California Central Coast Flashcards
Central Coast AVA
Runs for 280 miles along the Pacific Coast from SF to Santa Barbara. Extends 60 miles inland and is cooled by marine air funneling through gaps in the coastal hills.
Includes multiple counties with many AVA’s.
Southern Coastal Ranges including Santa Cruz, Gabilan, and Santa Lucia ranges runs north to south sheltering vineyards to the east from cool wet fog.
In certain points, notably Santa Barbara’s Transverse Ranges, the orientation shifts to an east-west direction funneling cool marine air and cooling down the area.
Livermore Valley AVA
On the east side of SF bay in Alameda County.
Subject to afternoon winds as hot air rises from the inland Central Valley to its east sucking in cool air from SF Bay.
Stony soils are free draining and help keep vigor low.
Chard, Cab Sauv, Sauv Blanc, Zin. Concentrated ripe flavors with fresh acidity.
One of the oldest regions with initial plantings in the 1760’s by Spanish missionaries. In the 1880’s Wente Vineyards established using Chard cuttings from Meursault and Concannon founded with Cab Sauv cuttings from Margaux. Some of the oldest continually running wineries in the country (sacremental wine in prohibition). 80% of Cab Sauv (Clones 7, 8, 11) and Chard (Wente clone) are genetically related to these original cuttings.
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Santa Cruz mountains are part of the Coast Range. Includes three counties; Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Mateo.
Many vineyards at high altitudes (up to 800m) along a ridgeline for a moderating influence on day time temps. At night cool air comes down forcing warm air up. Nights are therefore relatively warm and frost avoided.
Cab Sauv, Chard, Pinot most planted. The eastern side, which borders Silicon Valley is warmer and better suited to Zin, Cab Sauv, Merlot. Good to outstanding and mid to super.
Ridge Vineyards and Mount Eden Vineyards.
Monterey County
Based in the Salinas Valley that runs from Monterey Bay in the north west of the county to the border of San Luis Obispo county in the south or in the mountain ranges either side of the valley.
Monterey AVA Santa Lucia Highlands Arroyo Seco Chalone Carmel Valley
Monterey AVA
80 miles long, largest in Monterey County
Majority follows the Salinas River Valley which is moderated by air funneled by Monterey Bay. Salinas Valley opens directly onto the bay in the north.
Due to a deep canyon in the bay the water is particularly cold so afternoons and evenings can be particularly cold and windy.
Coolest areas in the north are Pinot and Riesling. Warmer sites further inland can ripen Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah, Zin. Chard is the main grape at over 50% and can be grown in warm and cool sites.
Soils are sandy loam and gravel and free draining. Low rainfall means irrigation is essential. Water sourced from Salinas River. Availability of irrigation and ease of mechanization on the large flat valley floor means many grapes go into inexpensive or mid high vol wines, either from Monterey or cross regional blends.
Santa Lucia Highlands
18 mile long area of southeast facing alluvial terraces overlooking Salinas Valley.
Vineyards up to 350m. Near to Monterey Bay so exposed to wind and fog. Elevated locations take advantage of sunshine before afternoon breezes cool the vineyards.
Can be too windy and stomata close, slowing ripening.
Chard, Pinot, Syrah; fresh flavors and high acid.
Arroyo Seco
Named after the dry creek on which it sits. Located south east of Santa Lucia mountains.
Starts in the Arroyo seco canyon, a narrow gorge at the foot of the Santa Lucia mountains and opens onto the Salinas Valley floor.
Vineyards within the canyon are more sheltered from coastal influences and are therefore warmer with Cab Sauv, Syrah, Zin. Those on valley floor are more exposed to afternoon breezes and suited to Chard and Riesling.
Chalone
In the eastern part of Monterey in the Gabilan Mountain Range.
Vineyards at 550m and so above fog line. Days are warm with long sunshine but nights are much cooler to retain acidity.
Soils are granite and limestone and free draining for low yields of concentrated grapes.
Best known for Chard and Pinot but also Chenin, Pinot Blanc, Syrah
Carmel Valley
Vineyards are in the Carmel Valley (a small valley parallel to the Salinas Valley) and the Cachagua Valley which is further inland.
Vineyards in the Cachagua are up to 670m and above the fog line. Depending on the aspect, can be sheltered from coastal influences and some of the warmest in the county. But altitude means nights are still cool. Here it is Cab Sauv, Merlot.
Nearer the coast, the cooler sites in Carmel Valley are Pinot and Chard.
San Luis Obispo County
Between Monterey County and Santa Barbara County.
Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande
Paso Robles
250,000 ha and since 2014 divided into 11 sub AVA’s that reflect distinct growing environments (unlike most of CA which is political boundaries). Adelaide District AVA located in the Santa Lucia Mountains in the north west is best known. Wines may be labelled with the sub AVA but must also state Paso Robles.
Ranges from valley floors to rolling hills to mountains with altitudes up to 670m. Eastern part is warmer and produces full bodied, concentrated ripe wines. Western areas nearer the Pacific are cooler and produce higher acidity and fresher flavors. Templeton Gap on the west side is a low point in the Coastal Ranges and allows Pacific air to reach further inland for a moderating influence.
Calcareous soils are throughout the AVA. In areas of clay soils and moderate rainfall, dry farming is possible.
Black varieties are the vast majority. Cab Sauv is 40%; Merlot, Syrah, Zin also common. Also known for a wide range of black and white Rhone varieties.
Much makes inexpensive to mid of good quality. Number making very good to outstanding at mid to prem. Saxum Vineyards and Tablas Creek.
Edna Valley AVA
One of the coolest in CA
5 miles from the ocean. Runs northwest to southeast and receives cool fog and wind from Morro Bay to the north.
High quality Chard and Pinot (still and sparkling). Also Syrah, Sauv Blanc, Albarino, Viognier.
Arroyo Grande AVA
One of the cooler areas in the state. Days are warm and sunny. Runs northeast to southwest and funnels in cool Pacific fog and wind up into the valley from southwest.
This cools at night and retains acidity. Pinot and Chard dominate (still and sparkling) sone Zin and Syrah in the warmer inland.
Santa Barbara County
Most southerly of the Central Coast AVA.
Six sub AVA’s: Santa Maria and Santa Ynez with four sub AVA’s: Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara
Located in the Transverse Ranges; an east-west orientation of the Southern Coast Range. Western side of the valley faces the Pacific and funnels in cool breezes and fog eastward and lowering temps significantly. The western sides of the AVA’s are usually cooler and windier than the eastern side. Air circulation helps reduce risk of frost and fungal disease so grapes can be kept on vine till the autumn which is sometimes needed in coolest sites.
Chard and Pinot most common in cooler areas. Pinots show med plus to high acid, med to med plus body, med tannin and cherry and plum. Alcohol can be high. Chard med plus to high acid, med to med plus body and lemon, grapefruit and peach.
Syrah in warmer sites and med to med plus body, med plus acid and tannin and fresh blackberry and plum. Also Sauv Blanc, Cab Sauv, and Grenache and Viognier. Good to outstanding and mid to super. Mail Road Wines and Sine Qua Non
Legislations prevents SB County wineries from having cellar doors on the site of the winery. Must be in a town or city.
Santa Maria AVA
Northern part of the county.
Valley runs east to west, funneling in cool Pacific air and keeping temps cool.
Planted at 100 - 250m on hillside slopes on sandy clay shale loam.
Pinot and Chard most followed by Syrah and Viognier.
