California - Central Coast

Question 1

Identify where Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara are on this map.

Answer 1

Question 2

Where would you describe the general area of California’s Central Coast to be?

Answer 2

Coastal counties south of the San Francisco Bay and north of the city of Santa Barbara.

Question 3

Where is Santa Lucia Highlands AVA on this map?

Answer 3

Question 4

Which of these three areas is the greater Paso Robles AVA?

Answer 4

Question 5

What are the 4 AVAs of Santa Barbara you need to know for the CMS 2 exam?

Answer 5

1. Sta. Rita Hills AVA
2. Santa Maria Valley AVA
3. Santa Ynez Valley AVA
4. Happy Canyon AVA

Question 6

Select the correct answer.

Which 2 AVAs are located within the Santa Ynez Valley AVA?

a. Santa Maria Valley AVA + Los Carneros AVA
b. Sta. Rita Hills AVA + Happy Canyon AVA
c. Paso Robles AVA + Sta. Rita Hills AVA

Answer 6

b. Sta. Rita Hills AVA + Happy Canyon AVA

Question 7

Select the correct answer.

Both Paso Robles AVA and Happy Canyon AVA have what kind of climate?

a. Cool
b. Hot
c. Warm

Answer 7

c. Warm

Paso Robles is warm continental with large diurnal shifts.

Question 8

Most of Monterey and Santa Barbara generally have this kind of climate.

Answer 8

Cool maritime

The closer to the coast, the cooler it is.

Question 9

Santa Lucia Highlands AVA and Sta. Rita Hills AVA are known to grow which 2 grape varieties?

Answer 9

1. Chardonnay
2. Pinot Noir

Both AVAs are cooler growing regions.

Question 10

Monterey has a mountain range that creates a cool wind tunnel.

In what direction does this mountain range run?

Answer 10

Northwest-to-southeast

Question 11

Fill in the blank.

Paso Robles is blocked by mountains to the _____ with only a small gap in the range.

Answer 11

West

Question 12

Santa Barbara has a mountain range that creates a cool wind tunnel and fog.

In what direction does this mountain range run?

Answer 12

East-to-west

Question 13

Is malolactic fermentation often employed or seldom employed when making Chardonnay in the Central Coast?

Answer 13

Often employed

Question 14

Is the use of new French and sometimes American oak barrels often extensive or seldom used for both red and white wines in California’s Central Coast?

Answer 14

Often extensive

Question 15

Which white grape variety are you more likely to find in Happy Canyon: Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc?

Answer 15

Sauvignon Blanc

Question 16

In which AVA are you more likely to find Zinfandel: Santa Ynez AVA or Sta. Rita Hills AVA?

Answer 16

Santa Ynez AVA

Question 17

Where are you more likely to find Syrah grown: Monterey or Santa Barbara?

Answer 17

Santa Barbara

Question 18

In which AVA are you more likely to find Cabernet Sauvignon: Paso Robles AVA or Santa Lucia Highlands AVA?

Answer 18

Paso Robles AVA

Question 19

Name an iconic and large Paso Robles wine producer.

Answer 19

Justin

Question 20

Name an iconic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producer in Santa Barbara County.

Answer 20

Au Bon Climat

Question 21

Name an iconic Sta. Rita Hills AVA wine producer.

Answer 21

Sea Smoke

Question 22

Name an iconic Santa Maria Valley AVA wine producer.

Answer 22

Zaca Mesa

Question 23

Name an iconic and large wine producer in Santa Lucia Highlands AVA.

Answer 23

Morgan

Question 24

Name the 11 sub-appellations of Paso Robles.

Which one is the furthest west, closest to the Pacific?

Answer 24

1. Adelaida District (furthest west)
2. San Miguel District
3. Paso Robles Estrella District
4. Paso Robles Geneseo District
5. El Pomar District
6. Templeton District
7. Paso Robles Willow Creek District
8. San Juan Creek
9. Paso Robles Highlands District
10. Creston District
11. Santa Margarita Ranch