Middle Rio Grande Valley AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1988 |
| Years of wine industry | 397 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | New Mexico |
| Other regions in New Mexico | Mesilla Valley AVA, Mimbres Valley AVA |
| Growing season | 180–200 days |
| Climate region | Region IV-V |
| Heat units | 3,795–4,726 GDD |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 8.1 to 9.2 in (210–230 mm) |
| Soil conditions | medium, moderately or fine textured sand to clay |
| Total area | 278,000 acres (435 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 458 acres (185 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 20 |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling |
| No. of wineries | 11 |
Middle Rio Grande Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Central New Mexico with a viticulture heritage dating back to 1629. The region extends from just south of Santa Fe to the bosque of the Rio Grande, centering around the Albuquerque metropolitan area. It was established as the nation's 122th and the state's third AVA on February 2, 1988, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Middle Rio Grande Chapter of the New Mexico Wine and Vine Society of Albuquerque, on behalf of local vintners, proposing a viticultural area named "Middle Rio Grande Valley."
The viticultural area encompasses 278,400 acres (112,700 ha) of land in a narrow valley no wider than 19 miles (31 km) along the Rio Grande valley from Santa Fe southward for approximately 106 miles (171 km) to San Antonio south of Albuquerque. The land ranges from 4,000 to 6,500 feet (1,200–2,000 m) in elevation. The climate is semi-arid, with warm days and cool nights. Sub-freezing temperatures occur in the winter.
The area consists of an irrigated valley of approximately 435 square miles (278,000 acres). At the outset, there were 6 bonded wineries in the viticultural area with others planned for the near future. A variety of Vitis vinifera and French hybrid grapes are grown. New Mexico State University has conducted viticultural research in test vineyards in the Middle Rio Grande Valley at the Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center. The plant hardiness zones are 7a and 7b.