Edna Valley AVA

The Edna Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in San Luis Obispo County, California encompassing the rural town of Edna, which is south of the county seat San Luis Obispo and north of the small coastal town Arroyo Grande. It is a sub-region of the larger Central Coast AVA. The valley is roughly bounded by Lake Lopez to the south and Islay Hill to the north. The valley runs east to west, bounded to the west by the Santa Lucia Mountains. It is surrounded by volcanic mountains and characterized by black humus and clay-rich soils. With moderate sunshine, cool maritime fog, and rich oceanic and volcanic soils, the Edna Valley appellation has California's longest growing season. The valley is kept cool by breezes from the Pacific Ocean and morning fog. The extended growing season gives complex flavors to the grapes.

Ripe grapes, Edna valley

Panorama of Talley Vineyards, located along Lopez Drive in the heart of the Edna Valley AVA.

Edna Valley AVA

Wine region
View from Edna Valley winery
Type	American Viticultural Area
Year established	1982, amended in 1987[1]
Years of wine industry	1800's-present[2]
Country	United States
Part of	California, Central Coast AVA
Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA	Arroyo Grande Valley AVA, Paso Robles AVA, York Mountain AVA
Total area	22,400 acres (9,065 ha)[3]
No. of vineyards	20[2][4]
Grapes produced	Albarino, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Teroldego, Viognier[5]

The region is best known for Chardonnay, Pinot noir, and to a lesser extent, Syrah. Grapes were originally planted here by Spanish missionaries in the early 19th century. The region saw a revival when new vineyards were planted in the early 1970s by what is known today as Edna Valley Vineyard. Edna Valley wines are often grouped with those of the contiguous Arroyo Grande Valley AVA.[5] The AVA was designated in 1982, with help from the founders of what today is the Edna Valley Vineyard.