[4] The designated area within the multi-county Central Coast AVA expands almost the entire length of the county from the Monterey Bay southern shoreline to the Salinas river valley framed by the Santa Lucia, Sierra de Salinas and Gabilan Ranges stretching north-south for about 100 miles (160 km) from Watsonville to its southern point, abutting the town of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County.

In areas closer to the cold Pacific currents, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay are the predominant varieties, while in the warmer inland valleys further south, Bordeaux varietals are most often grown.

It expands from the southern shores of Monterey Bay to the long valley between the Gabilan and Sierra de Salinas mountains forming a natural funnel, drawing cool air inland from the coast.

On its route between the Los Padres National Forest and the Pacific, it passes through Paso Robles and San Lucas before it even reaches the Monterey County line.

Once it crosses and flows north of the county border, the river runs through the heart of the Hames Valley, San Bernabe and Arroyo Seco viticultural areas into Monterey AVA.

The watersheds of the Santa Lucia, Gabilan, and Diablo ranges provide adequate water through underground aquifers to enable irrigation as well as to satisfy other agricultural requirements.

They reported that since the submission of the original petition in May 1982, the acreage planted to wine grapes in Monterey County had increased from 31,632 to 35,758 acres (12,801 to 14,471 ha).

They agreed with ATF’s proposal to exclude the approved Chalone viticultural area on the basis that its elevation locates it in a different climate zone.

In its cooler northern area, Riesling and Pinot Noir are popular, while in the warmer southern inland valleys, Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Rhone-styles like Syrah and Petite Sirah, and even some Zinfandel are mostly grown.