Salado Creek is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) on the western edge of California's Central Valley. The AVA was delimited as such in 2004, and now mostly consists of small grape growers, with the region's wines being made at contract wineries under a handful of labels. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier are the main grape varieties grown in Salado Creek.
The Salado Creek AVA is located in northern Stanislaus County, south-west of the town of Patterson. The Diablo Mountains to the west separate Salado Creek from Santa Clara Valley (along with the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean), and the San Joaquin River flows through the Central Valley just east of the AVA. Salado Creek itself is a river that runs from the Diablo Mountains to the San Joaquin River, giving rise to the name of the AVA.
The terroir of Salado Creek is heavily influenced by the eponymous river, and the vineyards are planted around this and the Little Salado River at the base of the Diablo range. The river slows considerably when it reaches the flatter ground on the valley floor. This causes it to deposit heavier, coarser alluvial material at the base of the hills, forming an alluvial fan. The deep, well-drained soil here is known as the Ensalado series and is unique to this part of California.
Salado Creek is a part of the hot, reasonably dry thermal belt of the Central Valley, but receives some cooling influences from the Sacramento Delta, 40 miles (65km) to the north. These breezes help to extend the growing season by slowing ripening, but the wines of Salado Creek are generally riper, with more stewed fruit flavors than the brighter styles of wine found in more-coastal parts of California.
