Borden Ranch is a designated wine appellation (also known as an American Viticultural Area, or AVA) located in Sacramento County and San Joaquin County, California, within the larger Central Valley wine region. It spans over 70,000 acres in the region's Highlands and was officially designated as an AVA in 2006.
The Borden Ranch region is characterized by its rolling hills, elevation levels of between 73 and 217 meters, and distinctive reddish, clay-based soil known as Redding clay loam. This soil is extremely hard and rocky, which forces vines to struggle and therefore typically produces grapes of a more intense flavor and character.
It experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, which is conducive to growing a wide variety of grape types, including Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay.
Most of the vineyards in the Borden Ranch are family-owned and operated, with a focus on sustainable farming practices. The region is known for producing wines that express a strong sense of terroir, the unique combination of soil, climate, and farming techniques that influence the flavor and character of the wine.
