American Viticultural Areas

A bit warmer than the Santa Maria Valley, a bit cooler than Ballard Canyon, Alisos Canyon is the newest AVA in the United States, having just been established in August of 2020. With sandy soils that allow for coveted own-rooted grapevines to thrive, the nearly 5,800-acre wine-grape growing appellation is ideal for Rhone Valley varietals such as Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre & Grenache Blanc, among others. Our most recent vintages of Syrah fruit are being sourced from the Watch Hill Vineyard and our White Balance Grenache Blanc was grown at the Thompson (Dovecote) Vineyard in this AVA. We're already planning to pick up some fruit from the Nolan Vineyard in this AVA for 2024.

Officially established in 2013 and encompassing 7,700 acres, the north-south oriented canyon provides a unique weather pattern of wind, maritime influence, fog and heat. Known mostly for oppulent Syrahs, this AVA is also renowned for full-bodied Grenache and Grenache Blanc, though other varietals do extremely well here, as well. We source Syrah and Grenache Tierra Alta Vineyards in this AVA. We're also exploring Hinnrich Vineyard for Syrah this 2024.

The Los Olivos District is entirely within the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, sharing a common boundary with Ballard Canyon AVA on the west side, and Happy Canyon AVA on the east side. The area's complex topography and maritime influence presents a wide range of mesoclimates. Warmer than Ballard Canyon, cooler than Happy Canyon, this AVA is particularly well suited for Bordeaux varietals. We source our Merlot fruit from Estelle Vineyards in this AVA.

Established in 1981, the Santa Maria Valley was second only to Napa Valley in the state to receive official AVA status. The Santa Maria Valley boasts a rare “transverse” geography; an east-west orientation that channels cool Pacific air directly into the valley. The result is a Mediterranean climate that produces one of California’s longest growing seasons. Bounded by the San Rafael Mountains and Los Padres National Forest to the east and by the Solomon Hills and the city of Santa Maria to the West, with the Santa Maria River/Sisquoc River flowing right down the center. Nestled along 'the bench' of the Sisquoc River is Riverbench Vineyards. This is where we source our Albariño and Pinot Meunier fruit.

Santa Ynez Valley is home to our winery and tasting room, but we source grapes from all over California's Central Coast. We look in warm climate AVAs for those varietals which thrive in warm climates and we look in cool climate AVAs for those varietals which do well under the influence of the cool Pacific air. Once we find the right weather, we look at the soils and farming practices. Where possible, we look for sustainable farming practices.

With a total area of 30,720 acres, the Sta. Rita Hills AVA is home to over 59 vineyards, totaling 2,700 hundred acres planted to 20 cool climate wine grape varieties. First established in 2001, the combination of elevated calcium in the soil and the Pacific’s cooling influence combine to form one of the world’s best cool-climate viticulture areas for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We source our 667, 777, Pommard and Swan clones of Pinot Noir fruit from La Encantada Vineyards in this AVA.

One of 11 Subdivisions of the Paso Robles AVA, Willow Creek District AVA is situated in the hills on the West Side of Paso Robles. Consisting of mostly calcareous soils, Willow Creek is bordered by the Templeton Gap District to the south and east, Adelaida District to the north and the York Mountain AVA to the west, and received official AVA status in 2014. We've sourced our Tempranillo grapes from Stanger Vineyards in this AVA.

Another one of 11 Subdivisions of the Paso Robles AVA, the Adelaida District AVA is the most northwestern of the 11 Paso Robles districts. Approximately 53,100 acres, it is well defined by its mountainous topography nestled within the southern end of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range. The Adelaida District receives around 30 inches of rain in a year cycle, approximately 20 more inches than some of the dryer parts of the Paso Robles AVA. However, the calcareous soil has both water retentive capabilities and good drainage. The sponge-like qualities prove to be important as vines grow deep seeking out moisture during the warm summers. We've sourced our 2022 & 2023 Viognier and Grenache from Alta Colina Vineyard, as well as 2023 Petite Sirah from Loma Seca Vineyard from this AVA.