San Ysidro District - Wine Region of the Day

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San Ysidro District

The San Ysidro District received its designation as an AVA in 1990. Sitting on 2,340 acres in the foothills of the Diablo Mountain Range, the region is located in Santa Clara County. The soil in San Ysidro is made up of sandy loam and clay and is known for its good drainage. The region receives day long sunshine with daily temperatures often above 90 degrees during peak growing season. The valley is cooled in the evenings by maritime winds that blow through the Pajaro River Gap connecting Santa Clara to Monterey. There are no wineries operating in the San Ysidro District, but the region features vineyards that supply Santa Clara Valley producers with fruit. The region mostly produces Chardonnay and Merlot.

Santa Clara Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Santa Clara Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1989. Situated over 332,800 acres, Santa Clara Valley is a larger AVA containing sub-appellations San Ysidro and Pacheco Pass. The soil in the area is made up of gravelly loam, clay, and sandstone. The climate in Santa Clara Valley is moderate to warm with daily temperatures in the high 80s during the peak of growing season. Winds blow in and cool the valley from the San Francisco Bay to the north and the Pacific Ocean via Monterey to the south. The region is known for Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

Pacheco Pass - Wine Region of the Day

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Pacheco Pass received its designation as an AVA in 1984. Pacheco Pass is located on 3,200 acres and is situated on the line between Santa Clara and San Benito Counties. Pacheco Pass is home to the famous roadside attraction Casa De Fruta farmstand, and they are the only producers in the region.  The region grows Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Merlot and Zinfandel.

The pass was named for Francisco Perez Pacheco owner of the nearby Rancho Ausaymas y San Felipe.  Often the pass was referred to as Robber's Pass due to attacks on travelers in the area.  The area is also said to be haunted by ghosts of accident victims (including one searching for his missing head), victims of Indian massacres and the lovelorn.

We think we will stick with the wine.