California: Sierra Foothills and South Coast AVA

Question 1

The majority of plantings in the Sierra Foothills AVA are in what three sub AVAs?

Answer 1

Shenandoah Valley AVA
Fiddletown AVA
El Dorado AVA

Question 2

What grapes are commonly grown in Sierra Foothills AVA?

Answer 2

Mostly known for old vine Zinfandel

Range of Rhône, Italian and Spanish varietals

Question 3

What are the daytime temperatures in Sierra Foothills AVA?

Answer 3

Hot - 35 to 40 degrees

Question 4

What altitudes are vineyards found at in Sierra Foothills AVA? What effect does this have?

Answer 4

Up to 600m in Amador County
Over 1000m in El Dorado

Cool air descends from mountains at night: high diurnal range

Question 5

Describe the soils in Sierra Foothills AVA - what effect do these have on grapes grown here?

Answer 5

Most soils are sandy clay loam from decomposed granite

Retains sufficient water for dry farming

Question 6

South Coast AVA extends south from ___ to ___

Answer 6

From LA to Mexico

Question 7

What are the most planted varieties in South Coast AVA?

Answer 7

Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Chenin Blanc

Question 8

What happened to most land in South Coast AVA following prohibition?

Answer 8

It was taken for food crops and urban sprawl

Question 9

Which disease heavily affected vineyards in the 1990s?

Answer 9

Pierces disease