The
Vineyards of
Monterey County
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Arroyo Seco
Vnyrd
Baywood
Bernardus
Chalk Knoll
Chalone
Chateau Christina
Chateau Julian
Cloninger
Cobblestone
Distant Bay
Estancia
Galante
Heller Estate
The Hess Collection
Hillside
J. Lohr
Jekel
Joullian
Kendall-Jackson
La Reina
Lockwood
Maddalena
Massa
Mirassou
Morgan
Paraiso
Riverland
River Ranch
Robert Mondavi
Robert Talbot
San Bernabe
San Saba
Scheid
Smith &
Hook / Hahn
The Monterey
Vnyrd
Ventana
Vinco
Wente
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 Santa
Lucia Highlands - Approved in
1991 by the BATF; the vineyards are planted on the southeast
facing terraces of the Santa Lucia mountain range. This location
provides extended exposure to the sun. As a result, the vines
take full advantage of the morning sunshine before the afternoon
maritime breezes start to cool the vineyards. This climatic
combination results in an especially long growing season,
which allows the grapes to fully develop and attain maximum
varietal potential. Nearly half of the 2,300 planted acres
is Chardonnay. The other half is comprised of equal amounts
of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and
white Riesling, which are all well known for their intensity
of true varietal character.
 Chalone
- The first vines were planted here in 1919. These are
the oldest producing vines in the county. The area is home
to just under 200 acres of mostly Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc
and Pinot Noir. This AVA appellation is located at the elevations
of 1,800 feet, in the Gavilan Mountain range, near the Pinnacles
National Monument. This location provides for dramatic daily
temperature swings that average highs in the 90's to lows
in the 50's. Chalone's soil consists of decomposed granite
with moderate amounts of clay and limestone. Unique soil structure
and mountainous climate enable this area's grapes to produce
wines of very high quality in the classic old world style.
 San
Lucas - For over 150 years, the land in this part of the
County was utilized for cattle grazing until vineyards were
established in 1970. The 8,000 acres of vineyards are now
comprised of almost equal amounts of Chardonnay, Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Typified by warm days
and cool nights, daily summer temperatures can swing by 60
degrees. This AVA appellation is made up of alluvial fans
and terraces with an elevation ranging from 500 to 1,200 feet.
The soil is a combination of diatomaceous shale and varying
sizes of sand stone. The wines from this area possess brilliant
colors, abundant varietal flavors and distinct fruit aromas.
 Monterey
County - The potential of Monterey County as a wine producing
area was not realized until the early 1960's. It was during
this time that a study, conducted by the University of California
at Davis, ranked Monterey County among the top areas in the
world for growing fine wine grapes. As a result, the area's
production of fine wine grapes grew substantially. Currently,
the county's wine industry boasts more then 40,000 planted
acres of premium wine grapes. This makes Monterey County the
largest premium grape growing regions on the continent of
North America. The county is blessed with an extremely long
growing season. Grapes here, on average, enjoy an extra 45
to 60 days of developing on the vine every year when compared
to other northern viticulture areas. The varying climates
allow for roughly forty different grape varieties to thrive.
 Monterey
- Though often confused as an appellation that encompasses
the entire Monterey County, the Monterey AVA appellation is
the largest in the County. This area enjoys differing micro-climates
allowing for a wide variety of grape varieties to flourish.
The differing micro-climates allowing are due in part to the
varying proximity of the growing areas to the cooling effects
of the Monterey Bay. Characterized by a long growing season,
nearly half of Monterey is planed with Chardonnay. Other varieties,
such as Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling
also thrive. The long growing season supplies the white wines
with strong fruit characteristics and red wines with bright
colors and a smooth style.
 Hames
Valley - One of the newest registered wine growing regions
of Monterey County. Hames Valley was approved in 1994 by the
BATF. The grape growing area of this valley is sheltered from
the strong winds of the Salinas Valley. However, Hames Valley
received substantial evening cooling from the Monterey Bay.
On average, it is a much warmer here than the majority of
Monterey County's northern wine growing AVA appellations.
The warmer weather patterns are similar to that of the County's
southern neighbor, Paso Robles. Shaly loam soil coupled with
the unique climatic characteristics found here, impart intense
flavors, outstanding balance and brilliant colors to the dominate
varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
 Arroyo
Seco - First planted in 1962, the geography of the this
area extends from a narrow steep canyon which opens to the
western edge of the Salinas Valley floor. The red Bordeaux
grape varieties prosper in the mouth of the canyon. which
is warmed by reflective hat, generated from the soil and nearby
cliffs. the valley floor is relatively cooler, providing ideal
climatic conditions for white Burgundy grape varieties. Integral
to this area's soil composition re the "Greenfield Potatoes".
(3-4 inch cobblestones) which store and release heat and promotes
excellent drainage. Both factors are vital in the production
of outstanding Chardonnay that is well-know for its strong
tropical-fruit characteristics.
 Carmel
Valley - Father Junipero Serra's padres first planted
vineyards here in the 1800's. Commercial grape growing began
in 1968 with 40 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon planted in the
Cachagua (an Indian word meaning Hidden Springs) region of
Carmel Valley. Soon after wines from this area achieved a
strong national and international reputation. In 1983, 19,2000
mountainous acres of Carmel Valley were granted AVA appellation
designation. The planted acreage of this area has since grown
substantially. Today, over 70 percent of the 252 planted acres
are allocated to the red Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon
and Merlot. The well drained , gravely terraces of the area
coupled with warm days and cool mountain nights yield rich
and flavorful wines.
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