The earliest vinifera plantings, in what was to become the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation, took place in the 1790s, with the arrival of the first Spanish missionaries and conquistadors. The modern era, however, could be said to begin in the early 1970s, the initial plantings by Rich and Claudia Smith at Paraiso, the McFarland family at Sleepy Hollow, Phil Johnson at La Estancia, and Nicky Hahn at Smith & Hook.
Approved in 1991 as a unique AVA, the vineyards here are planted high up on the southeast facing terraces of the Santa Lucia mountain range, overlooking the Salinas River Valley. The vines’ elevated locations take full advantage of the morning sunshine before the afternoon maritime breezes cool the vineyards. The true Region I type climate, comparable to Burgundy, results in an especially long growing season, which allows the grapes to fully develop and attain maximum varietal potential. As you would expect, the cool weather-loving Burgundian varietals Chardonnay and Pinot Noir flourish here; Rhone grape types such as Syrah emulate their French northern districts brethren, thriving in the SLH’s slightly warmer, more wind-protected canyons and slopes.
Today, over 4,700 wine grape acres are currently under cultivation in the Highlands, with Pinot Noir being the district’s go-to poster wine. The winegrowers of the Santa Lucia Highlands are innovators – almost every single vineyard is a living laboratory, with new clones, trellising systems, and farming regimens being continuously explored. Special Wine Tasting Package: Enjoy the wines of the River Road Wine Trail tasting rooms with a wine tasting passport!
The earliest vinifera plantings, in what was to become the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation, took place in the 1790s, with the arrival of the first Spanish missionaries and conquistadors. The modern era, however, could be said to begin in the early 1970s, the initial plantings by Rich and Claudia Smith at Paraiso, the McFarland family at Sleepy Hollow, Phil Johnson at La Estancia, and Nicky Hahn at Smith & Hook.
Approved in 1991 as a unique AVA, the vineyards here are planted high up on the southeast facing terraces of the Santa Lucia mountain range, overlooking the Salinas River Valley. The vines’ elevated locations take full advantage of the morning sunshine before the afternoon maritime breezes cool the vineyards. The true Region I type climate, comparable to Burgundy, results in an especially long growing season, which allows the grapes to fully develop and attain maximum varietal potential. As you would expect, the cool weather-loving Burgundian varietals Chardonnay and Pinot Noir flourish here; Rhone grape types such as Syrah emulate their French northern districts brethren, thriving in the SLH’s slightly warmer, more wind-protected canyons and slopes.
Today, over 4,700 wine grape acres are currently under cultivation in the Highlands, with Pinot Noir being the district’s go-to poster wine. The winegrowers of the Santa Lucia Highlands are innovators – almost every single vineyard is a living laboratory, with new clones, trellising systems, and farming regimens being continuously explored. Special Wine Tasting Package: Enjoy the wines of the River Road Wine Trail tasting rooms with a wine tasting passport!
The oldest producing vineyard in Monterey County
Perched in the remote Gavilan Mountain Range, 1,800 feet above California’s Salinas Valley, this rugged vineyard sits at the base of an extinct volcano bordering the Pinnacles National Park. Chalone Vineyard is one of the few wineries in the U…
Hahn Family Wines owns and farms 650 acres of estate vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands (SLH) appellation of Monterey County. The family also owns an additional 750 acres of prime vineyards in Monterey County’s Arroyo Seco AVA. The Hahn’s…
For almost 100 years, our family has lived and farmed in this beautiful little part of California’s Monterey County – today known to wine lovers as the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation. The SLH – one of the New World’s prestige addresses for…
Standing 1,500 feet above sea level in Monterey County’s Gabilan Mountains, you can actually see the Michaud Vineyard’s terroir. The rocky crags and peaks of nearby Pinnacles National Monument loom over the almost moonscape-like panorama. This is…
Odonata Wines is a small family winery. We do our best to focus on local grapes that are organic and grown sustainably. We work closely with the growers to ensure the highest quality wines from the vines to the glass. The credo we subscribe to is…
Pessagno Winery brings to life a family’s 20-year dream of producing exclusive wines from prestigious vineyards throughout the Monterey and San Benito Counties. Winemaker Stephan Pessagno left behind a legacy of extravagance for all in the industry…
The Franscioni family has handled the Salinas Valley soil for the past three generations. In the early 1890s, Silvio Franscioni Sr. settled a ranch outside of Gonzales with his beloved wife Maria and their children. What began as a dairy operation…
The bold image that adorns our wine labels is our salute to the vineyard worker and reflects our beginnings as a grape grower. While it is rooted in tradition, the iconic image is also looking ahead and stepping forward, expressing our belief in…
If our family is known for one attribute above all else it’s our friendly hospitality. So it’s a good thing we’re in the business of growing grapes and making wine, because nothing makes us happier than sharing the product of our passion and…
Great wines are made in the vineyard, and the Ventana Vineyard has the perfect combination of water, soil, climate, art and science to create superb, world-class wines. Ventana is known for its unique planting style and phenomenal Estate wines. This…
Wrath produces site-driven Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc from their estate vineyard and respected properties in the Santa Lucia Highlands. Their production is small and their wines reveal passion and an inherent respect for what…