BY SALLY BUFFALO
Original Article Appeared: http://ww.sanluisobispo.com/living/food-drink/wine-beer/article150513892.html
When the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area was
established in 1983, it contained just five bonded wineries and 5,000 acres of
vines. Now home to more than 200 wineries and 32,000 vineyard acres, it was
divided into 11 smaller AVAs in 2014:
Adelaida District
Rugged terrain spanning Santa Lucia slopes and foothills
with lots of limestone-rich, calcareous soils, modest marine influence and high
average annual rainfall of 25 inches. Wineries/vineyards: Tablas Creek
Vineyard, Halter Ranch Vineyard, Justin Vineyards and Winery, Adelaida
Vineyards & Winery, Daou Vineyards.
Creston District
A warmer region with less rain, about 11 inches per year,
spanning a plateau at the base of the La Panza Range with fertile alluvial
soils, granite and sedimentary rock. Wineries/vineyards: Chateau Margene,
August Ridge Vineyards, Shadow Run Vineyards & Winery.
El Pomar District
Old terraces and hills with rich, loamy soils, some
calcareous rock and sandstone, moderate rainfall and strong marine breezes with
heavy fog. Wineries/vineyards: Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery, AmByth
Estate, Still Waters Vineyards.
Estrella District
Rolling plains in the Estrella River Valley with deep,
mineral-rich alluvial soils and high day-to-night temperature variations of up
to 40 degrees. Wineries/vineyards: J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, Le Vigne
Winery, Villa San-Juliette Vineyard & Winery.
Geneseo District
A warmer area of upfaulted hills along the Huerhuero-La
Panza fault with low rainfall featuring alluvial soils along with older granite
and gravel cementation. Wineries/vineyards: Eberle Winery, Robert Hall Winery,
Vina Robles Vineyards & Winery, Cass Winery.
Highlands District
The warmest district in the region, with diurnal temperature
swings over 50 degrees, at the base of the La Panza range with deep alluvial
soil. Wineries/vineyards: Shell Creek Vineyards, French Camp Vineyards.
San Juan Creek
A younger river valley with sand and clay loam soils in a
warm, low-rain area with high temperature swings. Wineries/vineyards: Red Cedar
Vineyard (which crosses into the Estrella district).
San Miguel District
The footslope of the Santa Lucia range, covering Salinas and
Estrella river terraces, with a moderate climate, deep sandy loam and some clay
loam. Wineries/vineyards: San Marcos Creek Vineyard, Locatelli Vineyards &
Winery, Caparone Winery.
Santa Margarita Ranch
Spanning high mountain slopes of the ancient Salinas River
bed and its current path, with a mix of alluvial soils and the highest rainfall
in the region, at 29 inches. Wineries/vineyards: Ancient Peaks Winery.
Templeton Gap District
Rolling slopes and broad terraces with a pronounced marine
influence from ocean breezes and fog, decent rainfall and loamy soil with spots
of calcareous rock. Wineries/vineyards: Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards,
Castoro Cellars, Peachy Canyon Winery, Zenaida Cellars.
Willow Creek District
A hilly region with a strong marine influence, rain between
24 and 30 inches a year, and lots of limestone-rich calcareous and loamy soil.
Wineries/vineyards: L’Aventure Winery, Opolo Vineyards, Denner Vineyards, Rotta
Winery, Niner Wine Estates.
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