Introduction A Seamless Bond Between Vine and Ocean The SLO Difference Pronounced Marine Conditions... 6

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2 Table of Contents Introduction... 1 A Seamless Bond Between Vine and Ocean... 4 The SLO Difference... 5 Pronounced Marine Conditions... 6 A Rich Viticultural History... 7 Quick Facts... 8 Visitor Experience: The SLO Life... 9 About the SLO Wine Country Association... 10

3 Our wineries are just five miles on average from the Pacific Ocean, so the prevailing marine conditions are very pronounced, giving the fruit a lot of time to develop rich, full flavors while maintaining structure, complexity, and balance. MIKE SINOR SINOR-LAVALLEE WINE COMPANY 1

We have one of the longest winegrowing seasons in the world, with very moderate

4 In many places, the soils are rich in beds of fossilized shells, marine shale, and ancient sand dunes left behind by the ocean when the land was uplifted. We have one of the longest winegrowing seasons in the world, with very moderate temperatures which protect the natural acidity and freshness of the wines. NATHAN CARLSON, CENTER OF EFFORT 2

5 The wines of our coastal region have a distinct personality with natural balancing acidity and complex flavors. Our vineyard soils are mostly marine in origin with some volcanic influences, so at one time we could have had beachfront property here, dotted with active volcanoes. DON OTHMAN, KYNSI WINERY 3

6 A Seamless Bond Between Vine and Ocean In the San Luis Obispo Wine Country on California s Central Coast or SLO Wine Country, as locals call it the Pacific Ocean shapes our culture, our terrain and our wines. Here, where our vineyards reside an average distance of just five miles from the water, the prevailing coastal conditions are among the most pronounced of any wine region in California and beyond. Our ocean-cooled environment yields wines that are distinguished by uncommon depth and balance, and ultimately a unifying quality that is native to SLO Wine Country. REGION SLO Wine Country unfolds along the oceanfront side of the coastal mountain range in southern San Luis Obispo County, equidistant from San Francisco and Los Angeles. While SLO Wine Country includes two AVAs Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley it is a small intimate region populated by less than 35 wineries, each with a unifying proximity to the ocean, as well as to each other. VARIETIES SLO Wine Country is renowned for producing some of California s finest Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, as well as remarkable aromatic white wines. Rhône varietals such as Syrah and Viognier have proven to excel in the region, with Zinfandel thriving in the warmer mountainous areas. WINERIES Travelers are encouraged to Hit the Trail and explore themed wine tasting trips, with each trail offering visitors a different type of tasting experience. EVENTS The San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association stages two main annual events: the Roll Out The Barrels celebration in the summer, including the signature Barrels in The Plaza tasting in downtown San Luis Obispo; and Harvest on the Coast in the fall, including a grand tasting. ONLINE SLOwine.com and on facebook SLO WINE COUNTRY ASSOCIATION A Seamless Bond Between Vine and Ocean 4

The SLO Difference Following are unique attributes that distinguish and differentiate the wines of SLO Wine Country as well as the local winegrowing experience: While diversity abounds in SLO Wine

7 The SLO Difference Following are unique attributes that distinguish and differentiate the wines of SLO Wine Country as well as the local winegrowing experience: While diversity abounds in SLO Wine Country, the region s wines are also united by three core qualities that reflect the region s distinctive growing conditions. 1) Balance fostered by reliable marine cooling 2) Complexity enhanced by the diversity of the coastal soils 3) Consistency nurtured by a narrow bandwidth of temperature fluctuations Here, where our vineyards reside an average distance of just five miles from the water, the prevailing coastal conditions are among the most pronounced of any wine region in California and beyond. SLO Wine Country is renowned for producing some of California s finest Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, and local pioneering growers and wineries were among the first in California to recognize that these varieties excel in the state s coolest winegrowing environments. Aromatic whites such as Albariño, Riesling and Pinot Gris as well as Rhône varieties also thrive in SLO Wine Country s cool environs. Pinot Noirs from SLO Wine Country are concentrated yet balanced, leaning more toward the red fruit spectrum and exhibiting ample spice elements. These are serious Pinot Noirs that show gracefulness, complexity and aging potential. Chardonnays from SLO Wine Country typically exhibit an intense tropical fruit character balanced by fresh natural acidity. This acidity, and malic acid in particular, is nurtured by the cool growing conditions and brings a crisp apple element to the wines. More than 90 percent of SLO Wine Country s vineyards are Sustainability in Practice (SIP) certified by the Central Coast Vineyard Team, reflecting a shared community respect for the environment. Winemaking has deep roots in SLO Wine Country. Wine was first made locally by Franciscan missionaries in the 1770s, and commercial winemaking in the region dates back to the 1880s. SLO WINE COUNTRY ASSOCIATION The SLO Difference 5

Pronounced Marine Conditions The majority of SLO Wine Country s vineyards are located in the relatively small and contiguous American Viticultural Areas of the Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley on

8 Pronounced Marine Conditions The majority of SLO Wine Country s vineyards are located in the relatively small and contiguous American Viticultural Areas of the Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley on the oceanfront side of the coastal mountain range. Vineyards are also found in neighboring coastal areas, such as Avila Valley and Pismo Beach. PACIFIC-COOLED CLIMATE Collectively the terrain of SLO Wine Country is unified by a pronounced marine influence and cool-climate growing conditions. The vineyards are, on average, located just five miles from the ocean. As seen in the map below, multiple landforms allow the topography to capture the prevailing ocean winds and fog. As a result, even the farthest inland points of SLO Wine Country are marked by a reliable influence of cool marine air. Across SLO Wine Country, mild winters encourage an early bud break while cool summers extend ripening, resulting in an exceptionally long growing season. Edna Valley in the heart of SLO Wine Country is California s coolest winegrowing region with an average of just 1,300 degree days. The average daily maximum temperature is 70 degrees. The northwest-to-southeast orientation of Edna Valley creates a direct path for cool marine air from the Morro Bay area, while the east-west orientation of Arroyo Grande Valley draws marine air directly from the coastline to the west, all resulting in synergistic coastal growing conditions that largely appeal to cool-climate varieties. COMPLEX COASTAL SOILS The tectonic forces responsible for uplifting the coastal mountain range also created a remarkably complex soil profile across SLO Wine Country. Because of its unusual proximity to the ocean, SLO Wine Country is marked by undulating terrain with very few flat expanses. The local terrain consequently exhibits considerable variance in slope, aspect and soil types. The tectonic forces responsible for uplifting the coastal mountain range also created a remarkably complex soil profile across SLO Wine Country. Because of its unusual proximity to the ocean, SLO Wine Country is marked by undulating terrain with very few flat expanses. The local terrain consequently exhibits considerable variance in slope, aspect and soil types. Higher elevations in SLO Wine Country typically feature shallow, gravelly soils that yield to sloping bedrock. Lower elevations in SLO Wine Country have deeper alluvial soils that are also well drained. Soil variation ultimately enables the winemaker to mix and match varietals to specific soil profiles, or to add more colors to the palette of a single grape variety, heightening overall quality and complexity in the finished wine. SLO WINE COUNTRY ASSOCIATION Pronounced Marine Conditions 6

9 A Rich Viticultural History Winemaking is deeply rooted in SLO Wine Country, dating back to the 18th century with the founding of Mission San Luis Obispo by Father Junipero Serra in Here, the padres grew grapes and made them into sacramental wines. EARLY COMMERCIAL WINEMAKING In the 1870s, French settler Pierre Hypolite Dallidet became the Central Coast s first commercial vintner, producing wine from a 16-acre vineyard planted around what is today known as the Dallidet Adobe on Pacific Street in downtown San Luis Obispo. His winery continued in operation for a time after his death in Commercial wine was also produced from grapes grown at Rancho Saucelito in the upper Arroyo Grande Valley. The old Zinfandel vines planted in 1880 by Henry Ditmas were restored by the Greenough family in the 1970s, and remain a cornerstone of Saucelito Canyon Vineyard. A.B. Hasbrouck bought a neighboring ranch in 1883, where he planted his own 30-acre vineyard and created St. Remy Winery, using grapes from both his own ranch and Rancho Saucelito. Hasbrouck passed away in 1915, the same year that his vineyard was destroyed by a phylloxera infestation. However, his wife Rosa kept producing wine with grapes from Rancho Saucelito until shutting the winery down shortly before Prohibition was enacted. THE MODERN ERA The modern wine industry in SLO Wine Country emerged in the 1970s. In 1973, the Goss family had the foresight to plant Chardonnay at Chamisal Vineyard in the Edna Valley. Concurrently, the Niven family planted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and other varietals at Paragon Vineyard. MacGregor Vineyard was planted in 1976 and is now the home of Wolff Vineyards. The success of these early plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir ignited SLO Wine Country s reputation as a world-class region for these varieties. In 1979, Lawrence Winery was established as the region s first modern winery, and the property is today home to Center of Effort Winery. Chamisal Vineyard began making its own wine in 1980, and Edna Valley Vineyard followed in 1981 as a partnership between Paragon Vineyard and Chalone Vineyard. Claiborne & Churchill Winery, Maison Deutz (now Laetitia Vineyard & Winery), Saucelito Canyon Vineyard and Talley Vineyards soon added further momentum to the local winemaking scene. These early wineries paved the way and put SLO Wine Country on the map. The 1990s and 2000s were a period of growth and maturation for SLO Wine Country as local vintners applied increasingly sophisticated winegrowing techniques and clonal selections. Vineyards were fine tuned or planted in enhanced accordance to the local growing conditions. New artisan wineries were established, bringing diversity and energy to the winemaking community. In the years since, the wines of SLO Wine Country have grown in both production and recognition, but the region has also retained its intimate nature. In the works is a prospective San Luis Obispo Coast AVA, which would entail a longer and wider growing area within the coastal part of San Luis Obispo County, between the coast and ridgeline of the Santa Lucia mountain range. Indeed, SLO Wine Country today remains home to fewer than three dozen wineries, all joined by a common ground and spirit. SLO WINE COUNTRY ASSOCIATION A Rich Viticultural History 7

10 Quick Facts SLO Wine Country s vineyards are predominantly located in the relatively small and contiguous American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) of the Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande Valley on the oceanfront side of the coastal mountain range. Vineyards are also found in neighboring coastal areas such as Avila Valley. VINEYARD ACREAGE Total vineyard acreage in SLO Wine Country is less than 5,000 acres, with the vast majority concentrated in Edna Valley (2,800 vineyard acres) and Arroyo Grande Valley (1,230 vineyard acres). CLIMATE Much of the region is classified as Region I, a designation applied to the world s coolest winegrowing areas. In the heart of SLO Wine Country, the average daily maximum temperature is 70 degrees. Average growing degree days * (GDD) range from 2343GDD (Edna Valley) to 2458GDD (Arroyo Grande Valley). Edna Valley is recognized as the coolest AVA in California **. *Amerine and Winkler Heat Summation Scale **Jones et al AJEV Western US Climates Study, 2010 VARIETIES More than 20 grape varieties are grown in SLO Wine Country. The cool-climate varieties of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir lead the way. Aromatic whites and Rhône varieties are also abundant, while other varieties such as Zinfandel thrive in warmer pockets of the region. ECONOMIC IMPACT Wine grapes represent the county s number one crop, with the San Luis Obispo Coastal wine region accounting for 11% of countywide wine production, with a net industry output of over $67M. The corresponding wines, wineries and visitor experiences have an exponentially significant impact on the local economy, with the SLO Wine region accounting for over 2000 agricultural jobs within the county. SOILS Primary local parent materials include marine rocks such as limestone, sandstone and shale. Granitic and volcanic rocks, as well as marine fossils, also occur in pockets, and it is not uncommon to see multiple parent materials within a single vineyard. SLO WINE COUNTRY ASSOCIATION Quick Facts 8

11 Visitor Experience: The SLO Life In SLO Wine Country, the water truly meets the wine. Indeed, the tasting rooms are just a short drive away from wide-open beaches and other coastal attractions. With a local regional airport and plenty of scenic backroads, there s plenty of natural rugged beauty to explore, including Morro Rock and majestic Hearst Castle. The ambiance here is so distinct that there s even a name for it: The SLO Life. Following are some of the high notes of the SLO Wine Country visitor experience: CLASSIC BEACH TOWNS The heart of SLO Wine Country is just five miles from the wide-open sands and festive atmosphere of downtown Pismo Beach. Just up the road, you will find the hamlets of Shell Beach and Avila Beach. These quintessential California beach towns combine a casual flip-flop lifestyle with a progressive taste for food and wine. Mild weather is the norm along this intimate piece of coastline, making it ideal for every kind of coastal pursuit, including diving, surfing, boating, kayaking and sunbathing. FRESH FLAVORS The famed downtown San Luis Obispo Farmers Market on Thursday nights is one of nearly a dozen farmers markets found in SLO Wine Country, all showcasing the region s farm-to-table lifestyle. Local crops include apples, apricots, pears, peppers, plums, persimmons and strawberries, and fresh seafood is plentiful along the coast. CULINARY ABUNDANCE SLO Wine Country s local flavors are showcased at restaurants around the region. From fine beachfront dining to funky local favorites, downtown bistros to eclectic wine bars, SLO Wine Country offers a dynamic culinary scene that appeals to wideranging tastes. Many local chefs place an emphasis on locally grown seasonal ingredients, making their dishes a perfect match for the wines of SLO Wine Country. GREAT OUTDOORS SLO Wine Country is renowned for its bike-friendly atmosphere, as evidenced by the City of San Luis Obispo s 34 miles of on-street bike lanes. Hiking is another popular pastime in SLO Wine Country. Our region s distinctive rock formations, or morros, such as Bishop s Peak and Cerro San Luis (a.k.a. Madonna Mountain) are among the many hiking options from the easy to the strenuous. DYNAMIC CULTURE The arts are an integral part of life in SLO Wine Country. Art galleries, arts festivals and live music abound in our region, and on the first Friday of each month, downtown San Luis Obispo comes alive with Art After Dark, where more than 20 galleries and non-traditional exhibit spaces spotlight an array of artists. Museums are also plentiful, including the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum and the San Luis Obispo Children s Museum. Mission San Luis Obispo presents a uniquely historical perspective, while the Point San Luis Lighthouse offers unforgettable tours. SLO WINE COUNTRY ASSOCIATION Visitor Experience: The SLO Life 9

12 About the SLO Wine Country Association The San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association is a trade group operated by the wineries of SLO Wine Country. Members and associate members collectively support and promote all that SLO Wine Country has to offer. The association also includes numerous associate members spanning the fields of lodging, touring, dining and professional services. The SLO Wine Country Association celebrated its 25 th anniversary in The San Luis Obispo Wine Country Association hosts two annual local events Roll Out The Barrels in the summer, and Harvest Celebration in the fall. ROLL OUT THE BARRELS For more than 20 consecutive years, the annual Roll Out The Barrels celebration has set the pace for good times, good vibes and good wines in San Luis Obispo County, including winery open houses, winemaker dinners and more. The festivities are crowned with a Thursday evening Barrels in The Plaza tasting adjacent to the historic Mission in downtown San Luis Obispo, with SLO Wine Country wineries teaming up with local chefs to offer a range of tasty pairings. HARVEST ON THE COAST The transcendent sights, scents and flavors of the wine country s signature season are showcased at the annual fall Harvest on The Coast weekend, a rambunctious extravaganza of local food and wine. The main event is an outdoor grand tasting and auction on Saturday, featuring wine tasting, artisan foods, live music and ocean views. The festivities unfold throughout the weekend with winemaker dinners on Friday evening and winery open houses on Sunday. Contact Heather Muran Executive Director heather@slowine.com (805) Media Contact Sean C. Weir & Malei Weir cw@mooncatcher.com (805) Learn more at SLOwine.com SLO WINE COUNTRY ASSOCIATION About 10

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