon AVA, Los Olivos District AVA, Santa Ynez Valley AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA |
| Climate region | Region I, II |
| Total area | 97,483 acres (152.317 sq mi) 2010 exp: 116,273 acres (181.677 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 7,500 acres (3,000 ha) 2010 exp: 7,755 acres (3,138 ha) |
| Grapes produced | Aligote, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mondeuse, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Silvaner, Syrah, Tocai Friulano, Viognier, Zinfandel |