California Central Coast Flashcards
Central Coast Main AVAs
Santa Cruz Mountains AVAMonterey AVASanta Barbara AVAPaso Robles AVA
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA overview
-mostly hillsides / infertile soils-elegant Cabernet Sauvignons + HQ Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs-Ridge Monte Bello here
Monterey AVA Grapes
White-ChardonnayRed-Pinot Noir-Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot-Zinfandel
Monterey Sub AVAs
-Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
-Santa Lucia Highlands AVA overview
-great Pinot Noirs-Gary’s Vineyard located here
Mount Harlan AVA
-San Benito County-in the Gabilan Mountains-Calera produces good Pinot Noir
Chalone AVA
-San Benito/Monterey Counties-Producer Chalone here
Paso Robles AVA climate
-generally very warm with hot days/cool nights-blocked by ocean influence to west but “Templeton gap“ allows cool air to funnel-east = sunny/hot, deep fertile soils-west = marine air cools, high quality
Paso Robles Grapes
Red-Cabernet-Rhones [Grenache, Syrah]-ZinfandelWhite-Chardonnay
Paso Robles Sub AVAs
-11 created in 2014 -eg Templeton Gap AVA
Edna Valley AVA
-Pinot Noir + Chardonnay-in SLO
Santa Barbara County AVA climate
-maritime w dramatic change from cool/wet/windy coasts to warm dry inland
SB County Grapes
White-Chardonnay-Sauvignon BlancRed-Pinot Noir-Rhones (Grenache, Syrah)-Bordeaux varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot)
SB County sub AVAs
-Santa Maria Valley AVA-Santa Ynez Valley AVA -Ballard Canyon AVA-Sta Rita Hills AVA-Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
Santa Maria Valley AVA
-much cooler, premium Pinot Noir + Chardonnays-fog in low lying areas = slow ripening / concentrated fruit / high acidity -Bien Nacido vineyard
