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The Sierra Foothills wine region in California is one of the largest AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) in the entire USA, encompassing 2.6 million acres (1 million ha) from Mariposa County in the south to Yuba County in the north.
In this historic gold-mining region located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the altitude ranges from 1000 to 3000ft (300–900m) above sea level. As a result, warm days are followed by cool nights, creating a climate which is conducive to quality grape growing as acidity is retained and aromas are concentrated in the grapes, helping to balance the finished wines.
This vast region, awarded AVA status in 1987, has a huge array of terroirs. The rocky soils vary, with low fertility commonplace – making grape growing difficult but producing high-quality wines. The vines are forced to dig their roots deep into the ground to find water and nutrients, and the end result is often small yields of grapes with intense, concentrated flavors.
Wine grapes were first planted in the Sierra Foothills in the mid-19th century, during the California Gold Rush. More recently, grape growers have been drawn to the region because land prices here are considerably lower than in other grape-growing areas of California. Consumers, too, have been attracted by the bargains, as wines from the Sierra Foothills are often half the price of those produced in coastal regions.
Zinfandel is the main grape variety planted across much of the region, producing big, ripe, full-flavored styles. Because of the diverse climate many other varieties flourish, notably Rhone, Bordeaux and Italian grapes. Syrah, in particular, has been found to thrive in this difficult and changeable environment.
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