Arroyo Seco is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Monterey County, California, southeast of Monterey Bay. The appellation encompasses 18,240 acres (29 sq mi) in the valley adjacent to the Arroyo Seco Creek with approximately 8,500 acres (3,440 ha) of cultivation. The region's proximity to the Pacific Ocean produces the maritime climate, and is best suited for those cool climate grape varieties.

Arroyo Seco
Wine region
Chardonnay from the Arroyo Seco AVA
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1983[1]
2006 Amended
Years of wine industry62[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County, Monterey AVA
Heat unitss
Total area18,240 acres (28.5 sq mi)[1]
Size of planted vineyards8,500 acres (3,440 ha)[1]
Grapes producedBarbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier[2]

The soils in the Arroyo Seco area consist of a series of gravelly and fine sandy loams well suited to the cultivation of grapes. The viticultural area is an alluvial fan formed by well drained soils with slopes ranging from 0 to 9 percent. Principal soil series include Mocho, Lockwood, Arroyo Seco, Rincon, Elder, and Chular. The prominent soils, Chular and Arroyo Seco, are coarse sandy loams derived from decomposed granite washed down from the Gabilan Range. These soils are gravelly and low in lime content similar to the vineyards in the Medoc and Graves districts of Bordeaux, and to the better vineyards in the Palatinate[1]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "Arroyo Seco Viticultural Area" (27 CFR 9 [T.O. ATF-131; Reference Notice No. 431] Final rule). Federal Register. 48 (74). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 16842–16847. April 15, 1983.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "Arroyo Seco (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on May 10, 2009. Retrieved January 24, 2008.

External links edit

36°20′30″N 121°20′29″W / 36.34154178°N 121.34127273°W / 36.34154178; -121.34127273