One of California’s first AVAs, the Santa
CruzMountains
growing area was approved in 1981, based on its mountainous elevations, thin,
stony soils and cool growing conditions influenced by the Pacific Ocean and San FranciscoBay.The 408,000-acre AVA encompasses the Santa Cruz mountain range from Half
Moon Bay and Woodside in the north (about 30 miles south of San Francisco) to
Mount Madonna and Gilroy inland in the south (30 miles south of San Jose), and
west to Watsonville on the coast.It
also reaches into portions of San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa
Cruz counties.
While the
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is a relatively large appellation, only 1500acres have been planted to vineyard.The region is recognized for its diverse
high-elevation microclimates, mountain terrain and appropriately low crop
levels; most vineyards lie at the 2,000 foot level, although a few are planted
as low as 800 feet.The region boasts 70
small, family-owned wineries known for producing wines of intensely concentrated
fruit, most notably Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
