The region is located from Santa Fe to the bosque of the Rio Grande, centering around the Albuquerque metropolitan area.

The AVA encompasses 278,400 acres (112,664 ha) of land in a narrow strip along the Rio Grande valley from Santa Fe to Belen, just south of Albuquerque.

The climate is semi-arid, with warm days and cool nights.

[4] A variety of Vitis vinifera and French hybrid grapes are grown.

New Mexico State University has conducted viticultural research in test vineyards in the Middle Rio Grande Valley at the Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center.