San Lucas AVA

San Lucas AVA ( recognized since 29 January 1987) is an American Viticultural Area in the U.S. state of California. The area is located south of the Administrative Region Monterey County. The protected designation of origin is part of the larger Monterey AVA and is defined by the Salinas River and the west by the Santa Lucia Mountains to the east. In the north of the San Bernabe AVA lies and east of the situated at the southernmost end of the Salinas Valley area close to the Chalone AVA. The appellation benefits from an early shading of vineyards by the Santa Lucia Mountains so that the difference between day and Nachttemtperaturen is very pronounced. This can thrive despite the warm climate early ripening varieties such as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The owner of the currently largest contiguous vineyard, the San Bernabe vineyard has tried to own recognition as a wine region.