USA - Central Coast Flashcards
Where is the Central Coast located? What’s the size and general factors defining climate?
AVA Parallels the Pacific coastline and extends 450km from San Francisco to Santa Barbara. It extends 95km in from the coast and is cooled by marine air funnelling in through gaps in the coastal hills.
It includes multiple counties, each of which have their own AVAs.
What natural factors influence climate?
the Southern Coast Ranges (mountains) including the Santa Cruz, Gabilan and Santa Lucia ranged run N to S, sheltering vineyards in the E from the cool wet fog rolling off the pacific.
At certain points, and especially in Santa Barbara County’s Transverse Range, the orientation switches from E to W, funnelling the cool air inland.
Where is Livermore Valley AVA located? What’s the general climate, soils, varieties and styles?
The E side of San Francisco Bay in Alameda County.
Subject to afternoon breezes as hot air rises from the hot central valley and sucks in cool air from the Bay.
Stony soils are free-draining and help keep vigour low.
A wide range of varieties are grown, including Chard, Cab Sauv, Sauv B and Zinf. Concentrate, ripe flavours and tannins, but with fresh acidity.
When was Livermore Valley AVA established? Who by?
One of Californias oldest wine regions, with initial plantings in the 1760s by Spanish missionaries.
In the 1880s, Wente Vineyards was established with Chard cuttings from Meursault, and Concannon with Cab Sauv cuttings from Meursault.
These are some of the oldest established wine regions still operating, operating even during prohibition making sacramental wine.
Where can you trace back most of the modern day Chard and Cab Sauv clones?
80% of Cali Cab Sauv (clones 7, 8 and 11) and Chard (Wente clone) are generally traced back to the first cuttings planted in Livermore Valley AVA.
Where is Santa Cruz Mountains AVA located? What factors influence climate?
Part of the Coast Range that runs down the northern and central California coast. It includes 3 counties; Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Mateo.
Vineyards are planted at high altitudes (up to 800m) along a ridgeline, providing a moderating influence on day time temps.
At night, cool air slips down and warm air rises, keeping night time temperatures warm and avoiding frost.
What are the key varieties and styles of Santa Cruz Mountains AVA? Significant P?
Cab Sauv, Chard and PN are most planted. On the E side, bordering Silicon Valley, conditions are warmer and Zinf does well, as does Cab Sauv and Merlot.
Good to outstanding and mid to super premium.
Ridge and Mount Eden.
Where are vineyard found within Monterey County?
Based within the large Salinas Valley that runs from Monterey Bay in the NW to the border with San Luis Obispo County in the S, or the mountain ranges either side of the county.
Where is Monterey AVA located? Whats the size and climate?
Stretching 130km its the largest AVA in Monterey County. The majority of the AVA follows the Salinas River Valley, moderated by cool marine air funnelled by from Monterey Bay.
The Salinas Valley opens onto Monterey Bay which, due to a deep canyon in the Bay, the water is particularly cold, meanings afternoons and evenings in the Salinas Valley can be especially cool and windy.
Which varieties are grown where in Monterey AVA?
The coolest areas towards the N are planted with Pinot Noir and Riesling, and the warmer sites inland are able to ripen Cab Sauv, Merlot, Syrah and Zinf.
Chardonnay is grown in cooler and warmer sites, and is the key variety accounting for 50% of plantings.
What are the soil types and water availability of Monterey AVA? How does this influence style?
Sandy loam and gravel; free draining.
Low season rainfall means irrigation is essential, the water being sourced from the Salinas River.
Availability of irrigation and mechanisation on the valley floor means a lot of the grapes go into high-volume wines, either exclusively from Monterey or cross regional blends.
Where is the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA located? What’s the general climate?
A 30km long area of SE facing alluvial terraces overlooking the Salinas Valley.
Vineyards are planted up to 350m, located relatively near to Monterey Bay, meaning the vineyards are exposed to fogs and winds.
Elevated locations take full advantage of warm morning before they blow in. Sometimes it can be so windy it causes the vines stomata to close, slowing ripening.
What are the key varieties of Santa Lucia Highlands AVA? Their style?
Chard and PN, with Syrah in sheltered sites. All producing fresh wines with high acidities.
Where is Arroyo Seco AVA located? Climate and varieties?
Named after ‘dry creek’ on which it sits. SE of the Santa Lucia mountains.
Starts in the Arroyo Seco Canyon, a narrow gorge at the foot of the Santa Lucia mountains, then opens out onto the Salinas Valley Floor.
Vineyards within the canyon are more sheltered from coastal, therefore warmer and ripen Cab Sauv, Syrah and Zinf.
Valley floor exposed to ocean: Chard and Riesling
Where is Chalone AVA located? Climate and varieties?
E part of Monterey in the Gabilan Mountain Range. Vineyards are planted at 550m so above the fog line. Days are warm, with long hours of sunshine, but night time temps are cool, helping to retain acidity.
Soils are granite and limestone, and are free-draining helping to produce low yields of concentrated grapes. The AVA is best known for Chard and PN but grows a range of varieties including Chenin, Pinot Blanc and Syrah.
Where is the Carmel Valley AVA? Climate, varieties?
Mainly within the Carmel Valley, a small valley parallel to Salinas Valley, and the Canchagua Valley, which is further inland.
Vineyards within Canchagua can be up to 670m, above the fog line. Depending on aspect they receive varying degree of coastal influence, and sheltered ones can be warmest areas of Monterey.
Altitude and being surrounded by mountains mean night time temps are still cool.
In this area, Cab Sauv and Merlot.
Nearer the coast, in the cooler sites of Carmel Valley, PN and Chard
Where is San Luis Obispo located? What are the main AVAs?
Between Monterey County and Santa Barbara County along the Pacific Coast.
Paso Robles, Edna Valley & Arroyo Grande
What is the history of the division of Paso Robles AVAs? Which is the most important, and what implications does it have on labelling?
Until 2014, it was the largest undivided AVA in California at almost 250,000 ha, 3x Napa.
The area now has 11 AVAs, which reflect distinctive features of the growing environment and are less based on political boundaries compared to other Cali AVAs.
Adelaide District AVA, located in the Santa Lucia mountains in the NW of Paso Robles AVA is the best known.
Wines may be labelled with the sub AVA but also state ‘Paso Robles’.
What is the range of climate in Paso Robles AVA?
As it ranges from valley floors, to rolling hills, to mountains up to an altitude of 670 m, there’s a very wide range of climates.
The E areas tend to be warmer that produce full bodied, highly concentrated wines with ripe fruit flavours, whereas the W areas, closer to the Pacific are generally cooler, and can produce wines with higher acidity and fresher fruit.
The Templeton Gap is a low lying part of the coastal range, and allows the Pacific Ocean’s air to reach inland and provide a moderating influence.
What soil types are found in Paso Robles?
Calcareous soils (not found much throughout Cali) feature heavily throughout the area, and in areas where clay is found (good water retention) and annual rainfall is moderate, producers can dry farm.
What is the division of plantings in Paso Robles? Profile and P?
Black varieties make up the sheer majority. Cab Sauv accounts for 40%. Merlot Syrah and Zinf are also common.
The area has become known for a wide range of black and white Rhone varieties.
Inex to mid and good, though some p make very good to outstanding at mid to premium.
Tablas Creek and Saxum Vineyards.
Where does Edna Valley lie? Climate and varieties?
About 8km from the Pacific, it’s known for being one of the coolest AVAs in Cali. San Luis Obispo County
The valley lies NW to SE and receives cool fog and wind from Morro Bay to the N.
Most well known for PN and Chard (also for spk) it also plants Syrah, Sauv B, Albarino and Viognier.
Where does Arroyo Grande lie? Climate and varieties?
S of Edna Valley. San Luis Obispo County.
Also considered one of the cooler areas of Cali.
Days are warm and sunny, but the valley lies NW to SE which funnels cool Pacific air to cool temperatures at night, helping slow the ripening process.
PN and Chard dominate (still and spk), with some Syrah and Zinf planted, usually inland where it’s warmer.
Where is Santa Barbara County located? Which key AVAs does it encompass?
The most southern part of the Central Coast AVA.
Its 6 AVAs include Santa Maria Valley and Santa Ynez Valleys, which include 4 sub-AVAs: Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara.
