Central Coast Wine Region

The central coast wine region is one of California's most fascinating wine regions and is also home to some of the most prestigious wineries in the country. Stretched along the coastline from San Francisco Bay to Santa Barbara, the Central Coast region extends from the Pacific to the borders of Central valley covering six counties. The region is well known for its cool climate due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean and its Chardonnay which accounts for more than 50% of the total production. The Central Coast Wine Region encompasses almost 100,000 acres of vineyards that includes 40 AVAs including Paso Robles, Santa Cruz Mountains, Monterey, and Santa Barbara. 

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Where is the Central Coast wine region?

The central coast wine region extends 300 miles from San Francisco in the North and Los Angeles in the south. The region is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the inland central valley to the east. The region is cool due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean favoring wine production. 

Most of the vineyards are spread in the valleys that end up in the coastal areas. The vineyards along with the proximity to the pacific benefits from the cold, humid air that creates foggy morning reducing the temperature and sun exposure. This is why Coastal regions are some of the ideal places for growing cool climate varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

History of Central Coast wine region

The Central Coast region played a vital role in the uplifting of American viticulture. Viticulture on the Central Coast is among the earliest in California when a group of Spanish Franciscan monks made their way north on El Camino Real in the late 1700s. 

The progressively growing wine business in this part of the world came to halt due to the Prohibition Act in the 1920s which took a long time to recover. The winemakers revived the wine business in the late 1970s and in 1985, the Central Coast was recognized as a wine region.

The terroir and geography of the Central Coast wine region

The central coast region encompasses rugged and mountainous topography that was created by the tectonic shift. The wine region covers 400km2 with two contrasting climatic zones with varying soil contents. On the western side of the region, crisp ocean air provides cool, moist air and a refreshing climate that is perfect for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The soil content in the coastal areas is rich in limestone and marine deposits. In the eastern part of the region, the soil content is mostly clay and loam rich in minerals. The Eastern area along the inland central valley has harsh sun exposures and higher daily temperatures, grape varieties like Syrah, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache, and Mourvedre perform well around the region

Popular grape varieties from the Central Coast wine region

Central Coast wine appellation in California produces mostly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Chardonnay dominates the wine region with more than 50% of total grape production. The wine region is so large that climate and terroir immensely vary across the region, making it a diverse region that accommodates more than 34 grape varieties. 

Other notable grapes grown in the region includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Sauvignon Blanc. 

Food to pair with Central Coast wine 

Tetrazzini Chicken

The Tetrazzini Chicken is one of the famous dishes in California that is super creamy. Folklore suggests that it was invented between 1908-1910 by Ernest Arbogast, chef at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California, and was named after Luisa Tetrazzini, an Italian opera star.

Chicken tetrazzini is a cheesy baked pasta loaded with diced-up chicken, mushrooms, and a buttery, cream-based sauce. Tetrazzini Chicken is best served along with mushroom rice, garlic bread, roasted carrots, or a salad. This classic creamy dish perfectly pairs with Chardonnay from the Central Coast. The fruity and citrus notes of the wines pair well with the chicken.  

California-style pizza

Pizza made its way around the world starting in Italy, with lots of variations in the toppings and cooking method. Pizza is round flat dough with tomato sauce with toppings like cheese, meat, olive oil, herbs, sausages, and a whole lot of wishes. This dish is usually baked in high-temperature ovens, originally baked in firewood ovens. Pizza is highly fragrant due to the use of herbs like basil and oregano. 

The earthiness of the Californian Pinot Noir enhances the flavor of herbs topped in pizza. The medium-bodied and highly acidic Pinot Noir complements the acidic sauce on the pizza and the meat. 

California King Salmon

The California King Salmon aka the Chinook salmon is the largest and most valuable species of Pacific. It is also the largest in the genus Oncorhynchus.

Wild Chinook Salmon is one of the rare species that are available fresh during certain weeks of the summer. This salmon is incredibly tasty and nutritious. Californian harvesters treat the King with respect and care to bring you an exceptional product. California king salmon is usually made with a tangy lemon caper pesto and thin slices of zucchini. This salmon is incredibly tender and flaky with a rich buttery flavor. 

Places to visit in the Central Coast wine region

Beaches

The Central coastline stretches for many miles between San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles. The region boasts some of the best beaches in the United States. There are more than 250 beaches of different shapes and sizes for your next vacation. There are a lot of activities that you can enjoy like whale watching, bird watching, elephant sean mating, beachcombing, pet play, horseback riding, tide-pooling, and driving. 

The region has temperate weather that makes these beaches comfortable all year round. The best time to visit the beaches is between July and October. 

Unravel miles of pristine white sand on the west coast while enjoying your Californian wine. 

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is regarded as one of the best aquariums in the world. The aquarium exhibits a wide range of sea creatures, from fast-swimmingCheck out the best wineries in Central Coast! sharks to sea otters, in a unique oceanfront location. The aquarium currently has more than 200 exhibits and 80,000 plants and animals. 

Discover the wonders of the ocean while you are in the central coast region.

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Frequently asked questions about Central Coast