Central Valley AVAs

The Central Valley AVAs encompasses 20 different AVAs that are clustered or clumped together in various different areas such as the Lodi area and the Tracy area as well as the area north of Vacaville and west of Woodside and the area around Fresno and Visalia.

Alta Mesa AVA

Established on 16 July 2006, the Alta Mesa AVA is entirely located within the Lodi AVA in Sacramento County.  The Alta Mesa AVA is halfway between Sacramento and Lodi in California's Central Valley, falling under the larger Lodi AVA.

Alta Mesa, meaning "high table" in Spanish, is located on a flat plateau that is slightly elevated over the rest of Lodi - which ranges from 35 feet on the western edge to 135 feet in the east.  The AVA spans a total of 55,400 acres of land. 

Alta Mesa AVA is defined by the river terraces and alluvial soil deposits from the American and Cosumnes rivers, which provide an alternative to the region's flat and somewhat monotonous topography.

The Alta Mesa AVA appellation is known for warm summers and low rainfall which makes the area one of the hottest in Lodi AVA.  With less water to go around, the vines are forced to produce smaller grapes with concentrated flavors compounds.

One of the most distinguishing characteristics are its soils.  90% of the soil in the Alta Mesa AVA is dense clay and heavy gravel, known as the San Joaquin series.  The San Joaquin soil series has a high percentage of clay and gravel, and intensive reddening and cementation caused by silica, clay, and iron. This dense, heavy clay prohibits deep rooting by grapevines. Because of this, deep ripping is required prior to planting.

This terroir translates into rich and intense styles of red and white wine.  5,300 acres of the appellation are planted to grapevines. The most common grape varieties are Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.  The region is also home to plantings of less-common varieties such as Torrontes, Verdelho and Touriga Nacional.

Borden Ranch AVA

Established on 16 July 2006, the Borden Ranch AVA is located in both Sacramento County and San Joaquin County. It is part of the larger Lodi AVA. The AVA covers a total of 70,000 acres.

Located in the east central portion of the Lodi area, Borden Ranch vineyards are located at altitudes between 73 feet and 520 feet above sea level. The northern edge of the AVA is defined by Laguna Creek and the southern edge is defined by Dry Creek, both of which flow out of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains into the San Joaquin Valley.

Bisected by Dry Creek just south of center, the Borden Ranch AVA is the only one of Lodi’s seven AVAs with land in both Sacramento and San Joaquin counties.

Hillside soils include very old (125,000 to 700,000 years) volcanic mud flow and alluvial stream deposits from Laguna and Dry Creeks which are dominated by metamorphic coble, stony clay pan, and clay loam.

12,000 acres of the Borden Ranch AVA are planted to wine grapes.  Red wine grape varietals are the most commercially important grapes in the area.

Capay Valley AVA

Established on 19 December 2002, the Capay Valley AVA is located in the Capay Valley, in northwest Yolo County.  The 102,400 acres region included in the AVA borders Napa County, Lake County, and Colusa County, and is bounded by the Blue Ridge to the west and the Capay Hills to the east.

Capay Valley AVA runs along the north-western edge of Yolo County in California, on the border with Napa County. Its location in a warm, sunny valley between the Blue Ridge mountains and the Capay Hills, 80 miles northeast of San Francisco.

Capay Valley has a fairly Mediterranean climate with warm days and mild nights. A moderate amount of cold air comes from the mountains in the evenings, and the open-ended valley also feels some cooling breezes from the Sacramento Delta in the south. The warmer climate here means a shorter growing season, and harvest in Capay Valley usually takes place quite early in the autumn. The early-ripening grape varieties that are planted here reflect this fact.

Vineyards in the Capay Valley are mostly located on the gently rolling valley floor where the soils contain river rock and volcanic ash deposits. The best vineyard sites are found in the mountains surrounding the valley, where the higher altitude is responsible for a more significant drop in temperature overnight. The growing season in these mountain vineyards tends to be slightly longer than on lower elevations, and the wines produced are typically more restrained and elegant in style.

The region is well suited to the production of wines made with the Rhône grape varieties – predominantly Syrah and the white wine variety Viognier.  Along with the Rhône varieties, Sauvignon Blanc, Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes also do well in Capay Valley, and several less common varieties are also grown, such as Albariño and Primitivo.

Clarksburg AVA

Established on 22 January 1984, the Clarksburg AVA spans three counties in Sacramento Valley. Located in portions of Sacramento County, Solano County, and Yolo County, the Clarksburg AVA includes 64,640 acres near the town of Clarksburg.

The climate in Clarksburg features warm days tempered by cool coastal winds and fog which moves inland from San Francisco Bay and keeps the Clarksburg area cooler than nearby Sacramento.

The terrain is mostly flat with mineral-rich alluvial, clay and silt soils.  These soils suit a limited number of the noble wine-grape varieties, most of which are fussy, requiring free-draining soils and reliable warmth. The over-fertile, poor-draining soils found across Clarksburg are more suited to high yields than high-quality, refined wine styles.

Most of its wine-growing areas are contained within Yolo and Sacramento counties, with a small southern portion in Solano County.

Because of its ability to produce cool-climate wine styles in vast quantities, Clarksburg is popular with wineries from other AVAs looking to buy in grapes for bulk wine bottlings, meaning the vast majority, up to 90 percent of Clarksburg grapes are vinified in other parts of the state and other states across the US. So, relative to the AVA's prolific production levels, very few wines actually bear the Clarksburg AVA name, leaving it among the lesser-known Californian AVAs.

Although Clarksburg's vineyards are best known for their Chenin Blanc, which produces remarkably honeyed wines, aromatic white varieties of various origins are also grown here. More than 25 grape varieties are found throughout the AVA, among them are the northern Rhone's Viognier, Verdelho and Albarino from the Iberian Peninsula and Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio from the cooler climes of northern Italy. Chardonnay is also a common feature in Clarksburg vineyards.

One could be forgiven for assuming that most of the vineyards in Clarksburg are full of Chenin Blanc; after all, the majority of wines which actually bear the Clarksburg AVA title are made from Chenin Blanc, one of very few varieties which produces high-quality wines here. In reality, however, Chardonnay vines outnumber Chenin Blanc vines. 

Clements Hills AVA

The Clements Hills AVA is located in San Joaquin County. It is located in the southeast part of the larger Lodi AVA. The Mokelumne River flows through the wine region, which is composed of rolling hills between 90 feet and 400 feet in elevation.  The Sierra Foothills are found to the east, and the town of Lodi lies to the northwest. The total area is 85,400 acres.

Clements Hills AVA shares the Mediterranean climate that is enjoyed by much of Lodi, although this AVA is slightly warmer and wetter than those on the western side of Lodi. Intense sunlight is tempered by cooling breezes from the Golden Gate Gap, extending the growing season and ensuring balance in the wines of Clements Hills AVA. 

A variety of microclimates exist within the hills of the region. The soils in the area includes loams, clay loams, and clays. Below the alluvial top soil are areas of granite and volcanic soils.

The soils range from older soils (225,000 years plus) to much younger (up to 25,000 years), fine sandy loams which are deep enough to accommodate own-rooted, old vine Zinfandel dating as far back as the 1920s. The older soils in this AVA are in the Redding (primarily), Cometa, Yellowlark, and Montepellier series and range from brown and reddish orange to yellow loams, clay loams, and clays with granitic and volcanic sediment. 

The water in the ground in this eastern part of Lodi is slightly lower than in the regions closer to the coast. Combined with shallow, rocky soils made up of decomposed granite and loam, this lower water table means that vines here develop deeper root systems to reach the water. The berries grown by these vines are small, with thick skins and low yields. Consequently, the wines made in Clements Hills tend to be more structured and have firmer tannins than those from regions on the western side of the Lodi AVA.

The Clements Hills AVA is home to 21,700 acres of planted wine grapes.  The warm climate and poor-quality soils here are well suited to the production of wines made from Spanish grape varieties such as Tempranillo, Grenache and Albarino.  While these Spanish varieties do excellently here, there are also plantings of Zinfandel, Syrah and Viognier.

Although there are some wineries that call Clements Hills AVA home, a significant portion of the vineyards in the region sell their grapes to other producers outside of the AVA. Clements Hills wines are often sold under the better-known Lodi AVA.

Cosumnes River AVA

The Cosumnes River AVA is located in both Sacramento County and San Joaquin County. Located mostly in Sacramento County, the region is part of the larger Lodi AVA and includes a portion of the lower Cosumnes River.

Elevations in the AVA range from about 5 feet to 48 feet above sea level. At these low elevations, frequent fog keeps the Cosumnes River AVA cooler than other regions of Lodi.

The AVA is named for the Cosumnes – a river that flows out from the Sierra Nevada and down through the north eastern portion of the Lodi AVA before joining the Mokelumne River at Cosumnes AVA’s southwest corner.

Younger, moderately fertile, silty soils dominate 60% of the AVA in lower areas of floodplains, sloughs, and wetlands. The remaining 40% is covered with mid-age, reddish, gravelly clay loam soils in the San Joaquin Series.

The largest of Lodi’s AVAs in terms of total acreage, 54,700, but only contains 3,500 planted acres making it the smallest number out of all seven AVAs.

Diablo Grande AVA

Established on 21 June 1998, the Diablo Grande AVA is located in Stanislaus County. There are 30,000 acres in the AVA.  The region is named after nearby Mount Diablo, the highest peak in the Pacific Coast Range.

Diablo Grande AVA is one of California's smallest and most remote AVAs. It is located in the west of Stanislaus County, about 30 miles east of San Jose, within the larger Central Valley wine region of California.  Its immediate neighbor to the east is Salado Creek AVA, another lesser-known AVA of the Central Valley.

The AVA's vineyards, which are planted on the San Joaquin Valley's western slopes at altitudes of 1000 to 1800 feet above sea level. This elevation brings cool air and freshening breezes to the Diablo Grande vineyards, moderating the effects of the hot central Californian summer days and lessening the risk of damage from vine disease. This elevation also allows vineyards to receive higher rainfall in comparison to surrounding areas.  

Wines from the Diablo Grande AVA are made from such international wine-grape varieties as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Syrah, Barbera, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

At present wines from the Diablo Grande AVA are sporadically produced, and very few (if any) make it onto the international market. They are mostly bought and consumed by the local population.

Dunnigan Hills AVA

Established on 12 May 1993, the Dunnigan Hills AVA is located in the Dunnigan Hills, in the north-west of Yolo County.  Most vines in the Dunnigan Hills AVA are planted on low, rolling hills about 400ft above sea level. These hills are just north-west of the town of Woodland, on the west bank of the Sacramento River.  In total the growing zone covers 89,000 acres.

The Dunnigan Hills Fault runs through the AVA. It is the key factor in the undulating topography here.  Located in the northwest portion of Yolo County, the wine region has a Mediterranean climate that is less prone to frost than other parts of the Sacramento Valley.

The Mediterranean climate produces warm, dry days and cool nights, which help to preserve the grapes' natural acidity. Light, cool winds that blow up the Sacramento Delta further cool the vines. All of these conditions help to lengthen the growing season and give the option of growing a wide variety of grapes.

The summer days are hot, averaging between 95°F and 98°F, but at night the temperatures cool to between 55°F and 65°F. This tremendous drop in temperature allows the grapes to cool, which preserves the grapes' natural acidity.

Soils consist mostly of free-draining red gravel loams, excellent for the production of quality wine grapes.  A lack of water in the soil reduces vigor in the vines and leads to lower yields of more-concentrated fruit. Lower down, the valleys offer silt or clay loams over sandstone and are less desirable for quality grape growing. Within this general picture, the slopes and hollows of these rolling small hills adds subtle variations to soil compositions as well as exposure to the sun.

Around 1300 acres are planted to vines.  Its gently rolling topography and Mediterranean climate make it well suited to the production of bright, full-bodied wines made from a wide range of varieties including Chardonnay, Syrah and Tempranillo.  Other varieties include Petite Syrah (Durif), Petit Verdot and Teroldego.

Jahant AVA

Established on 16 July 2006, the Jahant AVA is located within the Lodi AVA, just north of the town of Lodi itself. Most of the AVA is located within San Joaquin County, with a small part in Sacramento County. At 28,000 acres, Jahant is the smallest of the Lodi AVA appellations. 

The zone is generally flat, with elevations varying from 10 to 80 feet. Areas of erosion add features to the topography.  Jahant is Lodi's smallest AVA, bordered by the Dry Creek River in the north and the Mokelumne River in the southwest.  This low-lying AVA is affected by its close proximity to the Mokelumne River and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta which keeps the climate cool and dry.

The climate in Jahant is relatively cooler than in the surrounding appellations, due to the temperature-moderating influence of the Mokelumne River and the close proximity of the Sacramento Delta, 20 miles away. Cooling breezes off the delta in the afternoon mean that warm days are followed by cooler nights. This extends the growing season and helps grapes to balance ripeness and acidity.

The area is known for its distinctive pink colored Rocklin-Jahant loam soil with the AVA's boundaries being delineated by the extent and reaches of the soil.  These soils tend to be sandier at the top and are preceded by layers of dense, cemented clay and gravel. While these thick layers make it more difficult for a grapevine to establish exceptionally deep roots, they also retain water well which means less need for irrigation.  This means that viticulturists do not need to rely on irrigation during the summer months.

The smallest of Lodi’s AVAs with approximately 9,000 acres planted to wine grapes. It contains many grower vineyards producing grapes for wineries in other parts of Lodi, and as far afield as Napa Valley and Sonoma.

It is recognized in particular for producing powerful, concentrated wines from Tempranillo. Beyond Tempranillo, the cool climate has seen an increase in the white wines produced here, particularly those made from Sauvignon Blanc.

Lodi AVA

Established 12 February 1986, the Lodi AVA is located in the Central Valley, at the northern edge of the San Joaquin Valley east of San Francisco Bay. The Lodi AVA is one of the largest in California.  The AVA includes 551,000 acres of which 103,000 acres are currently planted with wine grapes. 

Lodi’s seven nested appellations include: Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse.

The appellation includes land in southern Sacramento County and northern San Joaquin County. It is bounded on the west by Interstate Highway 5 and to the east by the political borders for the adjacent El Dorado, Amador, and Calaveras Counties.

Lodi AVA is described as an inland area that is comprised mainly of alluvial fan, flood plain lands, and lower and higher terrace lands.

Lodi AVA has a Mediterranean climate similar to that along the Mediterranean Sea, with warm days and cool nights.  This provides a narrower range in temperature than areas directly to the north and south due to its location opposite the wind gap leading inland from the Golden Gate.

The soil, unlike many other appellations, varies within the AVA, though in most places it is a deep loam that occasionally is covered with large rocks, similar to the French region of Chateauneuf du Pape.

Although the appellation is probably best known for its old vine Zinfandel, Lodi also produces a large quantity of Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Madera AVA

Established on 11 December 1984, the Madera AVA is located in Fresno County and Madera County, in central California.  Madera AVA lies at the heart of California's Central Valley.  Located 100 miles due east of Santa Cruz on the Pacific coast, Madera centers around the town of the same name, which is the administrative center of Madera County.

With a total area of 230,000 acres, 38,000 acres of which are planted to wine grapes, Madera AVA is actually one of California's longer-established viticultural areas.  This region in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley region of the Central Valley produces 10% of all wine grapes grown in the state of California. 

The sunny Madera AVA is watered by the various rivers which flow through it on their paths down from Sierra Nevada's mountains. The largest of these is the San Joaquin, in the early stages of its journey towards its meeting with the Stanlislaus at River Junction, and beyond that the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta which cools the vines of the Lodi AVA.

Also significant to Madera's viticulture is the Fresno river, which flows through the center of Madera town. The abundance of sunshine and water makes this central portion of the San Joaquin Valley some of the most productive farmland in the United States.

Most Madera AVA wines are made from vineyards planted in alluvial loam soils on flat terrain. Achieving high levels of ripeness is no challenge here, and with efficient irrigation high yields are also likely. The challenge is how to retain the acidity required to make high quality, age worthy wines.

Modern grape growing practices have shown that this region can produce very high quality wines. The region has seen tremendous growth and success due to the shift from high-volume production to high-quality production.

In years past, many of the grapes grown in Madera were used for the production of low-priced wines. Today, the grapes are shipped to producers of wines throughout the state, including Napa and Sonoma. The wineries located in the region produce wines from the large variety of grapes grown in the Madera AVA designation.

The wine is rarely exported, and is sold with little of the pomp and circumstance which surrounds the most prestigious Californian AVAs. Madera AVA is known mostly for bulk wines produced from Muscat, Chenin Blanc, French Colombard, Chardonnay, Grenache, Syrah, Zinfandel and Merlot. Fortified port-style and dessert wines made from Muscat grapes are also produced here, as the warm climate suits them well.

Merritt Island AVA

Established on 16 May 1983, the Merritt Island AVA is located in Yolo County. Part of the larger Clarksburg AVA, Merritt Island is a 5,000 acres island in the Sacramento River Delta.

The island is approximately six miles long from north to south, and measures only 1.6 miles across at its widest point.  The island is surrounded by Elk Slough, Sutter Slough, and the Sacramento River.

Cool breezes and fog arriving from the nearby San Francisco Bay create a cool maritime climate.

The breezes and fog from the delta can be felt in the vineyards of Merritt Island, tempering the effects of warm sunshine and helping to extend the growing season, which results in more balanced flavors in the grapes.

The island soil is a very fertile and rich loam. As in the larger Clarksburg area, the land is flat and the fertile, alluvial loam soils result in vines with high vigor and yields, making Merritt Island well suited to high volume grape production.

Like Clarksburg AVA, the Merritt Island AVA is rarely used.  Most grapes grown on Merritt Island are used in blends with grapes from other parts of the state. Merritt Island is administered under Reclamation District 150.  It is mostly planted to varieties such as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Petite Syrah.

Mokelumne River AVA

The Mokelumne River AVA is located in San Joaquin County. It is located in the southwest part of the larger Lodi AVA, and includes the city of Lodi and the towns of Woodbridge and Acampo. The AVA is named after the Mokelumne River, which drains out of the Sierra Nevada Mountains into the San Joaquin River and passes through the heart of the appellation. The wine region includes a portion of the lower Mokelumne River and the Cosumnes River, a tributary.

The AVA is named for the Mokelumne (or Mighty Moke) – a 95-mile-long river flowing from the central Sierra Nevada through Lodi and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta before emptying into the San Joaquin River-Stockton Deep Water Shipping Chanel.

The river flows through the region on its path from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Sacramento Delta immediately west of the Mokelumne River AVA. Clements Hills AVA separates Mokelumne River from the Sierra Foothills zone in the east, while Jahant AVA lies immediately to the north.

The Mokelumne River AVA covers 87,500 acres across the flat Central Valley floor. Almost half of this acreage, 42,000 acres, is under vine. The topography is generally flat, varying between 10 and 85ft in elevation.

The climate is classically Mediterranean, and both the river and the Sacramento Delta moderate the temperatures here. The vineyards of Mokelumne River enjoy warm, sunny days followed by cooler evenings.  Cool breezes in the afternoon from the delta, just 15 miles away, lower temperatures in the area,. This extends the ripening season and allowing the grapes to develop rich fruit characters while retaining their all-important acidity.

Mokelumne River AVA has deep, alluvial soils made of sandy loam. Ample rainfall and soil moisture retention allows most grape growers to farm without the use of irrigation.  These free-draining soils are ideal for quality viticulture – the vines are forced to forgo the production of foliage in favor of producing life-sustaining berries. These berries are typically more concentrated in color and sugars, leading to richer, more intense styles of wine.

The Mokelumne River AVA was the first area in Lodi AVA to be planted with vines and it includes some 120-year-old Zinfandel vineyards. These older vines produce wines with distinctive black cherry and dark fruit flavors which are unique to the region. As in other parts of Lodi, many wines are made from Spanish grape varieties, including Graciano, Carinena and Albarino. 

Paulsell Valley AVA

Established on 2 June 2022, the Paulsell Valley AVA, is located in Stanislaus County.  The AVA is positioned in the San Joaquin Valley (the California Central Valley), somewhat between the town of Knights Ferry and the Modesto Reservoir.  The Paulsell Valley AVA is situated to the west of the Sierra Foothills AVA and to the south of the Lodi AVA; it does not, however, overlap with any previously established viticultural area.

The name Paulsell refers to a nearby unincorporated community—sometimes known as Old Paulsell Town and the valley that runs through it, carved by Dry Creek.  The distinguishing features of the Paulsell Valley AVA include its topography, soils, and climate.

The landscape within the new AVA consists mainly of rolling hills interspersed with water-carved channels and steep, isolated hills known as intermounds. This type of landscape is known as mound-intermound relief and is unique to the area (as compared with the surrounding landscape). 

Elevations in the Paulsell AVA range from 140 to 612 feet. The numerous slopes allow for excellent drainage, while the isolated patches of higher elevation (located towards the top of the intermounds) allow for long hours of sun exposure.

The climate of the Paulsell Valley AVA is slightly warmer than the areas that surround it, and slightly drier than the area within the Sierra Foothills AVA. The (average) temperature within the new AVA is well above 4100 growing degrees days (GDD); by any accounts this is a warm, dry, inland area well-suited to the cultivation of hardy red grapes.

The soils of the Paulsell Valley AVA consist mainly of volcanic tuff (a sedimentary soil created via the compaction of volcanic ash and bits of igneous rock) and alluvial deposits. In some spots, the topsoil contains cobbles—small rocks typically defined as being 2.5 to 10 inches in diameter, sometimes referred to as cobblestones—remnants of significant flooding.

The Paulsell Valley AVA—covering a total area of 34,155 acres—contains approximately 826 acres planted to vine. The leading grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Petite Syrah.

River Junction AVA

Established on 8 May 2001, the River Junction AVA is located in both San Joaquin County and Stanislaus County. West of the city of Modesto, the wine region is located at the confluence of the San Joaquin River and the Stanislaus River.  River Junction AVA is one of California's (and the nation's) smallest AVAs. It is located around 25 miles south of Lodi, around the city of Ripon.  The total area measures 1,300 acres.

River Junction AVA is cooler than surrounding areas of the Central Valley.  Because of the topography bordering the rivers, and the presence of the waters themselves, the climate at River Junction is reliably 2 to 5°F cooler and more moderate than that of the surrounding area. This contributes to the quality of the grapes, and was influential in the AVA decision.

River Junction AVA is the only place in the valley where high concentrations of fine sandy loam are to be found.  River Junction is distinctive for its free draining, sandy loam soils, the result of its position at the meeting point of several river systems. Alluvial soils such as these are ideal for viticulture as they mitigate the risk of vines getting 'wet feet' and root rot. It also forces them to dig deep, strong root systems in search of water and nutrients.

90% of the vineyard land planted in the AVA is planted with Chardonnay grapes.  The vineyards are planted with Chardonnay, Viognier, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, alongside more uniquely Californian varieties Zinfandel and Petite Syrah.

Salado Creek AVA

Established on 28 June 2004, the Salado Creek AVA is located in northern Stanislaus County, near the town of Patterson.  Salado Creek AVA is on the western edge of California's Central Valley.

The Diablo Mountains to the west separate Salado Creek from Santa Clara Valley (along with the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean), and the San Joaquin River flows through the Central Valley just east of the AVA. Salado Creek itself is a river that runs from the Diablo Mountains to the San Joaquin River, giving rise to the name of the AVA.

Salado Creek is a part of the hot, reasonably dry thermal belt of the Central Valley, but receives some cooling influences from the Sacramento Delta, 40 miles to the north. These breezes help to extend the growing season by slowing ripening, but the wines of Salado Creek are generally riper, with more stewed-fruit flavors than the brighter styles of wine found in more-coastal parts of California.

The terroir of Salado Creek is heavily influenced by the eponymous river, and the vineyards are planted around this and the Little Salado River at the base of the Diablo range. The river slows considerably when it reaches the flatter ground on the valley floor. This causes it to deposit heavier, coarser alluvial material at the base of the hills, forming an alluvial fan. The deep, well-drained soil here is known as the Ensalado series and is unique to this part of California.

The AVA was delimited in 2004, and now mostly consists of small grape growers, with the region's wines being made at contract wineries under a handful of labels. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier are the main grape varieties grown in Salado Creek.

Sloughhouse AVA

Established on 16 July 2006, the Sloughhouse AVA is located in Sacramento County. It is in the northeast part of the larger Lodi AVA.  Sloughhouse AVA is in the north-eastern corner of Lodi, where the broad, flat Central Valley gives way to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Sloughhouse AVA spans an impressive 78,800 total acres, it is home to a mere 8,000 acres of planted wine grapes. Located entirely within Sacramento County, this AVA is approximately 21 miles southeast of the city of Sacramento and 22 miles north of the city of Lodi.

Stretching from Borden Ranch AVA and Alta Mesa AVA in the south and west up toward Sacramento, Sloughhouse AVA is one of the larger AVAs within the Lodi AVA.  Its terrain can be described as transitional, and the flat land of western Lodi is suddenly replaced by rolling hills that form the very base of the Sierra Foothills. 

Elevations in Sloughhouse AVA reach as high as 590 feet above sea level, reducing the influence of fog that keep lower elevation areas in Lodi cooler.  Sloughhouse AVA has the warmest climate in the Lodi region.  Sloughhouse AVA is considered by some to be a transitional climate and terrain between the characteristics of the wine regions of the Central Valley and the nearby Sierra Foothills AVA.

Sloughhouse AVA is less influenced by the winds from the Sacramento Delta than the rest of Lodi, meaning that the summers here are warmer. But the winters are colder and there is more rain, because of the area's proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountains in the east. This climate is more conducive to a heavy, baked-fruit style of wine, and so the heat-loving Zinfandel and Petite Syrah varieties are the top performers in the AVA.

The most defining characteristic of the terroir in Sloughhouse is its soils. Soils in Sloughhouse consist of older (avg. 500,000 years), lower vigor, reddish-orange silt, sand, and gravelly loam.  The construction of levees in the Sacramento Delta to drain marshland in the 19th Century led to a lowering of the water table throughout the region. This caused many of the shallower tributaries of the Cosumnes and Deer rivers to dry up, but not before depositing smooth river stones across the land. Soils scattered with these stones are much prized by vignerons, because they restrict vine growth, leading to lower yields of grapes, and these are more concentrated in flavor.

The 7000 acres of vineyards in the AVA are mostly owned by producers in other parts of Lodi and most of the grapes are used in regional Lodi blends.  Sloughhouse AVA produces spicy, intense red wines from Petite Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel.

Squaw Valley-Miramonte AVA

Established on 6 August 2015, the Squaw Valley-Miramonte AVA is a unique grape-growing region in Fresno County surrounding the towns of Squaw Valley and Miramonte approximately 40 miles east of the city of Fresno.  It is largely a rural region located entirely within the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains and does not overlap any established AVAs. To the northwest, west, and south is the San Joaquin Valley while the Sequoia National Forest is adjacent to its northern and eastern boundaries.

The AVA stretches over 44,690 acres with about 7.5 acres planted to vine in the Sierra Foothills, with the mountainous landscapes providing the main point of difference from the Central Valley below.  The USDA plant hardiness zone for the AVA is 9b.

The distinguishing features of Squaw Valley-Miramonte are its climate, topography, and soils. The topography consists of steep and rugged hillsides covered with boulders and oak woodlands.  Elevations range from 1,600 to 3,500 feet, and slope angles in the vineyards range from 15 to 40 percent. As a result of the steep terrain, mechanized vineyard equipment is not practical, so almost all vineyard work is done manually. The vineyards are also much smaller than those in the neighboring San Joaquin Valley, where the terrain is lower and flatter.

The Squaw Valley-Miramonte AVA’s weather is generally above the fog and below the snow, with an average of 267 sunny days per year.  Its winters are cool and wet while the summers are hot and dry. Daytime temperatures are cooler than in the neighboring Valley to the south, west, and northwest. However, nighttime temperatures are usually warmer because cool air drains off the slopes at night and settles in the Valley. The cool daytime temperatures and warm nighttime temperatures during the growing season produce higher levels of sugar and anthocyanins at harvest than occur in grapes grown in the warmer Valley.

Rainfall is 29–33 inches a year, typically more than that of the San Joaquin Valley and less than at elevations above 3,500 feet. The high rainfall amounts increase the risk of erosion, so vineyard owners plant ground cover between the vineyard rows to help hold the soil in place. Most of the precipitation in the AVA falls as rain; however, at higher elevations it sometimes falls in the form of some snow. Micro-climates, including cold air sinks and temperature inversions occur. The day/night temperature shift in Squaw Valley–Miramonte is less pronounced than in the valley, making the region’s growing season from one to three weeks later. Vineyards are located on south and southwest-facing slopes, providing the heat, needed for vine growth. Winds flow downhill out of the mountains at night cooling the vines.

The majority of the soils within the AVA are derived from granitic material, mainly quartz diorite which differ from the Valley’s predominately sandy loam soils, described as having good drainage reducing the risk of root disease. The soils within the AVA are severely deficient in nitrogen, a nutrient necessary for vine growth, and therefore require supplementation. Additionally, soils in some of the vineyards have an excess of potassium, which interferes with the vines' ability to uptake magnesium. Much decomposing granite is just below the soil, making vines work hard to push down roots. As a result, magnesium must be added to the soil in these vineyards.

Squaw Valley - Miramonte AVA has only a small handful of producers in the region, making wines from grape varieties like Petite Syrah and Carmenere.  A majority of vineyards throughout the Squaw Valley-Miramonte AVA are planted to the red varieties of Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Pinot Noir. It is Petite Syrah that tops the most-popular list, with small plantings of Sauvignon Blanc also figuring in the inventory.

Tracy Hills AVA

Established on 7 November 2006, the Tracy Hills AVA is located approximately 55 miles east-southeast from San Francisco through the Livermore Valley. The zone straddles San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties, located mostly at the southern edge of San Joaquin County, although they creep over into Stanislaus County.

The Tracy Hills AVA is a region of 40,000 acres. The vineyards in the appellation are planted between 100–500 feet above sea level, and overlook the vineyards of the tiny River Junction AVA on an alluvial plain.

The sloping hillside topography includes streams and alluvial fans and plains. The distinguishing climatic features of the proposed area include limited rainfall and persistent winds, along with sparse fog, frost, and dew.

The vineyards within this area are generally planted between the low, rolling Altamont Hills around the town of Tracy (a factor in the AVA's name). Here they are protected from the Pacific Ocean's influence by the peaks of the Californian Coastal Ranges.  Despite being located along the eastern edge of the Coastal Ranges, the topography is mostly gentle, sloping steadily down towards the San Joaquin valley floor.

The geological profile consists mostly of fairly free-draining alluvial and colluvial soils. Limited rainfall, particularly during the harvest, helps control yields and persistent breezes help keep temperatures down and vine disease to a minimum.

The Italian varieties Nero d'Avola, Montepulciano and Sagrantino are planted in small quantities, and are complemented by French counterparts such as Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Winters Highlands AVA

Established on 28 August 2023, the Winters Highlands AVA is located in Yolo County and also extends into part of Solano County.  Nestled in the heart of Northern California, the Winters Highlands AVA spans approximately 57,500 acres, and includes 7,296 acres on the inner slope of the Coastal Range.

The region’s unique geographical features, including its elevation and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, create a distinctive microclimate. With elevations ranging from 100 to 400 feet above sea level, the region enjoys a microclimate that allows for the cultivation of a diverse array of red and white grape varietals.

The well-drained gravely loam layered over dark red clay soil, combined with the cool, lingering coastal influence and ample sunlight, create the ideal conditions for producing wines of depth and character.

The Winters Highlands AVA grows varietals such as Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Syrah, Tempranillo, Malbec, Grenache, Barbera, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo and Albariño.  The region has a history of producing bold reds with velvety textures to crisp whites with vibrant acidity.