Squaw Valley-Miramonte - Wine Region of the Day
/Squaw Valley-Miramonte
Inset from the 1921 Trimmer, California Quadrangle by the U.S.G.S.
The Squaw Valley-Miramonte AVA is 44,690 acres located 40 miles east of Fresno, California in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The region is rural with rugged hills covered with boulders and oak woodlands with elevations between 1,600-3,500 feet above sea level. The slopes of the vineyards range from 15% to 40% which requires virtually all work to be done by hand. The elevation and slopes allow cool evening temperatures to drain into the valley below which helps grapes growing in the region to produce more sugar and higher anthocyanins (red pigments). Grapes grown in the AVA include: Aglianico, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Syrah and Zinfandel.