Mesilla Valley AVA

32.326595°N 106.775436°W / 32.326595; -106.775436

Mesilla Valley AVA

Wine region
Type	American Viticultural Area
Year established	1985[1]
Country	United States
Part of	New Mexico, Texas
Other regions in New Mexico, Texas	Middle Rio Grande Valley AVA, Mimbres Valley AVA
Total area	280,000 acres (438 sq mi)[2]
Size of planted vineyards	40 acres (16 ha)[2]
Grapes produced	Black Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Malvasia, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat of Alexandria, Primitivo, Riesling, Sangiovese, Viognier, Zinfandel

The Mesilla Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located primarily in the state of New Mexico, with a small area in the state of Texas.^[3] Spanish explorer Don Juan de Oñate arrived in the area in 1598, and named a Native American village in the valley Trenquel de la Mesilla, from which the valley as a whole became known as Mesilla Valley. Although viticulture began in nearby El Paso as early as 1650, grapes were first planted in the Mesilla Valley only in the early twentieth century, near the town of Doña Ana. Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Syrah are the most important grape varieties planted there.^[4] The climate in the Mesilla Valley is dry and hot.^[2]

See also

General

• New Mexico wine
• Texas wine

Wineries

• La Viña Winery
• St. Clair Winery