Los Carneros AVA
| Wine region | |
Los Carneros vineyards in Sonoma County | |
| Other names | Carneros |
|---|---|
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
| Year established | 1983 2006 Amended |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, North Coast AVA, Napa County, Sonoma County, Napa Valley AVA, Sonoma Valley AVA |
| Total area | 37,000 acres (58 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 9,000 acres (3,642 ha) |
| Varietals produced | Albarino, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tocai Friulano, Vermentino, Vernaccia, Viognier, Zinfandel, Petit Verdot |
Los Carneros and Carneros identifies the American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in southern Sonoma and Napa counties in California. The 37,000-acre (58 sq mi) area was established, with both names, as the nation's 37th, the state's 24th, Sonoma County's third and Napa County's second appellation on August 18, 1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Beaulieu Vineyards proposing a viticultural area named "Los Carneros." The close proximity to San Pablo Bay to the south exposes the area to coastal fog and breezes that makes the Los Carneros climate cooler and more moderate than wine regions farther north in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. The climate has positioned Los Carneros ideal for the cultivation of cool climate varietals like Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Los Carneros grapes are also processed for sparkling wine production. Receiving its AVA status in 1983, the Carneros area was the first wine region in California to be defined by its climate characteristics rather than political boundaries. The plant hardiness zone ranges from 9a to 10a.