Carmel Valley - Wine Region of the Day
/CARMEL VALLEY
Photo of the Carmel Valley by David Toomey for Qorkz.
The Carmel Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1982. Sitting on 19,200 acres in the larger Central Coast, the region is located in Monterey County, centered around Carmel Valley Village. The soil of the region is primarily gravely sand loam. There are only 300 acres planted with vines, and those vines sit at an elevation above 1,000 feet on hillside terraces. Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the Valley is cooler with coastal breezes and fog, but the elevated growing regions protect the vines from the cooler weather. Carmel Valley is best known for its production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Syrah.