United States / California

Central Coast

Appellation

The Central Coast AVA is a vast, maritime-influenced wine region stretching from the San Francisco Bay Area down through Santa Barbara County, encompassing numerous sub-appellations that share cooling Pacific Ocean influence. Chardonnay dominates plantings, accounting for more than half of the region's roughly 100,000 vineyard acres, alongside a wide range of other Bordeaux, Rhône, and Italian varieties.

Grapes grown here

Chardonnay Principal Albariño Permitted Barbera Permitted Cabernet Franc Permitted Cabernet Sauvignon Permitted Carignan Permitted Chenin Blanc Permitted Cinsaut Permitted Counoise Permitted Dolcetto Permitted Gewürztraminer Permitted Grenache Permitted Malbec Permitted Marsanne Permitted Merlot Permitted Mourvèdre Permitted Nebbiolo Permitted Petite Sirah Permitted Petit Verdot Permitted Pinot Gris Permitted Pinot Noir Permitted Riesling Permitted Roussanne Permitted Sangiovese Permitted Sauvignon Blanc Permitted Sémillon Permitted Syrah Permitted Tempranillo Permitted Vermentino Permitted Viognier Permitted Zinfandel Permitted

Sub-regions

Paso Robles

Paso Robles is a large, warm San Luis Obispo County appellation historically known for heritage Zinfandel and, since the 1980s, for Rhône varieties like Syrah, Grenache, and Viognier alongside Bordeaux grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon. Its varied bedrock of weathered granite, volcanic, and marine sedimentary soils supports an unusually wide range of grapes, and winemakers there are known for eclectic 'Paso blends' that don't follow traditional conventions.