Grand Valley AVA
| Wine region | |
Vineyards below Mt. Garfield in Palisade | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1991 |
| Years of wine industry | 136 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Colorado |
| Other regions in Colorado | West Elks AVA |
| Climate region | Continental, Semi-arid |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 9.06 in (230.12 mm) snow: 22 in (56 cm) |
| Soil conditions | sandy Genola, Hinman, Mayfield, Mesa, Ravola, and Thoroughfare |
| Total area | 75,990 acres (118.73 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 800 acres (320 ha) |
| Grapes produced | Black Muscat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Merlot, Muscat Ottonel, Orange Muscat, Pinot gris, Riesling, Rkatsiteli, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Viognier |
| No. of wineries | 30 |
Grand Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) within Mesa County, Colorado located in a high-altitude river valley surrounding the county seat of Grand Junction and stretching 24 miles (39 km) east-west between the municipalities of Palisade and Fruita. It lies approximately 200 miles (320 km) west-southwest of Denver along Interstate 70. The river valley encompasses 75,990 acres (118.73 sq mi), with an average elevation between 4,000 and 5,000 feet (1,200–1,500 m) above sea level and is defined by an irrigated agricultural area served by canals in the Grand Valley of the Colorado River. The initial AVA in the Centennial State was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury on November 25, 1991, after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. James Seewald of Vintage Colorado Cellars Winery, on behalf of local vintners and wineries, proposing a viticultural area named "Grand Valley." In 2001, the smaller West Elks AVA, located southeast of Grand Valley, became the state's second designated AVA.