Irrigation is required in almost all locations in Baja, due to the hot, sunny climate. In the center, where the mountains rise to more than 10,000ft (3000m), the climate is cooler and slightly wetter, which also supports a small number of wineries. To the east are the arid sands of the Sonora Desert, and viticulture is impractical. To the west is the Pacific coast, and the climate is semi-dry and Mediterranean. The reason for this is that the peninsula is split into two quite distinct climatic regions, with the Sierra de Baja California mountain range bisecting the land north-south. Vineyard growing conditionsĪll of the subregions are located in the state's coastal northwest. Of these the Valle de Guadalupe is the most prominent. The Guadalupe, Calafia, Santo Tomas, San Vicente and San Antonio de las Minas valleys are Baja California's main winegrowing areas. It serves as the start and end point for the increasingly popular Ruta del Vino (the tourist-focused Baja California wine tasting trail), and also accommodates the headquarters of several local wineries and distributors. The city of Ensenada is the focal point of the Baja California wine industry. White wines are made from grapes such as Colombard, Chenin Blanc, Semillon and the globally ubiquitous Chardonnay. Petite Sirah (Durif), Zinfandel, Nebbiolo and Tempranillo also feature. Grape varietiesĬabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are among the most common red grape varieties, though the portfolio is quite broad. The southern half is occupied by the administratively distinct Baja California Sur. It is located in the northern half of the Baja California Peninsula, the long, thin strip of land which juts out almost 775 miles (1250km) between the eastern Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California (aka The Sea of Cortez). Valle de Guadalupe and other subregions.
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