Suisun Valley AVA

Suisun Valley
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established1982
Years of wine industry166
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, North Coast AVA, Solano County
Other regions in California, North Coast AVA, Solano CountySolano County Green Valley AVA
Growing season312 days
Climate regionRegion III
Heat units3,368 GDD units
Precipitation (annual average)10–20 in (254–508 mm)
Soil conditionsBrentwood clay loam, Sycamore silty clay loam, San Ysidro sandy loam and Rincon clay loam
Total area15,000 acres (23 sq mi)
Size of planted vineyards3,000 acres (1,214 ha)
No. of vineyards7
Grapes producedCabernet Sauvignon, French Colombard, Chardonnay, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Valdiguie, Syrah, Zinfandel
No. of wineries16

Suisun Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in western Solano County, California, located east of the Napa Valley in the Coast Range and directly west of the city and county seat of Fairfield. The wine appellation was established as the nation's 21st, the state's fourteenth and the county's initial AVA on November 24, 1982 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Ben A. Volkhardt, president of the West Solano County Grape Growers Association, proposing a viticultural area in Solano County, known as "Suisun Valley."

The Suisun Valley landform is approximately three miles (5 km) wide and eight miles (13 km) long encompassing about 15,000 acres (23 sq mi) with approximately 3,000 acres (1,214 ha) cultivating more than twenty varieties of wine grapes including Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, French Colombard, Napa Gamay (Valdiguie), Grenache, Merlot, Mouvedre, Muscat Canelli, Petite Sirah, Petite Verdot, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Rousanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Shiraz, Syrah, Viognier, Riesling, and Zinfandel. The plant hardiness zone ranges from 9a to 9b.