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Central Coast Wine GuideSan Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande Valley
South County - Edna Valley, Arroyo Grande ValleySouth San Luis Obispo County, located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, has earned worldwide recognition and respect for the exceptional quality of wine grapes produced in this ideal viticultural area. The area includes the Edna Valley, the Arroyo Grande Valley, each a designated American Viticultural Area, the Avila Valley and Nipomo. Wine growing in San Luis Obispo County stretches back to the missionary days of California viticulture, when the first grapevines were planted by the Franciscan padres who settled California in the 1880s. Today, because of this region’s ideal world-class microclimate and soils, wine grapes are the leading crop in San Luis Obispo County. There are over 3000 acres of vines in South San Luis Obispo County, and more vineyards are being planted. The climate and soils have been proven to provide the perfect environment for growing and producing ultra premium quality wines. Due to the unique geography of the South Central Coast, the valleys have east-west orientations and are distinguished by the extensive maritime influence on the climate and soil. The soils are dominated by marine deposits left millions of years ago when the valleys were under water. Loam and clay topsoil overlay calcareous marine deposits promoting complex flavors. The climate is tempered by marine air flowing directly into the valley from the Pacific Ocean. This cooling influence creates an unusually long growing season resulting in greatly intensified varietal flavors. All of these elements produce wine grapes and wines of complex flavors and intensity found only in the world’s greatest wine regions. North County - Paso Robles, TempletonPaso Robles Wine Country is one of the fastest growing premium vineyard and winery regions in California, with the number of bonded wineries and wine grape acres in Paso Robles more than doubling between 1993 and 2002. Paso Robles is situated 20 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, literally halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and, because of this location, is in the center of the Central Coast wine region which spans from Monterey County to the north and to Santa Barbara County to the south. The climate and diverse soils provide optimal growing conditions for a number of varieties. Hot days are contrasted with coastal breezes which flow over the Santa Lucia Mountain Range to cool the vineyards in the evenings. Many different varieties of winegrapes are grown in Paso Robles, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Zinfandel representing 76% of the planted acreage and some forty-five other varieties making up the remainder. During the 1990s plantings of Rhone varietals increased significantly. The wineries are among the major recipients of awards in prominent national wine competitions. Yet fame has not detracted from a friendly and inviting atmosphere where it is not uncommon to meet the families and winemakers who actually own and operate the wineries. Vintners & Growers AssociationsThe San Luis Obispo Vintners & Growers Association is a non-profit organization to promote the vineyards and wines of Edna, Arroyo Grande, Avila valleys and Nipomo in San Luis Obispo County. Our mission is to stimulate business for the common good of our member wineries and grape growers. The Paso Robles Vintners & Growers Association will lead the Paso Robles wine industry toward realizing its potential as a preeminent wine region. |
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San Luis Obispo County offers two distinct winegrowing regions within close proximity to each other. Cool-climate varietals thrive in the Edna Valley and the Arroyo Grande Valley to the south, while heat-loving varietals soak up the summer sun of Templeton and Paso Robles to the north. Both areas enjoy the influence of warm summers and cool ocean breezes, and because of this optimum climate, Central Coast wines are well-balanced, classic varietal interpretations that can be enjoyed now or cellared for a special occasion.