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Glossary · Nature & Wildlife

Santa Cruz Mountains AVA

The American Viticultural Area in the mountains above Los Gatos, established on December 4, 1981, one of the first defined by its mountain terrain.

The appellation spans Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties and follows the fog line: down to 800 feet on the bay side and 400 feet on the ocean side, up past 3,000 feet on the ridge.

Vineyards have grown in the area since the 19th century. The Los Gatos Wine Walk pours wines mainly from the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Central Coast.

Sources

Questions people ask

When was the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA created?

December 4, 1981.

What makes it different?

It was one of the first appellations defined by mountain topography, using elevation and the fog line.

Related terms

  • TestarossaThe winery in the old Novitiate cellars since 1997, counted as the fourth-oldest continuously operating winery in California because the Jesuits made altar wine through Prohibition.
  • Sacred Heart NovitiateThe Jesuit training house on the hill above Los Gatos, founded in 1886-1888, whose winery made sacramental wine for 98 years; now the Sacred Heart Jesuit Center.
  • Los Gatos Wine WalkThe Chamber of Commerce’s spring and fall tasting walk through downtown shops and restaurants, pouring wines mainly from the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Central Coast.

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