Santa Cruz Mountains AVA

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Wine region
Santa Cruz Mountains vineyard
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1982[1]
Years of wine industry187[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, Central Coast
Other regions in California, Central CoastGabilan Mountains AVA
Sub-regionsBen Lomond Mountain AVA
Soil conditionsFranciscan shale[1]
Total area480,000 acres (750 sq mi)[2]
Size of planted vineyards1,500 acres (607 ha)[3]
No. of vineyards200[2]
Grapes producedCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Grenache, Malbec, Malvasia, Merlot, Mondeuse, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot noir, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel[3]
No. of wineries60+[2]

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) centered on the Santa Cruz Mountains. Its territory spans three California counties, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo and was established January 4, 1982 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury. Santa Cruz Mountains AVA was among the first AVA to be defined by its mountainous topography. Based on elevation, it largely follows the fog line along the coast, extending down to 800 feet (240 m) on the eastern slope toward San Francisco Bay, 400 feet (120 m) on the western slope to the Pacific Ocean and extending along the ridge crest line at 3,000 feet (910 m) elevation plus.[3]

The mountainous terrain, the Pacific Ocean, and the San Francisco Bay have wide-ranging effects on the appellation, creating myriad microclimates in the region depending on the elevation of the land, location of the sloped mountainside vineyards, and the other terroir elements of fog, sun exposure, soil type and erosion.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d "Establishment of Santa Cruz Mountains Viticultural Area, California" (27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. ATF-98; Ref. Notice No. 360] Final Rule). Federal Register. 46 (233). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 3015–3026. December 4, 1981.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c "About The Appellation". Viticulture Association of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Retrieved May 20, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c "Santa Cruz Mountains (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on October 17, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2008.

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