Lime Kiln Valley AVA
Encyclopedia
The Lime Kiln Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area
located in the larger Cienega Valley AVA
in San Benito County
, California
. This appellation
spans 2300 acres (931 ha) and was granted AVA status in 1982. The soil in the region is composed of foundations of limestone
and dolomite
with sandy, gravelly loam
above. The area has a wide diurnal temperature variation
of up to 50 °F (10 °C), with daytime temperatures in 85 °F (29 °C) to 95 °F (35 °C) range during the summer growing seasons. The AVA is home to old vine Mourvedre
plantings.
The only vineyards in the Lime Kiln Valley AVA are owned by the Enz Family. Currently there are 40 acres of vineyards, including a 15 acre parcel of head-trained Mourvedre that was originally planted in 1922.
American Viticultural Area
An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features, with boundaries defined by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau , United States Department of the Treasury....
located in the larger Cienega Valley AVA
Cienega Valley AVA
The Cienega Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in western San Benito County, California. It is part of the larger Central Coast AVA. The valley was once a major source of wine grapes for Almaden Vineyards before it was acquired by Constellation Brands in 1987. Approximately ...
in San Benito County
San Benito County, California
San Benito County is a county located in the Coast Range Mountains of the U.S. state of California, south of San Jose. As of 2010 the population was 55,269. The county seat is Hollister, which includes nearly two-thirds of the county's population. El Camino Real passes through the county and...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. This appellation
Appellation
An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical indication used to identify where the grapes for a wine were grown; other types of food often have appellations as well...
spans 2300 acres (931 ha) and was granted AVA status in 1982. The soil in the region is composed of foundations of limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
and dolomite
Dolomite
Dolomite is a carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate CaMg2. The term is also used to describe the sedimentary carbonate rock dolostone....
with sandy, gravelly loam
Loam
Loam is soil composed of sand, silt, and clay in relatively even concentration . Loam soils generally contain more nutrients and humus than sandy soils, have better infiltration and drainage than silty soils, and are easier to till than clay soils...
above. The area has a wide diurnal temperature variation
Diurnal temperature variation
Diurnal temperature variation is a meteorological term that relates to the variation in temperature that occurs from the highs of the day to the cool of nights.-Temperature lag:Temperature lag is an important factor in diurnal temperature variation...
of up to 50 °F (10 °C), with daytime temperatures in 85 °F (29 °C) to 95 °F (35 °C) range during the summer growing seasons. The AVA is home to old vine Mourvedre
Mourvèdre
Mourvèdre , Mataró or Monastrell is wine grape variety used to make both strong, dark red wines and rosés. It is an international variety grown in many regions around the world....
plantings.
The only vineyards in the Lime Kiln Valley AVA are owned by the Enz Family. Currently there are 40 acres of vineyards, including a 15 acre parcel of head-trained Mourvedre that was originally planted in 1922.