Edna Valley AVA
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Edna Valley was approved as an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in May 1982 because of its unique topographical setting and grapegrowing characteristics. This unique geographical location, cool climate and soil content all have an influence over the grapes grown in the valley and the wines made from those grapes. Edna Valley Vineyard sits in the heart of this appellation and benefits from these traits that combine to make this appellation unrivaled in the wine world. The Edna Valley is a natural, elongated valley encompassing approximately 35 square miles. This transverse valley (running east/west) is well defined by the Santa Lucia Mountains to the northeast, a low, hilly complex to the southeast and by the San Luis Range to the southwest. The northeast border merges into the Los Osos Valley just beyond the city of San Luis Obispo. Edna Valley Vineyard is the most northern of the vineyards in this AVA. Unlike appellations in Napa, Sonoma, Paso Robles, and Monterey, there are no major mountains to the west to block the maritime air masses from entering this valley. A gap exists in the mountain barrier where the Los Osos Valley meets the ocean in Morro Bay. Los Osos Valley serves as a wide-mouthed funnel, providing unobstructed airflow from the ocean to the Edna Valley. The pocket of hills and mountains surrounding Edna Valley capture marine air flowing in from Morro Bay, creating climatic conditions that differentiate Edna Valley from the surrounding areas. This pocket of cool air rests directly over Edna Valley Vineyard. This area is identified as a region II according to the Winkler-Amerine system, the most important climate region in California for growing premium winemaking grapes. Due to the mild climate, the growing season is typically the longest in California. This fosters optimum acidity, low pH and full development of luscious aromas and flavors in the mature grapes. The Edna Valley Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes begin to push new shoots as early as the first of February, more than a month before regions of Northern California and the Central Valley. Also, the Edna Valley grapes are often harvested into late October. The mild spring and summers extend the period from bloom to maturity, which is one of the important contributions to the development of special and complex traits found in Edna Valley Vineyard' fruit. The result is a wine with intense richness, full of varietal character and proper balance. In addition to this unique climatic, our soil content is also distinctive. Geographically, this valley' soil is a combination of marine deposits and volcanic remnants. Our vines grow in areas of marine sediment deposited more than 25 million years ago, consisting of layers of clay, sea shells and beach sand to the soil. Additionally, the soils are enriched by an eroding chain of fourteen ancient volcanoes that begins in Morro Bay and ends at Edna Valley Vineyard with Islay Mountain. The convergence of maritime climate, the marine sediment in the soil, and the volcanic influences of granite and tufa give Edna Valley wines a distinctive flavor. These are big, concentrated wines that maintain their balance. |