Escondido Valley AVA

Escondido Valley
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1992
Years of wine industry42
CountryUnited States
Part ofTexas
Other regions in TexasBell Mountain AVA, Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country AVA, Mesilla Valley AVA, Texas Davis Mountains AVA, Texas Hill Country AVA, Texas High Plains AVA, Texoma AVA
Growing season239 days
Climate regionRegion V
Heat units4008+ GDD
Precipitation (annual average)15.11 in (384 mm)
Soil conditionsgentle to steep gravelly soils and rock outcrop on limestone hills; rolling to steep very gravelly loamy soil
Total area32,000 acres (50 sq mi)
Size of planted vineyards235 acres (95 ha)
No. of vineyards1
Grapes producedCabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
No. of wineries0
Wine producedCabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling

Escondido Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Pecos County of the Trans-Pecos region in western Texas. The area was established as the nation's 141st and Texas' fifth AVA on May 19, 1992, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by from Mr. Leonard Garcia of Cordier Estates, Inc., proposing a viticultural area in Pecos County to be named "Escondido Valley." The diminutive viticultural area encompasses approximately 32,000 acres (50 sq mi) and contained one commercial winery operated by the petitioner cultivating about 250 acres (100 ha) under vine. The hardiness zone is 8b. In 2022, the AVA's sole winery filed bankruptcy and eventually liquidated operations auditioning off all its equipment. Its vineyards were abandoned after 35 years yielding quality fruit.