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Located in the northern Central Coast region of California and bordering the Pacific Ocean, Monterey County has proven to be a superb growing region. The county begins 100 miles south of San Francisco and extends to 30 miles north of Paso Robles.
Monterey County Overview
Located in the northern Central Coast region of California and bordering the Pacific Ocean, Monterey County has proven to be a superb growing region. The county begins 100 miles south of San Francisco and extends to 30 miles north of Paso Robles. Monterey County’s wine region is bound by the Monterey Bay, as well as the Coastal mountain range, and extends into the Carmel and Salinas Valleys. Monterey Wine Country encompasses eight certified growing regions or American Viticultural Areas (AVA). The potential of Monterey County as a wine producing area was not realized until the early 1960's. During this time, a study conducted by the University of California at Davis ranked Monterey County among the top areas in the world for growing premium varietal wine grapes. As a result, the area's acreage grew substantially. Currently the county's wine industry boasts over 45,000 planted acres of wine grapes which makes Monterey County one of the largest premium grape growing regions in North America. The areas various microclimates allow for over 40 different grape varieties to find their niche here. Grapes here, on average, enjoy an extra 45 to 60 days of developing on the vine every year when compared to other northern viticultural areas. Monterey
Though often confused as an appellation that encompasses the entire Monterey County, the Monterey AVA is the largest in the County. This AVA covers the range of the valley below the 1000 foot elevation (above 1000 feet are the Chalone and Carmel Valley appellations). This area enjoys differing microclimates, allowing for a diverse selection of wine grape varieties to flourish. The differing microclimates are due in part to the varying proximity of the growing areas to the cooling effects of the Monterey Bay. Monterey County's long growing season supplies the white wines with rich tropical fruit characteristics and red wines with bright colors and a smooth style. Over half of this region is planted with Chardonnay, while Reisling, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon also do well here. Carmel Valley
Commercial grape growing began in 1968 with 40 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the Cachagua (an Indian word meaning Hidden Springs) region of Carmel Valley. Beginning at the Carmel Valley Village, this AVA continues south to Cachagua. It sits high in elevation, keeping above the fog, and receives heavy winter rains, but the gravely terraces are well drained. It is quite warm by day with little wind, but cool at night. Its close proximity to the ocean cools the vineyards at nightfall. Over 70% of the planted acres in Carmel Valley are allocated to red Bordeaux varieties. Santa Lucia Highlands
One of the best areas in California for cool climate varietals, this benchland runs along the west side of the Salinas Valley above the valley floor, between the City of Gonzales and the Arroyo Seco canyon. Steep and hilly, the naturally lean soils make for low yields and distinct characteristics. A fault line divides the valley floor and the Santa Lucia Highlands. Its southeast facing slopes allow the highlands to take advantage of the morning sun. Sitting above the valley fog that shrouds the Salinas Valley each morning during the summer, cool afternoons characterize the area. This climatic combination results in an especially long growing season, which allows the grapes to fully develop and attain maximum varietal potential. Nearly half of the 2,300 planted acres is Chardonnay. The other half is comprised of equal amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and white Riesling, which are all well known for their intensity of true varietal character.
Arroyo Seco First planted in 1962, this area covers the mouth of the Arroyo Seco River and extends from a narrow steep canyon which opens to the western edge of the Salinas Valley floor. Loamy sand and gravelly soils of the Elder series allow good drainage and are underlain by Greenfield Potatoes, cobblestones that resemble potatoes and which absorb heat during the day and radiate their heat after sunset. The underlying stone effectively limits root growth to the top three to five feet of soil, harmoniously balancing the fruit and shoot growth. Warmer than the highlands but, with shorter days due to foggy mornings, this area grows very rich Chardonnay that is well-know for strong tropical-fruit characteristics. Bordeaux varieties do well tucked into the Arroyo Seco river bed, as the valley floor is relatively cooler and the grapes are protected from the afternoon winds. Chalone
First planted in 1919, the region has the oldest producing vines in the county. High in the remote Gavilan Mountain Range near the Pinnacles National Monument, this AVA is synonymous with the winery and vineyard that established the appellation. Situated 1,800 feet above the Salinas Valley, this appellation has a distinctive high altitude coastal climate, limited rainfall, and a rare soil structure that is rich in limestone, clay and decomposed granite. Due to the elevation, hot days and cool nights are typical with daily temperatures that can vary by as much as 45 degrees. The unique terroir enables this area's grapes to produce high quality Burgundian style wines and is home to 200 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. San Lucas
San Lucas is one of the most consistent and varied growing areas for premium wine grapes in California. It is located in the southern end of the Salinas Valley, situated between King City and San Ardo. This land was utilized for cattle grazing for over 150 years before vineyards were established in 1970. This AVA is made up of alluvial fans and terraces with an elevation ranging from 500 to 1,200 feet. The soil is a combination of diatomaceous shale and varying sizes of sand stone, which makes for good drainage. The coastal fog does not always reach this area resulting in warm days and cool nights, often with temperature swings up to 60 degrees. This climate lengthens the growing season which leads to high yields with full sugars and balanced acids. The 8,000 acres of vineyards are now comprised of almost equal amounts of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grow soft and silky, while Chardonnay is rich and buttery. The wines from this area possess brilliant colors, abundant varietal flavors and distinct fruit aromas. Hames Valley
In the eastern foothills of the Santa Lucia range just north of Paso Robles, this elevation of this region is 500 to 800 feet. The rolling terrain is dotted with California Oak trees, which protect the vines from the Salinas Valley winds, yet the valley receives substantial evening cooling from the Monterey Bay. The days are much warmer than the majority of Monterey County's northern wine growing appellations and receives and average of 11 inches of rainfall a year. The sparse gravelly sandy loam soil is chalky in character, and coupled with the unique climatic characteristics, impart intense flavors, outstanding balance and brilliant colors to the dominant varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. San Bernabe
San Bernabe is the largest continuous and most diverse single-vineyard property in the world. The vineyard property encompasses nearly 13,000 acres, of which 5,500 are currently planted to 20 varieties. The planted acreage is divided into more than 130 distinct blocks. Each block is farmed separately with the goal of maximizing quality. Within the San Bernabe Vineyard is the Delicato-Monterey Winery, which serves many winery customers by providing juicing, winemaking, wine and barrel storage and other custom services. San Bernabe has received international acclaim for Merlot and Syrah, with floral and Rhone varieties as prime components in their highly rated wines.
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