Located inland east of Santa Cruz in the middle of the Central Valley is the very hot Madera AVA. This wine region encompasses most of Madera County and northern parts of Fresno County. Most of the grapes are planted in alluvial loam soils on flat terrain where they get very ripe but lack the quality inducing acidity of cooler regions. The high yields that mostly result produce drinkable wines made with no pretences. (This page is copyrighted, Wine-Searcher)