Sierra Foothills AVA

Sierra Foothills AVA ( recognized since 18 November 1987) is an American Viticultural Area in the U.S. state of California. The area lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Vines were planted at the time of the California gold rush to the early 1850s. The area has more than 100 mostly family-owned wineries.

The Sierra Foothills AVA extends over six administrative districts: Amador County, Calaveras County, El Dorado County, Mariposa County, Nevada County and Yuba County. With an area of 10,521 km enrolled ² this appellation is one of the largest American Viticultural Area in California. The vineyards lie at an altitude 450-900 m above sea level. NN.

Most important varieties are the Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah.

Climate

Since the area is 150 km from the coast of the Pacific, it is often very hot in midsummer. The low humidity and the wind, the cool air of the San Francisco Bay zoom into the night, stay, however, make bearable and a viticulture possible at this altitude. There is a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm dry mostly summer.