Middle Rio Grande Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Central New Mexico with a viticulture heritage dating back to 1629. The region extends from just south of Santa Fe to the bosque of the Rio Grande, centering around the Albuquerque metropolitan area. It was established as the nation's 122th and the state's third AVA on February 2, 1988, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Middle Rio Grande Chapter of the New Mexico Wine and Vine Society of Albuquerque, on behalf of local vintners, proposing a viticultural area named "Middle Rio Grande Valley."
The viticultural area encompasses 278,400 acres (112,700 ha) of land in a narrow valley no wider than 19 miles (31 km) along the Rio Grande valley from Santa Fe southward for approximately 106 miles (171 km) to San Antonio south of Albuquerque. The land ranges from 4,000 to 6,500 feet (1,200–2,000 m) in elevation. The climate is semi-arid, with warm days and cool nights. Sub-freezing temperatures occur in the winter.
The area consists of an irrigated valley of approximately 435 square miles (278,000 acres). At the outset, there were 6 bonded wineries in the viticultural area with others planned for the near future. A variety of Vitis vinifera and French hybrid grapes are grown. New Mexico State University has conducted viticultural research in test vineyards in the Middle Rio Grande Valley at the Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center. The plant hardiness zones are 7a and 7b.
⭐ Core Definition: Rio Grande Valley AVA
- ⭐ Core Definition: Rio Grande Valley AVA
- Rio Grande Valley AVA in the context of Rio Grande Valley (landform)
Rio Grande Valley AVA in the context of Rio Grande Valley (landform)
The Rio Grande Valley is the river valley carved out by the Rio Grande as it flows through the American Southwest and northeastern Mexico, forming a part of the border region. In the US state of New Mexico, the river flows mostly north to south, and forms a valley from near Cochiti Pueblo to the state line near El Paso, Texas, along the floors of the large sedimentary basins of the Rio Grande Rift, and includes the narrow sections between the basins. It has been historically settled first by the Pueblo peoples, the Spanish, the Mexicans, and finally Anglo-Americans. As the largest river in the state, some of New Mexico's most populous cities are located wholly or partially in the valley, including Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city.
The Rio Grande Valley is vital to the state's surface and groundwater municipal water supply, recreation, and agriculture, including irrigated farmland, the Rio Grande Valley AVA, the Mesilla Valley AVA, and the largest acreages of land for growing chile peppers and pecans in the United States, accounting for 77% and 14% of US production, respectively.
View the full Wikipedia page for Rio Grande Valley (landform)