Situated along the Central Coast – a large AVA ranging from southern San Francisco to southern Santa Barbara County – Monterey County spans 90 miles north to south and benefits from a cool maritime climate influenced by the proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The cool-climate is propelled by the influence of the Blue Grand Canyon, the largest and deepest submarine canyon on the West Coast. The coastal fog, limited rainfall, and ocean breezes create a long growing season, ideal for producing well-balanced wines with vibrant acidity. In the early morning, the entire region is known for being covered in a thick marine layer that is as beautiful as it is functional.

Monterey County’s patchwork of breathtaking vistas, coastal splendor, and sprawling terrain are home to different microclimates and soil types that create nine large AVAs within itself including Arroyo Seco, Carmel Valley, Monterey, and the Santa Lucia Highlands. The coolest districts are to the north, closest to the Pacific Ocean; the warmest are to the south, farthest from the ocean. Each offers unique characteristics from climate to soil diversity making it the perfect region to grow an abundance of grape varieties. Known as a premier region to grow Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the rocky and well-drained to rich and fertile soils of the Salinas Valley and Santa Lucia Mountain Range make way for growing a range of both red and white varieties including Albariño, Riesling, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Blanc.