Santa Lucia Highlands
When the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA was founded in 1992, it was producing mediocre grapes sold by the truckload to mass producers like Mondavi and Sutter Home. But Gary Pisoni, and later Robb Talbott and Gary Franscioni, recognized the tremendous potential of the area and focused on creating quality single vineyard wines. Other producers began following suit, and almost overnight the region has become a fountain of highly-coveted wine.
The Santa Lucia Highlands is made up of just over 20,000 acres and runs along a southeast-facing slope that overlooks the Salinas Valley of Monterey County. This AVA has one of the coolest and longest growing seasons in all of California with average August high temperatures is the mid-70s. Significant winds and fog constantly funnel through the valley from Monterey Bay, keeping the area cool and moist. But the high moisture levels bring mildew, which is the biggest problem facing vineyards in the Highlands.
These growing conditions are ideal for Burgundian varietals, with Chardonnay vineyards taking up over half of the 2,300 acres of planted vineyards in the Highlands. The Chardonnay here displays ripe apple and pear flavors while Pinot Noir, the runner-up in popularity, shows a lush black cherry. Syrah is the up-and-coming star of the Highlands with producers planting more and more vines in the warmer southern end of the region. Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Blanc and Riesling are also planted but less abundantly.
Location
United States → California → Monterey County
Appellation Type
American AVA
Wineries (4)
Hahn Estates
Paraiso Vineyards
Pessagno Winery
San Saba Vineyards
Wines (10)
| Hahn Estates Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2006 | Santa Lucia Highlands | Red | |
| Morgan Pinot Noir Twelve Clones Santa Lucia Highlands 2003 | Santa Lucia Highlands | Red | |
| Morgan Pinot Gris Santa Lucia Highlands R&D Franscioni Vineyard 2004 | Santa Lucia Highlands | White | |
| Morgan Pinot Noir Double L Vineyard 2003 | Santa Lucia Highlands | Red | |
| Morgan Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard 2003 | Santa Lucia Highlands | Red | |
| Morgan Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Garys' Vineyard 2003 | Santa Lucia Highlands | Red | |
| Morgan Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands Double L Vineyard 2002 | Santa Lucia Highlands | White | |
| Morgan Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands Rosella's Vineyard 2002 | Santa Lucia Highlands | White | |
| Morgan Tierra Mar Syrah Santa Lucia Highlands 2001 | Santa Lucia Highlands | Red | |
| Morgan Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard 2001 | Santa Lucia Highlands | Red |