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