Fresno County Wine

Although not an official AVA, Fresno County, in the San Joaquin Valley of California, is home to California State University, Fresno (known as Fresno State), with its internationally acclaimed viticulture and oenology program, as well as the first commercial on-campus winery in the US.

Traditionally, this very warm Californian region was better known for growing grapes for raisins rather than wine production. However, vines planted near the San Joaquin river, where conditions are noticeably cooler, are now producing higher-quality wines. Award-winning wines have been made from Syrah, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Barbera and Tempranillo, with Viognier the only white grape of any note.