San Luis Obispo County wine

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San Luis Obispo County
Wine region
Tablas Creek vineyards.jpg
SLO County vineyard
Type U.S. County Appellation [1]
Years of wine industry220 [2]
CountryUnited States
Part of California, Central Coast AVA
Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA Monterey county, Santa Barbara county
Sub-regions Paso Robles AVA, Adelaida District AVA, Creston District, El Pomar District, Paso Robles Estrella District, Paso Robles Geneseo District, Paso Robles Highlands District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District, San Juan Creek AVA, Santa Margarita Ranch AVA, Templeton Gap District, York Mountain AVA, Edna Valley AVA, Arroyo Grande Valley AVA, San Luis Obispo (SLO) Coast AVA
Climate region Region I, II and III [3]
Soil conditionsVolcanic deposits mixed with sandy loam to clay rich [3]
Total area2,112,640 acres (3,301 sq mi) [4]
No. of vineyards78
Grapes produced Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Lagrein, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Riesling, Syrah, Tempranillo, Zinfandel [1]
Varietals producedover 40
No. of wineries250 [3]

San Luis Obispo (SLO) County wine is a appellation that designates wine made from grapes grown in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, California which is sandwiched between Santa Barbara County to the south and Monterey County at the northern boundary on the Pacific coast. Its location sits halfway between the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles on the north–south axis of U.S. Route 101 and Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). The county lies entirely within the Central Coast viticultural area. County names in the United States automatically qualify as legal appellations of origin for wine produced from grapes grown in that county and do not require registration with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the Treasury Department. [5] TTB was created in January 2003, when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, or ATF, was extensively reorganized under the provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. [6]

Contents

The term "SLO" is a historical and commonly used reference for the county and its county seat, San Luis Obispo, initials as well as a description of the region's relaxed culture. [7] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,301 square miles (2,113,000 acres) of which 3,299 square miles (2,111,000 acres) is land and 317 square miles (820 km2) (comprising 8.8%) is water. [4] [8] San Luis Obispo county is home to some of California's coolest winemaking areas similar to climatic influences as its northern counterparts, Napa and Sonoma counties. The proximity of the Pacific coastline to the viticultural areas of San Luis Obispo Coast (SLO) Coast, and at the county's southern end, Arroyo Grande Valley, influences their vineyards to the cool marine air.

The county is home to sixteen distinctive viticultural areas (AVA) including the spacious Paso Robles with its eleven sub-region AVAs, the diminutive neighbor, York Mountain and the elongated newcomer, San Luis Obispo (SLO) Coast.

SLO Viticultural Areas As of 2023

History

Despite conflicting accounts, the first recorded planting of a vineyard was probably by the Spanish Jesuit Missionary Eusebio Francisco Kino at Misión San Bruno in Baja California in 1683 implanting the first variety named "Misionéro." In 1779, Franciscan missionaries under the direction of the Spanish Father Junípero Serra planted California's first vineyard at Mission San Juan Capistrano. The mission's historical journals document that between May 1779 and 1781, the padres supervised six ‘campesinos’ from Baja California in planting 2,000 grapevines at the mission. These grapevines, Vitis vinifera, were originally transported by ship from Spain and later became known in the New World as Mission Grapes. The vines arrived in Mexico around the year 1540 and cuttings were planted throughout Mexico and spread north with Spanish explorers in the 1620s. Cuttings were later planted in 1769 at the site of the first mission founded in San Diego and dominated California wine production until about 1880. [28]

The first winery in Alta California was built at San Juan Capistrano in 1783; both red and white wines (sweet and dry), brandy, and a port-like wine called Angelica were all produced from the Mission grape. Father Serra founded eight other California missions, hence, he has been called the "Father of California Wine." [29] The county's historic landmark, "Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa" was founded September 1, 1772 by Father Serra in the current town of San Luis Obispo. The mission was named after Saint Louis of Anjou, the bishop of Toulouse, the namesake of the region and town. Father Serra sent an expedition down south from the capital of Alta California, Monterey, to build the San Luis Obispo mission. A cross was erected near San Luis Obispo Creek and Serra celebrated the first mass. Following the mass, Father Junípero Serra left the construction responsibilities to Father Jose Cavaller. [30] The California Missions were developed over three decades that included structure construction, crops, livestock, vineyards, and wineries. Each site gradually came to its peak during the 1830s and 1840s. In the 1830s the Franciscans produced as much as 50,000 gallons of wine a year at the San Gabriel Mission, the fourth of 21 missions founded in California in 1771. The San Gabriel Mission, built from 1791 to 1805 using brick, mortar, and cut stone, is the oldest structure of its kind south of Monterey. The Franciscans planted the first working vineyard in California. A large “mother vine” that was planted in 1861 has grown to notable size and length. It is the same variety as the original vines brought from Spain and still produces fruit. However, there are no records of a vineyard or winemaking in San Luis Obispo prior to 1820s when over one hundred barrels of wine a year are recorded for Mission San Luis Obispo. Its vineyard became the mission system's largest after the Mission San Gabriel. [31] [32]

The oldest recorded residence in San Luis Obispo County is the Dana Adobe in Nipomo which was originally built on a Mexican land grant of nearly 38,000 acres (15,000 ha) and presented in 1837 to William Goodwin Dana, originally from Boston, Massachusetts, who named it Rancho Nipomo. Captain Dana, married Maria Josefa Carrillo in 1829, the daughter of the original Governor of Alta California, Carlos Antonio Carrillo. By the 1840s, Dana established a large cattle ranch, built his home, and eventually raised 21 children. The ranch also had planted crops and vineyards. [32] From the 1860s to the 1890s, Pierre Hypolite Dallidet was renown as the first commercial winemaker and also became the first commercial distiller in San Luis Obispo County. His legend is one of adventure, service to his country, viticulture, and travels abroad, from his village in southwestern France to Tahiti to Hangtown and finally to San Luis Obispo. He pioneered commercial wine and brandy making, sourcing fruit from his own vineyards and orchards. He was famous for assisting the French government in saving the premium French grape varietals decimated by the Phylloxera epidemic that destroyed historic French vineyards in the 1870s. [33]

Terroir

Paso Robles Halter-Ranch-600x400.jpg
Paso Robles
York Mountain York Mountain Vineyard.jpg
York Mountain
Edna Valley Edna Valley AVA View from Wolff Vineyards.jpg
Edna Valley

San Luis Obispo county is hemmed-in close to the Pacific coastline by the Santa Lucia Range while over the hills lies the southern end of the Central Valley, which connects this area with northern California. At the county's northern border, its largest viticultural area, Paso Robles, encompasses 669,253 acres (1,046 sq mi) defined by rolling hills and valleys with an average elevation between 600 and 1,000 feet (183–305 m). The boundaries of the Paso Robles area are characterized by township and range lines, the county line, and straight lines from points of reference. These boundary descriptions are the most practical approximation of the ridge lines that enclose the viticultural area. The soils of the area are generally alluvial and terrace deposits, usually fertile and well-drained. The area is bounded on the west and south by the Santa Lucia mountain range whose crest averages between 2,300 and 2,850 feet (701–869 m). The Cholame Hills to the east crest at about the 3,000 feet (914 m) elevation. The Salinas River has its headwaters at Santa Margarita Lake just south of the boundary and flows northward through the area into the Salinas Valley located in Kings and Monterey counties. The Salinas River is the major drainage of the area, although it is also characterized by numerous creeks and streams. The area is protected from marine air intrusion and coastal fogs by the Santa Lucia Mountains on the west and south. This is a marked contrast to the York Mountain and SLO Coast viticultural areas to the west and south where coastal fogs are common with cooler temperatures in the summer months. The Paso Robles viticultural area is classified as Region III, with 3,001 to 3,500 degree days (GDD) of heat. This characterizes the area with a warmer climate by 500 to 1,000 degree days than the area to the west and south, and a cooler climate by 500 or more degree days than the area lying to the east. Rainfall within the area averages between 10 and 25 inches (250–640 mm) annually. However, rainfall is the highest on the crest of the Santa Lucia Mountain range in York Mountain with 50 inches (1,270 mm) annual precipitation with an average 4.24 inches (107.70 mm) during the growing season. Paso Robles growers generally augment rainfall by irrigation from wells and reservoirs. The area has a diurnal, beginning and ending of the day, temperature change of 40 to 50 °F (4–10 °C). This results from low to moderate humidity which is conducive to radiant cooling of the land surface. Regular afternoon winds disturb the local inversions, thereby promoting radiative cooling. The areas outside of Paso Robles viticultural area have a diurnal fluctuation of between 20 and 30 °F (−7 and −1 °C) caused by the flow of cool, moist marine air accompanied by fog intrusions. The area east of the area has a climate associated with the San Joaquin Valley, that is, less radiative cooling, more stable inversions, and higher evening temperatures. [11] [34]

On November 10, 2014, TTB issued the final rule in the Federal Register establishing eleven distinct appellations within the existing Paso Robles viticultural area. [13] [35] The county's western terrain, where SLO Coast AVA lies, is composed of coastal terraces, foothills, and small valleys along the Pacific Coast oriented on an east–west axis allowing the area to experience the fog and cool marine air. According to the SLO Coast petition, 97 percent of the area is at or below 1,800 feet (550 m) in elevation, which corresponds to the approximate limit of the influence of the maritime climate.

At the southern boundary of SLO Coast viticultural area and straddling the county's border is the Santa Maria Valley viticultural area of Santa Barbara County. Santa Maria Valley's flatter topography exposes it to the marine air breezes, therefore, the growing degree day (GDD) accumulations are higher and the valley is characterized as Region II, and a lower average maximum growing season temperatures. Fog occurs over 55 percent of all nights during the growing season within the southern region of San Luis Obispo county. [7] [36]

SLO Coast San Luis Obispo surrounding area Taken from the Amtrak Coast Starlight Train - panoramio.jpg
SLO Coast

New AVA

Tablas Esprit de Beaucastel.jpg

San Luis Obispo Coast (SLO Coast) became the latest viticultural area in the county receiving TTB recognition on April 8, 2022, after reviewing the petition from the SLO Coast AVA Association, proposing to establish the “San Luis Obispo Coast." [37] The expansive area encompasses approximately 480,585 acres (750.914 sq mi) stretching over 70 miles (110 km) along the Pacific coastline from Ragged Point southbound on the Pacific Coast Highway and Highway 101 to the northern outskirts of Santa Maria at the intersection of State Highway 166 and Highway 101. It includes the coastal communities of San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande and Nipomo while encompassing the county seat of San Luis Obispo. The TTB approved the petition's two names, "San Luis Obispo Coast" and "SLO Coast", to identify the viticultural area's description and wine labeling. [38] The term "SLO" is an historical and commonly used reference for the county and town initials as well as a description of the region's relaxed culture. SLO Coast encompasses the established Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley viticultural areas. There are over 50 wineries, as well as an estimated 78 commercial vineyards cultivating approximately 3,942 acres (1,595 ha) with most of the vineyards located within 6 miles (9.7 km) of the Pacific Ocean defining its grapes and wines. [7]

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Willamette Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which lies in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. The AVA is the wine growing region which encompasses the drainage basin of the Willamette River. It stretches from the Columbia River in the north to just south of Eugene in the south, where the Willamette Valley ends; and from the Oregon Coast Range in the west to the Cascade Mountains in the east. At 5,360 square miles, it is the largest AVA in the state, and contains most of the state's wineries; approximately 908 as of 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Maria Valley AVA</span> American wine region located in California

Santa Maria Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which straddles the boundary of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties in California's multi-county Central Coast AVA. It was established on August 5, 1981, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as California's second oldest AVA. A portion of the AVA crosses the Cuyama River into the southernmost corner of San Luis Obispo County. The east-west orientation of the 152.3 square miles with a wide, open valley and rolling hills means cool winds and fog flow in freely from the Pacific Ocean, settling most noticeably in lower-lying areas. The result is a mild Mediterranean climate that lengthens the growing season and contributes to the eventual sugar/acid balance in the grapes from Santa Maria Valley's 7,500 acres (3,000 ha) cultivated vineyards. On January 28, 2011, the AVA was granted a 29.4 square miles expansion to its southern boundary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paso Robles AVA</span> Appelation that designates wine in San Luis Obispo County, California

Paso Robles is the third American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, California. It was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury on November 3, 1983 based on a petition submitted by Martin Brothers Winery. The area encompasses 609,673 acres (953 sq mi) with approximately 18,500 acres (7,487 ha) cultivated with wine grapes known for their heritage varietal Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rhône-style wines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Coast AVA</span>

Central Coast is a vast American Viticultural Area (AVA) that spans along the Central California Pacific coastline from the San Francisco Bay Area south through Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. It was established on November 25, 1985 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Taylor California Cellars, a winery in Gonzales, California, to establish the "Central Coast" viticultural area. The boundaries of the Central Coast, which have been expanded twice, includes portions of six counties where approximately 100,000 acres (40,469 ha) cultivated with Chardonnay being more than half of the varietal. Within the multi-county AVA are numerous established appellations that share the same maritime climate produced by the Pacific Ocean.

Arroyo Grande Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in San Luis Obispo County, California approximately 12 miles (19 km) southeast of the county seat San Luis Obispo. Arroyo Grande Valley was recognized on February 5, 1990 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as the state's 60th AVA based on the petition filed in 1987 by Don Talley of Talley Vineyards and William S. Greenough of Saucelito Canyon Vineyard for the establishment of the "Arroyo Grande Valley" viticultural area in San Luis Obispo County. The 16 miles (26 km) long, approximately 67 square miles valley appellation benefits from its east-northeast orientation allowing the breeze from the Pacific Ocean to moderate the climate of the area. The valley is divided by a fog line produced by the cool maritime layer where Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Rhône varietals are grown on the higher elevations near Lopez Lake and the cooler mid-valley vineyards being home to Chardonnay and Pinot noir. On April 8, 2022, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) approved the designation of the expansive San Luis Obispo (SLO) Coast AVA overlapping the boundaries of Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley viticultural areas because they share common features. However, these two previously established areas still have unique characteristics to retain their viticultural area distinctions within SLO Coast. Edna Valley lies immediately to the northwest, the Los Padres National Forest straddles the north leg boundary, the Santa Maria Valley AVA lies to the southeast of Arroyo Grande Valley, and the Pacific Ocean communities of Oceano, Grover City and Arroyo Grande abut its southwestern border.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Lucas AVA</span> Appelation that designates wine in Monterey County, CA

San Lucas is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in vicinity of the town of San Lucas between King City and San Ardo in southern Monterey County, California. It lies within the southern end of the fertile Salinas Valley. The appellation was recognized on March 7, 1987 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Almadèn Vineyards of San Jose, California, for the establishment of a viticultural area named "San Lucas." Based on the data submitted by the petitioner for vineyards near King City and San Lucas for the 11-year period 1974 to 1984, ATF concluded that the microclimate of the San Lucas Viticultural Area is the chief characteristic which distinguishes the area from other adjoining areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edna Valley AVA</span> Appelation that designates wine in San Luis Obispo County, CA

Edna Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, California encompassing the rural town of Edna which is 9 miles (14 km) southeast of the county seat San Luis Obispo and north of the small coastal town Arroyo Grande. It was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) as the county's first AVA within California’s multi-county Central Coast AVA effective May 12, 1982. It became an sub-appellation of the county’s newest San Luis Obispo Coast viticultural area since April 2022. The valley is diagonally flanked by Lake Lopez to the south and Islay Hill to the north. The elongated valley extends along a northwest-southeast axis bordered to the west by the Santa Lucia Mountains and surrounded by volcanic mountains and characterized by black humus and clay-rich soils. With moderate sunshine, cool maritime fog, and rich oceanic and volcanic soils, the Edna Valley appellation has California's longest growing season. The valley is kept cool by breezes from the Pacific Ocean and morning fog. The extended growing season allows complex flavors to develop in the grapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monterey AVA</span> Viticultural area in Monterey County, California

Monterey is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in eastern Monterey County, California. It was recognized on July 16, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Monterey Winegrowers Council to establish the "Monterey" viticultural area. The designated area within the multi-county Central Coast AVA expands almost the entire length of the county from the Monterey Bay southern shoreline to the Salinas river valley framed by the Santa Lucia, Sierra de Salinas and Gabilan Ranges stretching north-south for about 100 miles (160 km) from Watsonville to its southern point, abutting the town of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County. Monterey AVA expands approximately 360,000 acres (560 sq mi) with about 40,000 acres (16,000 ha) of cultivated vineyards. The AVA includes parts of the Carmel and the Salinas valleys containing five smaller American viticultural areas: Arroyo Seco, Hames Valley, San Bernabe, San Lucas and Santa Lucia Highlands. The northern portion is a cool growing region with a very long growing season. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 75 °F (24 °C) in most parts of the region, although the southern segments of the AVA can measure 100 °F (38 °C) at times. The soil is sandy loam and most regions require irrigation from the Salinas River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hames Valley AVA</span> Viticultural area in Monterey County, California

Hames Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Monterey County, California a few miles from its southern border with San Luis Obispo (SLO) County. The state's 67th appellation was established on April 15,1994 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Barry C. Jackson of the Harmony Wine Company on behalf of Valley Farm Management, Soledad, California, and Mr. Bob Denney & Associates, Visalia, California to establish a viticultural area within Monterey County known as "Hames Valley."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Bernabe AVA</span> Appelation that designates wine in Monterey County, CA

San Bernabe is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in southern Monterey County, California. It lies within the larger, enlongated Monterey AVA in the Salinas Valley sandwiched between the Salinas River to the east, and the Santa Lucia Mountains to the west. The appellation’s northern border is Pine Canyon and is adjacent on its southern border to the San Lucas viticultural area. The appellation was established on August 30, 2004 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing two petitions submitted by Claude Hoover from Delicato Family Vineyards proposing the establishment of a new viticultural area to be named "San Bernabe", and the realignment of the adjacent, established San Lucas viticultural area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Lucia Highlands AVA</span> Appelation that designates wine in Monterey County, CA

Santa Lucia Highlands is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in central Monterey County, California and lies within the boundaries of the larger, elongated Monterey viticultural area. It was recognized by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms {ATF}, Treasury on June 15, 1992 after reviewing the petition from Mr. Barry Jackson of the Harmony Wine Company proposing a viticultural area to be known as "Santa Lucia Highlands."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">York Mountain AVA</span> Appelation that designates wine in San Luis Obispo County, CA

York Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, California. It lies within the larger Central Coast AVA located on the eastern side of the Santa Lucia Mountains and west of Paso Robles viticultural area. The mountainous terrain features vineyards that are mostly cultivated at an elevation around 1,500 feet (460 m). York Mountain climate is cooler and wetter than Paso Robles being just 8 miles (13 km) from the Pacific Ocean. York Mountain viticultural area was recognized as the county’s second AVA by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) effective on September 23, 1983 after reviewing the petition submitted by Stephen and Max Goldman, owners of York Mountain Winery, to establish a area known as “York Mountain.” Historically, Andrew York, a British immigrant, planted the first vineyard on York Mountain in the 1870s and established Ascension Winery, the first bonded winery in the Central Coast. It survived through Prohibtion and later renamed York Mountain Winery, staying in the York family until 1970 when it was purchased by Max Goldman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sta. Rita Hills AVA</span> Winemaking region in California, United States

Sta. Rita Hills is an American Viticultural Area located in Santa Barbara County, California within the vast Santa Ynez Valley. The approximately 30,720 acres (48 sq mi) area was established on May 31, 2001 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of the Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by J. Richard Sanford and drafted by Wesley D. Hagen, on behalf of viticulturists and vintners working in Santa Barbara County. The petition was signed by 22 people, 14 of whom are local wine grape growers, to establish a viticultural area encompassed by, but separate from, the Santa Ynez Valley AVA to be named "Santa Rita Hills."

Adelaida District is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located on the northwest portion of the Paso Robles AVA in San Luis Obispo County, California. It was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on November 10, 2014 after reviewing the petition submitted by The Paso Robles Viticultural Area Committee (PRVAC) to establish 11 new distinct viticultural areas located within the spacious Paso Robles AVA. The 59 wine industry members who constitute PRVAC cumulatively own or manage over 10,000 acres (4,047 ha) of cultivated vineyards within the proposed AVAs. Wineries located within the Adelaida District are: The Farm Winery, Peachy Canyon Winery, Le Cuvier, Alta Colina, Carmody McKnight Estate Wines, Wild Coyote, Villicana, McPrice Myers, Jacob Toft, Chronic Cellars, Vines on the Marycrest, Nenow Family Wines, Hawks Hill Ranch, Adelaida Cellars, DAOU, Calcareous, Law Estate, Nadeau, Minassian Young, Michael Gill, Villa Creek, Brecon, HammerSky, Oso Libre, Poallilo, Thacher Winery, Whalebone Vineyard, Tablas Creek Vineyard, Halter Ranch, Rangeland, Justin, Kukkula, Dubost, and Starr Ranch.

Creston District is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in the south east portion of the Paso Robles AVA in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, California. It is located in the vicinity of the small community of Creston, California and was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) on November 10, 2014. The Paso Robles Viticultural Area Committee (PRVAC) petitioned TTB to establish 11 new AVAs located entirely within the existing Paso Robles viticultural area.

Alisos Canyon is an American Viticultural Area (AVA), located in Santa Barbara County, California due east outside the small town of Los Alamos on U.S 101 and about 20 miles (32 km) south of Santa Maria, was established on August 25, 2020, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Alisos Canyon stretches west to east over 9 square miles with one bonded winery and nine commercially-producing vineyards cultivates on approximately 238 acres (96 ha). Alisos Canyon Road bisects the region accessing many of its vineyards. The USDA plant hardiness zone for the AVA is 7b.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Barbara County wine</span> Wine region in California, US

Santa Barbara County wine is an appellation that designates wine made from grapes grown mostly in Santa Barbara County, California which is located approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of Los Angeles County. County names in the United States automatically qualify as legal appellations of origin for wine produced from grapes grown in that county and do not require registration with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the Treasury Department. TTB was created in January 2003, when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, or ATF, was extensively reorganized under the provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Luis Obispo Coast AVA</span> Appelation that designates wine in San Luis Obispo County, California

San Luis Obispo Coast and SLO Coast identify the sixteenth American Viticultural Area (AVA) within San Luis Obispo County, California. It was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury on April 8, 2022, becoming the state's 143rd official AVA. The area encompasses over 480,585 acres (750.914 sq mi) nestled between the Santa Lucia mountains and the Pacific coastline stretching about 70 miles (110 km) from Ragged Point southbound on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Highway 101 to the outskirts of Santa Maria at the intersection of State Highway 166 and Highway 101. It includes the coastal communities of San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande and Nipomo while encompassing the county seat of San Luis Obispo. The TTB approved the petition's two names, "San Luis Obispo Coast" and "SLO Coast", to identify the viticultural area's description and wine labeling. The term "SLO" is a historical and commonly used reference for the county and city initials as well as a description of the region's relaxed culture. The new AVA overlaps the previously established Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley viticultural areas. There are over 50 wineries and an estimated 78 commercial vineyards cultivating approximately 3,942 acres (1,595 ha) with a majority of the vineyards located within 6 miles (9.7 km) of the Pacific Ocean defining an area whose grapes and wines represent it. Cool weather varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are commonly grown while lesser varietals Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Gruner Veltliner also thrive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monterey County wine</span> Appelation that designates wine in Monterey County, CA

Monterey County wine is a appellation that designates wine made from grapes grown in Monterey County, California which lies entirely within the expansive multi-county Central Coast viticultural area. County names in the United States automatically qualify as legal appellations of origin for wine produced from grapes grown in that county and do not require registration with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). TTB was created in January 2003, when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, or ATF, was extensively reorganized under the provisions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

References

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35°13′04″N120°36′27″W / 35.2176662°N 120.6075959°W / 35.2176662; -120.6075959