Mimbres Valley AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1985 |
| Years of wine industry | 396 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | New Mexico |
| Other regions in New Mexico | Mesilla Valley AVA, Middle Rio Grande Valley AVA |
| Growing season | 180-207 days |
| Climate region | Region IV-V |
| Heat units | 3,826-5,049 GGD units |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 9–10 in (230–250 mm) snow: 1–4 in (2.5–10.2 cm) |
| Soil conditions | Sandy to loamy alluvium, and are generally fine, mixed and deep in character |
| Total area | 636,800 acres (995 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 2,000 acres (810 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 12 |
| Grapes produced | Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Dolcetto, French Colombard, Malvasia Bianca, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Ruby Cabernet, Syrah, Ugni Blanc and Zinfandel |
| No. of wineries | 2 |
Mimbres Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in southwestern New Mexico between the towns of Silver City and Columbus encircling Deming. It was established on November 20, 1985 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Pam Ray, President of The Southwest Chapter of the New Mexico Vine and Wine Society, proposing a viticultural area that extends from Grant to Luna Counties along the Mimbres River Valley in southwestern New Mexico named "Mimbres Valley." The viticultural area follows the Mimbres River southward from an area located approximately two miles (3 km) miles north of Mimbres to approximately three miles (5 km) south of Columbus on the U.S.-Mexico border. The AVA includes the Mimbres River watershed where most vineyards are located between 4,000 and 6,000 feet (1,200 and 1,800 m) above sea level. The area is a desert, but irrigation and the deep, rich soils of the once-larger Mimbres River have made viticulture possible since the late 19th century.