Central Coast - Wine Region of the Day

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Central Coast

The Central Coast was designated as an AVA in 1985. Situated across 280 miles from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, the Central Coast is home to sub-appellations Arroyo Grande Valley, Arroyo Seco, Ballard Canyon, Ben Lomond Mountain, Carmel Valley, Chalone, Cienega Valley, Edna Valley, Hames Valley, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, Lime Kiln Valley, Livermore Valley, Monterey, Mt. Harlan, Pacheco Pass, Paicines, Paso Robles, San Antonio Valley, San Benito, San Bernabe, San Francisco Bay, San Lucas, San Ysidro District, Santa Clara Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, and York Mountain. The Central Coast is so vast that it features a variety of soil types and microclimates across its sub-appellations. The most common vines planted across the Central Coast are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.

Lime Kiln Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Lime Kiln Valley

Lime Kiln Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1982 but has been home to vineyards since 1887.  Vine cuttings were brought from France and from mission vineyards.

Situated on 2,300 acres, Lime Kiln Valley is located in San Benito County. The valley has been known for its kilns before 1900.  The county formally named the valley in the 1970s.  The soil of the region consists of fine limestone and dolomite base, with top layers of sand and gravel loam above.

The climate of the valley is noted for having less precipitation than the land at higher elevations but slightly more than the greater Cienega Valley.  The valley floor averages 16 inches per year instead of 40 inches up in the mountains and 15 inches in other valley zones. 

Lime Kiln Valley has a mild diurnal cycle; the region has bright sunny days and moderate evenings. Average temperatures in the valley are cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer than the surrounding areas.

.The region is best known for its production of Mourvedre and  Zinfandel but is also home to Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir as well a virtually extinct Bordeaux varietal, Gros Verdot

Lime Kiln Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Lime Kiln Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1982 but has been home to vineyards since 1895. Situated on 2,300 acres, Lime Kiln Valley is located in San Benito County. The soil of the region consists of fine limestone and dolomite base, with top layers of sand and gravel loam above. Lime Kiln Valley has a mild diurnal cycle; the region has bright sunny days and moderate evenings. The region is best known for its production of Zinfandel but is also home to Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir as well a virtually extinct Bordeaux varietal, Gros Verdot.