An appellation is a legally defined and protected geographic region used to identify where wine grapes are grown. When we see Santa Maria Valley on the label, we know that 85% of the grapes used to make the wine hail from the bench lands of Santa Maria. This tradition is very old with references found in the Bible.
In the United States to have a wine region become an American Viticultural Area (AVA), private petitioners, usually grape growers and wineries, provide the Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau proof that growing conditions, including soil type, climate, elevation and physical features are unique to a specific area. Not all petitions are accepted and some have waited years for approval.
There are over 200 American Viticulture Areas in the United States with 110 in California.
Some Central Coast Wine Appellations Explored
The large Central Coast Appellation stretches from San Francisco Bay to Santa Barbara. Within the borders of this region are 29 separate smaller appellations. Here are details of five nearby AVA’s:
Paso Robles has the largest local AVA with 26,000 acres of vines growing over 40 grape varieties and providing fruit to almost 200 nearby wineries. It encompasses the cooler wetter areas west of highway 101 as well as the warmer areas to the east. A petition to have an additional 11 sub AVAs is under review. Cabernet, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah and a number of Rhone varieties dominate the region, producing wine with ripe, rich fruit characteristics.
York Mountain AVA is higher, wetter, cooler and much smaller than the sprawling Paso Robles AVA with six separate vineyards and one winery. Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Syrah are grown.
Edna Valley AVA is located southeast from the Mission town of San Luis Obispo. It is eight miles long, runs east-west and is bordered by low lying mountains funneling cool ocean breezes and evening fog into the area. The region’s rocky volcanic soils produce fruit with intense varietal character and complex flavors. It is best known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a dozen wineries open for tasting including Claiborne & Churchill, Saucelito Canyon, Stephen Ross and Autry Cellars.
Arroyo Grande Valley AVA is a 16-mile-long serpentine valley southeast of San Luis Obispo. The marine fog moves up the valley from the coast and cools the warm area during the summer creating fruit with rich concentrated flavors. Talley Vineyards and Laetitia wineries reside here and have excellent tasting facilities.
Santa Maria Valley AVA has almost 7,500 acres planted and is best known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but vineyard acreage also includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Sangiovese and Syrah. Look for lots of fruit and minerality in the area wines. Only a dozen or so wineries are located here. Cambria Winery, Cottonwood Canyon and Ken Volk Vineyards are good places to visit.
Last updated: May, 2010
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first one to comment on this article.
