Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) establishes the approximately 200-square mile “Verde Valley” viticultural area (AVA) in Yavapai County, Arizona. The Verde Valley viticultural area is not located within any other established viticultural area.
The action was in response to a petition from the Verde Valley Wine Consortium, on behalf of local grape growers and winemakers. There are 24 commercially producing vineyards covering about 125 acres within the proposed AVA, as well as 11 wineries. The petition stated that an additional 40 acres of vineyards are planned for planting in the next few years. According to the petition, the distinguishing features of the proposed Verde Valley AVA are its climate, soils, and topography.
The petition states that the proposed Verde Valley AVA has an average annual rainfall amount that is significantly lower than in the surrounding regions. Due to the low rainfall, vineyard owners within the proposed AVA must use irrigation to ensure adequate hydration for their vines. Additionally, temperatures within the proposed Verde Valley AVA are warmer than in each of the surrounding regions and provide suitable heat and sunlight for photosynthesis. The petition also states that the difference between daytime high temperatures and nighttime low temperatures within the proposed AVA can exceed 30 degrees F, which is a greater difference than found in any of the surrounding regions. Such a significant drop in nighttime temperatures delays grape ripening, lessens the respiration of acids, and increases phenolic development in the grapes.