Carmel Valley AVA
Carmel Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Monterey County, California, southeast of Carmel-by-the-Sea and it is one of the ten AVAs in the county. Approximately 100 miles (161 km) south of San Francisco, the AVA was recognized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury on January 13, 1983 after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. David Armanasco, General Manager of Dumey Vineyard, located in Carmel, to propose a viticultural area named “Carmel Valley.”
| Wine region | |
Château Julien Wine Estate in Carmel Valley | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1983 |
| Years of wine industry | 154 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County |
| Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County | Arroyo Seco AVA, Chalone AVA, Hames Valley AVA, Monterey AVA, San Antonio Valley AVA, San Bernabe AVA, San Lucas AVA, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Gabilan Mountains AVA |
| Growing season | 2317-3085 GDD |
| Climate region | Region I and III |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 16.5 to 22.5 in (419.1 to 571.5 mm) |
| Soil conditions | San Andreas Fine Sandy Loam and Arroyo Seco Gravelly Sandy Loam |
| Total area | 19,200 acres (30 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 300 acres (120 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 20 |
| Grapes produced | Aleatico, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Zinfandel |
| No. of wineries | 25 |
The appellation is nestled about 5 miles (8 km) inland from the Pacific coast within the towering Santa Lucia Range encompassing over 19,000 acres (30 sq mi) with 300 acres (120 ha) of cultivated grapes on elevations ranging from 203 to 2,762 ft (61.9–841.9 m) above sea level. The AVA is resident to a number of wineries and some vineyards dating back to the 1870s, as well as the town of Carmel Valley Village. Vineyards are predominantly within Carmel Valley and Cacahgua Valley. Bordeaux varietals are popular with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot comprising more than 70% of the grapes grown in the area.