Sonoita is an AVA in the south-eastern corner of Arizona, in the south-western United States of America. It is Arizona's only AVA and covers a large area of 28,000 acres (11,300ha), taking in the valley basin encircled by the Santa Rita, Huachuca and Whetstone mountain ranges. Sonoita takes its name from a small town at the centre of the AVA, 20 miles (32km) west of the larger town of Sierra Vista and 40 miles (64km) south-east of Tucson. On a wider scale, Sonoita's location lies roughly between the Santa Cruz and San Pedro rivers.
© Wikimedia/Bill Morrow
The altitude here is between 4000 and 5000ft (1220–1525m), and the temperatures are correspondingly lower than on the dry plains further down. It is the combination of intense sunshine and moderated temperatures which lies behind the quality of Sonoita's terroir. By being removed from the heat endured on the plains, Sonoita has a longer growing season, during which the grapes are given time to develop high levels of phenolic ripeness.
Because of Sonoita's foot-of-the-mountain location, the soils are a mixture of igneous rock types, which have made their way downhill over the millennia, and sedimentary types, which have been deposited in alluvial fans. Due to high deposition rates, the Sonoita soils are deep and rich in minerals but are also highly porous. The fast drainage efficiency which results from this porosity creates good conditions for quality viticulture; waterlogged or slow-draining soils not only pose the risk of 'wet feet', but also remove the incentive for vines to create strong root systems.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc grapes are all grown in Sonita, with the success of the latter two, in particular, standing as testament to the altitude-moderated climate.
