Central Coast/Central Valley CA Flashcards
Central Coast
All land from SF to LA, inland nearly to Central Valley. Includes counties, of Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara
North Central Coast
Alameda (Livermore Valley), Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey
South Central Coast
San Luis Obispo (Paso Robles), Santa Barbara (Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley)
Central Valley
San Joaquin (Lodi)
Alameda (Livermore Valley) AVA
Warm, behind hills, screening out fog. Cool passage of warm marine air. Graves climate, stonier-than-graves soil. Zin, Petit Sirah, Chard, CS. Better for SB/Semillon
Santa Clara Valley (Silicon Valley) AVA
20 small wineries for tourist reasons. Mirassou owned by Gallo.
Santa Cruz Mountains AVA
Diverse climates/soils. Cooler, high altitude. PN, RS, Zin, CS. Ridge, Bonny Doon, Mount Eden Vineyards
Monterey AVA
Blanket AVA; Arroyo Seco, Carmel Valley, San Lucas, Hames Valley, San Antonio Valley, Chalone, Santa Lucia Highlands, San Bernabe. Rainfall low, irrigation required
Largest contiguous vineyard in the world
San Bernabe’s 13,000 acres owned by Delicato
Arroyo Seco AVA
Chard, CS (less successful), RS (nectarines, off-dry to med-sweet)
Carmel Valley AVA
Only seaward facing AVA in Monterey. Bernardus (top quality), Talbott Vineyards, Diamond T
Chalone AVA
Chard, PB, PN. Above the fog, crystal laden, calcareous soils. Chalone Winery
Santa Lucia Highlands AVA
Monterey’s best. Terraced vineyards at 1,200 ft. Chard, PN, Syrah. Paraiso Vineyards, Hahn Estates, Sleepy Hollow Vineyard
San Luis Obispo AVAs
Arroyo Grande, Edna Valley, York Mountain, Paso Robles
Arroyo Grande AVA
One of coolest area’s of CA. 100 yr old Zin, Chard, PN
Edna Valley AVA
Edna Valley Vineyards. Chard, Syrah, Grenache, Viognier. Some PN. Long, cool, season. Fungal disease an issue
York Mountain AVA
Tiny, single winery AVA
Paso Robles AVA
666,000 acres. Inland plain where headwaters of Salinas River congregate
Paso Robles AVA varieties
CS (39%), Syrah, SB, CH, Zin. Also Petit Sirah, CF, Grenache, Mourvèdre, PV, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc
Paso Robles AVA producers
J. Lohr. Tablas Creek (Ch de Beaucastel)
Santa Barbara AVAs
Ballard Canyon, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Sant Ynez Valley
Santa Barbara climate
Low rainfall, semi-tropical, extremely cool and foggy
Santa Maria Valley AVA
PN/CH. Byron, Qupé, ABC. Kendall-Jackson (Tepusquet Vineyard). Bien Nacido Vineyard (owned by Miller family)
Santa Ynez Valley AVA climate
Fog, elevation, maritime influence. Wind big hazard. Cool, foggy in east/west, warmer in sheltered areas of the north by elevation and hills
Santa Ynez Valley AVA varieties
PN, CH, RS, Syrah. Warm zones Syrah, Grenache, SB, CS
Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Distinct climate. Sanford, Sea Smoke, Brewer-Clifton, Longoria
Ballard Canyon/Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVAs
Warmer. SB, CF, Merlot, Syrah, CS. Firestone Vineyards, Beckman Vineyards
Central Valley AVA
Sacramento Valley (N), San Joaquin Valley (S, table grapes, raisins, bulk wine)
Lodi AVA
Cooler than N/S Central Valley, warmer than Clarksburg. Zin (12,000 acres), fleshy, plummy, ripe, good value. Viognier. 7 sub-AVAs.
Clarksburg AVA
Only CB distinguishes itself
Mexico
Mediterranean. Low yields, sandy soils (no phylloxera). Zin, Petit Sirah, Colombard. L.A. Cetto
