Verde Valley AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2021 |
| Years of wine industry | 30 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Arizona |
| Other regions in Arizona | Sonoita AVA, Willcox AVA |
| Growing season | 175-200 days |
| Climate region | Region V |
| Heat units | 5,580 GDD units |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 13.83 in (351 mm) |
| Soil conditions | Alluvial soils composed of loams ranging from very fine sandy to gravelly loam with silt and limestone |
| Total area | 130,000 acres (200 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 125 acres (51 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 24 |
| Grapes produced | Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malvasia Bianca, Picpoul Blanc, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Seyval Blanc, Syrah, Tannat, Vermentino and Viognier |
| No. of wineries | 11 |
Verde Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) encircling the basin of the Verde River located in Yavapai County of central Arizona approximately 100 miles (160 km) north of the Phoenix metropolitan area. It was established as the state's third and the 260thAVA on November 9, 2021 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Verde Valley Wine Consortium (VVWC) on behalf of local grape growers and winemakers proposing the viticultural area named “Verde Valley.”
The Verde River flows through the center of the Verde Valley from the northwest to the southeast. Steep foothills surround the valley. The Verde Valley viticultural area encompasses approximately 130,000 acres (200 sq mi) and is not located within, or adjacent to, any other AVA. There are 24 commercially-producing vineyards cultivating approximately 125 acres (51 ha) within the AVA, as well as 11 wineries. The petition states that an additional 40 acres (16 ha) of vineyards are planned for planting in the next few years. According to the petition, the distinguishing features of the Verde Valley AVA are its climate, soils, and topography.