- Forty-degree temperature variance, north to south, on a summer day
- Ocean air/winds act as an “air conditioning system”, mitigating temperatures and extending growing season
- Dictates the proper varietal planting choices for each sub-appellation
The Thermal Rainbow gives a succinct, visual representation of the Blue Grand Canyon’s™ influence on the temperatures and subsequent varietal selection throughout Monterey Wine Country. The coolest districts are to the north, closest to the ocean and the warmest areas are to the south of the county, furthest from the ocean.
In the early morning, the entire region is cool and, for a large part, covered by a thick marine layer. Temperatures at Monterey Bay in the north and the southern end of the county are both around 55 degrees. As the sun rises, the valley starts to warm. The heat burns off the fog and begins the slow rise in temperature at the southern end of the county.
