San Lucas
Located on the southwestern edge of Salinas Valley, the San Lucas AVA is comprised of sweeping alluvial fans and terraces. Since the mid 1800’s, this land at the southern end of Monterey County served as an open range for cattle grazing. It wasn’t until 1970 that the first vines were planted. Today, more than 8,000 acres are cultivated for grapegrowing.
Unlike other AVAs in Monterey County, San Lucas is much less affected by breezes off Monterey Bay. This results in a warmer overall climate during the daytime. With elevations ranging from 325 to 1250 feet, San Lucas is susceptible to morning fog. Temperatures often fluctuate as much as 40 degrees during the summer from day to night. This temperature swing is one of the contributing factors to the longer growing season here, giving the fruit time develop a full body and flavor.
The soil is composed of diatomaceous shale and various sizes of sand stone. This allows for proper air circulation around the root system and offers less resistance to growing roots when compared to harder clay-like soils. Wines produced from San Lucas grapes possess brilliant color to match their rich flavor. Varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
| Name of AVA: | San Lucas |
|---|---|
| AVA Approval: | 1987 |
| Acres Planted: | 8,000 |
| Climate: | Moderate to warm, some coastal influence. |
| Dominant Soils: | Lockwood Shaly Loam, Snelling-Greenfield Complex |
| Min/Max Elevations: | 325ft/1,250ft |