Diablo Grande is one of California's smallest and most remote AVAs. It is located in the west of Stanislaus County, about 30 miles (48km) east of San Jose, within the larger Central Valley wine region of California. Its immediate neighbor to the east is Salado Creek, another lesser-known AVA of the Central Valley.
The name Diablo Grande ('big devil') is derived from Mount Diablo, a mountain and landmark in Contra Costa County. Mount Diablo is one of many peaks in the Pacific Coast Ranges, and offers sweeping views of the Bay Area from its summit 3964ft (1178m) above sea level.
© Wikimedia/Justin
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (the government agency responsible for alcohol legislation in the United States) granted the region formal AVA status in August 1998. Unusually, the entire 30,000 acres (12,140ha) of this AVA are owned by a private golf club and residential community: the Diablo Grande Resort. The resort is home to the internationally famous Ranch and Legends West golf courses, designed by golf legend Jack Niklaus. Niklaus is also behind the Jack Niklaus wine range, although the wines are made from Napa Valley grapes and vinted by Terlato Family Vineyards.
A complex of luxury houses and a 36-hole golf course overlook the AVA's vineyards, which are planted on the San Joaquin Valley's western slopes at altitudes of 1000–1800ft (300–550m) above sea level. This elevation brings cool air and freshening breezes to the Diablo Grande vineyards, moderating the effects of the hot central Californian summer days and lessening the risk of damage from vine disease.
Wines from the Diablo Grande AVA are made from such international wine-grape varieties as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Syrah, Barbera, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are very few active wineries within the AVA's boundaries, so wines made by the Diablo Grande Vineyards are vinted by Isom Ranch Winery.
At present wines from this AVA are sporadically produced, and very few (if any) make it onto the international market. They are mostly bought and consumed by the local population.
