Edna Valley AVA

The Edna Valley, derives its name from the small community of Edna founded about 1883. The name “Edna” was first used in a recorded lease document in 1899. Over the ensuing years the valley became locally known as Edna Valley. After evaluating the petition and the comments received, ATF believed that the Edna Valley viticultural area has a unique historical identity and that the name “Edna Valley” is the most appropriate name for the area.

Viticulture in the San Luis Obispo region historically dates back to the 1800s, but not in Edna Valley. Instead, the valley, with its optimal climate, fertile soils and long growing season, established itself, in the 19th century, for dairy, butter and cheese operations while agricultural crops including garbanzo beans, oats, barley, wheat and hay were grown. Additionally, apple, apricot, lemon, orange, peach and pear orchards were planted. Livestock including cattle, chickens, and horses were raised and grazed in the Edna Valley. This local agribusiness culture thrived for the next 90 years. However, in the 1970s, the valley experienced a winemaking revival when new vineyards were planted in what is currently known as Edna Valley Vineyard. Edna Valley wines are often grouped with those of the contiguous Arroyo Grande Valley AVA.

Edna Valley is a natural, elongated valley consisting of approximately {{convert|35|sqmi|acre|abbr=on}}. It is oriented along a northwest-southeast axis well defined by the Santa Lucia Mountains on the northeast side; a low, hilly complex on the southeast; and the San Luis Range on the southwest. The northwest border merges into the Los Osos Valley just beyond the town of San Luis Obispo. The inland areas of San Luis Obispo County generally experience substantially higher summer temperatures and substantially lower winter temperatures than Edna Valley. This is because of the mountain barrier which runs along the San Luis Obispo County coastline, shielding the inland areas from the moderating ocean influences.

The boundaries for the viticultural area are essentially the same as those for Edna Valley except that the viticultural area boundaries omit the hilly and mountainous areas, above the {{convert|400|ft|m}} contour line on the southwest side of the valley and above the {{convert|600|ft|m}} contour line on the northeast side, where slopes are too steep and soil capabilities are not suitable for grape-growing.

In Edna Valley, killing frosts are rare which is not the case in other inland areas of the county which are denied the benefits of the ocean influence by the mountain barrier. There is a gap in this mountain barrier where the Los Osos Valley meets the ocean in the Morro Bay area, {{convert|15|mi|km}} to the northwest of Edna Valley. Los Osos Valley serves as a wide mouthed funnel, providing an unobstructed sweep from the ocean into Edna Valley, bringing frequent morning fog during the summer months and winds in the afternoon. The pocket of hills and mountains surrounding Edna Valley captures the marine air, tempered by distance from the coastline, flowing in from Morro Bay through the Los Osos Valley, creating climatic conditions which differentiate Edna Valley from the surrounding areas. Although Los Osos Valley is also a distinguishable valley, its proximity to the ocean causes its climate to be colder with more fog and wind than Edna Valley. The floor of Edna Valley is approximately {{convert|120|to(-)|300|ft|m}} above sea level. The viticultural area projects into the surrounding uplands to the {{convert|600|ft|m}} contour line of the Santa Lucia Mountains and to the {{convert|400|ft|m}} contour line of the San Luis Range on the west. The elevations of the surrounding mountainous areas generally range between {{convert|1000|to(-)|2400|ft|m}} to the northwest, {{convert|600|to(-)|1600|ft|m}} to the southeast, and {{convert|400|to(-)|900|ft|m}} to the south and west. After evaluating the petition and comments, ATF determined that due to the topographic and climatic features of Edna Valley, it is distinguishable from the surrounding areas.

Major soils within Edna Valley are generally sandy clay loam, clay loam or clay. They are generally neutral to moderately alkaline. Most soils are calcareous at some level of the surface soil or subsoil. Soils in the surrounding mountainous areas above the {{convert|400|to(-)|600|ft|m}} contour levels are shallower than in the valley and are of poor soil capability. Soils in Los Osos Valley are similar to those in Edna Valley but are generally heavier and of better capability.

File:Edna Valley Chard.jpg

Edna Valley Vineyard, Paragon Vineyard, Chamisal Vineyard, Lawrence Winery and MacGregor Vineyards submitted the ATF petition to establish a viticultural area in San Luis Obispo County, to be named “Edna Valley.” The region is best known for its Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Syrah.{{cite web |title=Petition for Establishment of Viticultural Area - "Edna Valley" |url=https://www.ttb.gov/system/files?file=images/pdfs/Edna_Valley_petition.pdf |publisher=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury |format= |date=1980-09-11}}{{PD-notice}}

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• [http://www.sunset.com/travel/california/touring-edna-valley Touring the Edna Valley] Sunset Magazine article
• [https://www.ednavalleyvineyard.com/ Edna Valley Vineyard]
• [https://www.ttb.gov/AVA/ TTB AVA Map]

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Category:American Viticultural Areas of San Luis Obispo County, California

Category:Valleys of San Luis Obispo County, California

Category:1982 establishments in California

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