Capay Valley AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2002 |
| Years of wine industry | 166 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Yolo County |
| Other regions in California, Yolo County | Clarksburg AVA, Dunnigan Hills AVA, Merritt Island AVA |
| Growing season | 150–250 days |
| Climate region | Region III-V |
| Heat units | 3,100–4,748 GDD units |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 15 to 40 in (380–1,020 mm) |
| Soil conditions | silty clay loam on alluvial fans |
| Total area | 102,400 acres (160 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 25 acres (10 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 4 |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Marsanne, Mourvedre, Petite Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier |
| No. of wineries | 4 |
Capay Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) situated in the landform, Capay Valley, in northwestern Yolo County of Northern California. The wine appellation was established on December 20, 2002, as the nation's 147th, the state's 85th and the county's fourth AVA by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition from Tom Frederick and Pam Welch of Capay Valley Vineyards proposing a viticultural area in Yolo County known as "Capay Valley."
The 102,400-acre (160 sq mi) area is a warm, sunny valley nestled between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Capay Hills bordering Napa, Lake and Colusa Counties about 80 miles (130 km) northeast of San Francisco. The valley has several winegrape growers including the petitioner, Capay Valley Vineyards, its largest winery whose vintages received gold and silver medals from the California State Fair and silver and bronze from the Orange County Fair. At the outset, there were approximately 25 acres (10 ha) of cultivation in the valley. The plant hardiness zones are 9a and 9b.