Mesilla Valley is a designated American Viticultural Area (AVA) covering land along the Rio Grande river in both New Mexico and western Texas. Although viticulture began here in the mid-17th century and the AVA was established in 1985, there are currently less than 50 acres (20ha) of wine-grape vines in the Mesilla Valley. As a result, wines produced here are rarely seen outside Texas and New Mexico. Most are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Zinfandel.
The AVA covers approximately 280,000 acres (113,500ha) in the hot desert surrounding the river. The increased altitude of the wider Mesilla area (peaking at 4300ft/1300m above sea level) is visually compounded by the presence of the Organ Mountains of southern New Mexico and the Rio Grande, which flows through the valley before forming the border between Texas and Mexico.
For more-detailed information about this AVA, see Mesilla Valley – New Mexico.
