Wine - California - Central Coast (South) - Appellations

Front 1

Discuss the Arroyo Grande Valley AVA.

Back 1

(p498)
Arroyo Grande Valley AVA
(San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast South)

An area of some 67 square miles (173 square kilometers) some 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of the town of San Luis Obispo, the Arroyo Grande Valley enjoys a Region I to II climate, thanks primarily to its proximity to the ocean and the frequent fog produced by marine air in the mornings and evenings. Planted at an altitude of between 300 and 1,000 feet (90 and 300 meters), vines grow at much higher altitudes than those in the neighboring Edna Valley AVA, and also receive slightly more rain. The hillsides cultivated range from moderate to very steep slopes, with deep, well-drained, sandy-clay and silty-clay loam soils. With a 30°F drop in nighttime temperatures, relatively high acidity levels are maintained throughout ripening. The potential for sparkling wine is considerable, so it is perhaps not surprising that Maison Deutz is the best-known winery here, with the largest vineyards in the appellation. Deutz has also produced some still Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and although rather strange, disjointed, and hardly indicative of any potential for such wines, Au Bon Climat has had stunning success with these varieties.

Front 2

Discuss the Edna Valley AVA.
What is the climate like?
What is the soil like?

Back 2

(p498)
Edna Valley AVA
(San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast South)

This elongated valley is located just south of Paso Robles, and is well defined by the Santa Lucia Mountains to the northeast, the San Luis Range to the southwest, and a low hilly complex to the southeast. In the northwest, the Edna Valley merges with the Los Osos Valley, forming what is, in effect, a wide-mouthed funnel that sucks in ocean air from Morro Bay. This marine air flows unobstructed into the valley, where it is captured by the pocket of mountains and hills, providing a moderate summer climate that differentiates it from surrounding areas. The vines grow on the valley floor, rising to 600 feet (120 meters) in the Santa Lucia Mountains, on soils that are mostly sandy-clay loam, clay loam, and clay.

Front 3

Discuss the Paso Robles AVA.
How long have grapes been grown here?
What is the climate like?
What grape varieties are most favorable?

Back 3

(p498)
Paso Robles AVA
(San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast South)

This area was given its name in the 18th century, when travelers passed through it on their way from the San Miguel to the San Luis Obispo missions. It is one of California's oldest winegrowing regions: grapes have been harvested in this area of rolling hills and valley since c.1797. There is no penetration by coastal winds or marine fog and, consequently, there is the equivalent of an additional 500 to 1,000 degree-days here compared to viticultural areas to the west and east. This obviously has a considerable effect on grape-ripening patterns making Paso Robles red-wine country, particularly for Zinfandel and Rhône varieties.

Front 4

Discuss the San Luis Obispo AO.

Back 4

(p498)
San Luis Obispo AO
(Central Coast South)

An appellation covering grapes grown anywhere within the entire county of San Luis Obispo.

Front 5

Discuss the Santa Barbara AO.

Back 5

(p498)
Santa Barbara AO
(Central Coast South)

An appellation covering grapes grown anywhere within the entire county of Santa Barbara.

Front 6

Discuss the Santa Maria Valley AVA.
What is the climate like?
What is the soil like?
What is the best variety?
What is the best vineyard for this variety?
What other top-quality varieties are grown?

Back 6

(p498)
Santa Maria Valley AVA
(Santa Barbara County, Central Coast South)

The Pacific winds blow along this funnel-shaped valley, causing cooler summers and winters and warmer falls than in the surrounding areas. The terrain climbs from 200 to 800 feet (60 to 240 meters), with most of the vineyards concentrated at 300 feet (90 meters). The soil is sandy and clay loam, and is free from the adverse effects of salts. This is top-quality Pinot Noir country and Bien Nacido (to which many winemakers have access) in the Tepesquet Bench area is far and away its best vineyard. Noises about Bien Nacido in the 1990s are reminiscent of the fuss made a decade earlier about the Sanford & Benedict vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. The Santa Maria Valley also grows top-quality Chardonnay and even one of California's best Syrahs.

Front 7

Discuss the Santa Rita Hills AVA.
What varieties is it primarily planted with?

Back 7

(p498)
Santa Rita Hills AVA
(Santa Barbara County, Central Coast South)

This appellation is located almost entirely within the preexisting Santa Ynez Valley AVA and includes all the latter's coolest areas. The Santa Rita Hills is primarily planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, although Syrah and Riesling are on the increase.

Front 8

Discuss the Santa Ynez Valley AVA.
What is the climate like?
What is the soil like?
What are the best varieties?

Back 8

(p498)
Santa Ynez Valley AVA
(Santa Barbara County, Central Coast South)

The Santa Ynez Valley is bounded by mountains to the north and south, by Lake Cachuma to the east, and by a series of low hills to the west. The valley's close proximity to the ocean serves to moderate the weather with maritime fog, and this tends to lower the temperatures. The Santa Rita Hills block penetration of the coldest of the sea winds, however, so the middle and eastern end of the valley do not have the coolest of coastal climates (2,680 degree-days), while Lompoc, which is just 2 miles (3 kilometers) outside the appellation's western boundary, has just 1,970 degree days. The vineyards are located at an altitude of between 200 and 400 feet (60 and 120 metres) in the foothills of the San Rafael Mountains, and the vines are grown on soils that are mostly well drained, sandy, silty, clay, and shale loam. Santa Barbara's finest Pinot Noir wines come from the Sanford & Benedict vineyard (to which a number of winemakers have access) in the west, yet just a few miles farther up the valley it is Cabernet and Zinfandel country. The Santa Ynez Valley also grows top-quality Chardonnay.

Front 9

Discuss the York Mountain AVA.

Back 9

(p498)
York Mountain AVA
(San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast South)

This small appellation is just 7 miles (11 kilometers) from the sea, situated at an altitude of 1,500 feet (450 meters) in the Santa Lucia Mountains, close to the western border of Paso Robles. Its Region I climatic classification, and 45 inches (114 centimeters) of rain per year, set it apart from the warmer, and considerably drier, surrounding areas.

Front 10

What are the AVAs of the Central Coast (South) of California?

Back 10

(p498)
Central Coast (South):

Santa Maria Valley AVA (1981)
Edna Valley AVA (1982)
Paso Robles AVA (1983)
Santa Ynez Valley AVA (1983)
(York Mountain AVA (1983))
(Arroyo Grande Valley AVA (1990))
(Santa Rita Hills AVA (2001))
(Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA (2009))