Monterey County

Monterey Wine Country’s growing region is vast, stretching 90 miles from north to south. There are nine distinct and separate AVAs within the 45,000 cultivated wine grape acres of Monterey County. The AVAs are Arroyo Seco, Carmel Valley, Chalone, Hames Valley, Monterey, San Antonio Valley, San Bernabe, San Lucas and Santa Lucia Highlands. The AVAs all share low rainfall, significant diurnal temperature variations, and strong ocean influence. The gently sloping land is suitable for drainage while the terrain and soil characteristics are the most ideal for planting, cultivating, and harvesting grapes away from urbanization. The soil temperatures are cooler than in other parts of the state. This factor naturally limits the size of the crop, thereby increasing grape and wine quality.