The massive Central Coast region encompasses vineyards from San Francisco in the north to Santa Barbara in the south. This region benefits from the cooling influences of the Pacific Ocean and includes many smaller AVAs within its boundaries. The Central Coast is home to a rich diversity of rich soil textures and grape varieties, and is home to both the smallest of boutique wineries and some of California’s largest vineyard and winery operations.

Much of the region’s grape-growing acreage has been devoted to Bordeaux-type varietals, such as Chardonnay and Cabernet. In the last two decades, however, Rhone varietals such as Syrah and Pinot Noir have gained notoriety within Central Coast viticulture.

The six major grape-growing counties in the Central Coast appellation are:

• Monterey County
• San Benito County
• San Luis Obispo County
• San Mateo County
• Santa Barbara County
• Santa Clara County
• Santa Cruz County

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Monterey County [back to top]

Arroyo Seco

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Merlot, Orange Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah

Local wineries: Jekel, Scheid, Ventana

Carmel Valley

Grapes grown: Aleatico, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Durney, Georis, Talbott

Hames Valley

Grapes grown: Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Orange Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel

Local winery: Hames Valley

San Bernabe

Grapes grown: Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Inzolia, Lagrein, Malvasia Bianca, Merlot, Muscat Canelli, Napa Gamay, Orange Muscat, Petite Sirah, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel.

Local winery: Delicato

San Lucas

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Mondeuse/Refosco, Petit Verdot, Pinot Blanc, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah

Local winery: Shale Ridge

Santa Lucia Highlands

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah, Viognier

Local wineries: Cloninger, Paraiso Springs, Smith & Hook

Chalone

Grapes grown: Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah

Local wineries: Chalone, Michaud

Cienega Valley

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Merlot, Negrette, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Viognier, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Calera, DeRose, Pietra Santa

Lime Kiln Valley

Grapes grown: Mourvèdre

Local winery: Enz (no website available)

Mount Harlan

Grapes grown: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Viognier

Local winery: Calera

San Benito

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Merlot, Negrette, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel

Local wineries: DeRose, Léal, Pietra Santa

Arroyo Grande Valley

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Counoise, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Orange Muscat, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Laetitia, Saucelito Canyon, Talley

Edna Valley

Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Muscat, Petite Sirah Pinot Noir, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Edna Valley, Stephen Ross, Windemere

Paso Robles

Grapes grown: Aglianico, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Counoise, Dolcetto, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Lagrein, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Orange Muscat, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Pinot Noir, Primitivo, Riesling, Rolle, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Souzao, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional, Viognier, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Eberle, Silver Horse, Tablas Creek, Tobin James, Wild Horse

York Mountain

Grapes grown: Black Muscat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Zinfandel

Local winery: York Mountain

Santa Cruz Mountains

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Domenico, Fogarty, Woodside

Santa Maria Valley

Grapes grown: Chardonnay, Marsanne, Merlot, Orange Muscat, Petite Sirah, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier

Local wineries: Byron, Chimere, Qupé

Santa Rita Hills

Grapes grown: Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Syrah, Tocai Friulano, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier

Local wineries: Babcock, Melville, Lafond

Santa Ynez Valley

Grapes grown: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Counoise, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Kalyra, Rideau, Zaca Mesa

San Ysidro

Grapes grown: Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir

Local wineries: None

Santa Clara Valley

Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Charbono, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Grenache, Grignolino, Johannisberg Riesling, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Clos LaChance, Pedrizetti, Sarah’s Vineyard

Santa Cruz Mountains

Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Lagrein, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Cinnabar, Picchetti, Ridge

Ben Lomond Mountain

Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Beauregard, Hallcrest

Santa Cruz Mountains

Grapes grown: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Lagrein, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Syrah, Zinfandel

Local wineries: Black Ridge, Clos Tita, David Bruce, Soquel, Testarossa