The Cienega Valley AVA is located in San Benito County and juts into the Gabilan Mountains, beneath Mount Harlan. Vineyards line the valley floor and up to 1,100 feet into the surrounding ridges. The climate is moderated by the surrounding mountains that shield the region both from Central Valley heat and cold air from the Monterey Bay on the other side of the Gabilans.

The histroy of the area is dominated by Almaden, which purchased vineyards in the region in 1950 and ramped up raapidly from there. Almaden was sold to rival winemaker Heublein in 1987 and much of its Cienega assets were dismantled. The ruins of one company became the foundation for two more, as DeRose Vineyards and the Pietra Santa Winery moved in to produce wine in the Valley.

Old Almaden plots have been revived, including the 120-year-old Negrette vineyard, and new plantings of Italian varietals were introduced. The valley is bisected by the San Andreas Fault, and grapes benefit from the moderate climate in the 1,100-feet plus elevations.

Soils on the east side of the fault line are fragmented granite and crumbled sandstone, while on the west side they are mostly granite and limestone. The whole range of soils are suitable for viticulture, and it will be interesting to see how varietal distribution follows the soil variations in the development of this "old-new" winegrowing region. (Wine/Appellations)