Zacatecas

DESCRIPTION

Zacatecas is a historic mining region located in the central plateau of Mexico. It is bordered to the north by Coahuila and to the south by Jalisco, Aguascalientes and Guanajuato. The Sierra Madre Occidental is the main mountain range that crosses the state.

Nº of hectares under vine: 110 - Altitude: 2,300 m (8,000 ft)

PREDOMINANT VARIETIES

Reds: merlot, malbec, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, nebbiolo and cabernet franc.

Whites: chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and viognier.

CLIMATE AND SOILS

The climate is mild temperate, with rainfall mainly in summer (350 mm per year). Temperatures are generally moderate throughout the year with an average of 15°C (59°F). During grape ripening, the days are relatively warm (28 to 30°C), with cool nights (10 to 15°C) and a wide temperature range between day and night (12 to 15°C). The vineyard is located in the central part of Mexico, in the Arcinas Valley, 25 km south of the city of Zacatecas, in the highlands of Zacatecas, an area belonging to the Mexican semi-desert. Zacatecas has typical semi-desert soils: sandy-clay, slightly alkaline, with low organic matter and medium depth.

PRODUCING ZONES

The main producing areas are in the south, in Ojocaliente and in the Macarena Valley.