South Valley corresponds geographically to the San Joaquin Valley in the southern Central Valley. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are foggy and rainy. Temperatures there have risen over the past 70 years. Growers produce grapes for raisins, table grapes, wine and juice concentrate. The appellations are Madera, Antelope Valley of the California High Desert, Tehachapi Mountains, Squaw Valley-Miramonte, Paulsell Valley, Diablo Grande and Salado Creek.
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Elsewhere in California · Sierra & Central Valley
- Lodi & North Valley7 producersLodi & North Valley includes Lodi, Capay Valley, Clarksburg and several nested Lodi appellations. Soil is an important feature here, from Mokelumne River's deep sandy loam to Jahant's pinkish Rocklin-Jahant loam.
- Sierra FoothillsNo producers listed yetSierra Foothills extends east from the Central Valley toward the Sierra Nevada. It is a hot inland area with cool nights and vineyards as high as 3,500 feet. Red grapes lead, with Zinfandel accounting for about half of production.