Located in the central Salinas Valley of the Monterey County, Arroyo Seco or the ‘dry creek’, has a transitional climate with cool, foggy weather to the northwest of the AVA and warmer dryer conditions to the southeast.
The warmer southwestern part of the region is more sheltered from wind, where a steep narrow canyon slices into the Santa Lucia Mountains. Soils found in the canyon are not very fertile, forcing the roots of the vines to dig deep for survival. Here excellent Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah are produced. This region also has high humidity that has enabled Botrytis Cinerea infected dessert wines to be made in favorable vintages.
The canyon widens and ends to the northeast of the Arroyo Seco AVA in the more fertile Salinas Valley where old riverbeds have left distinctive, gravelly, sandy loam soils. Large river stones aid drainage on the more fertile valley floor as well as retaining warmth from the sun during the day, to be radiated back to the vines though the much cooler nights. The stones are part of the secret to the fleshy fruit flavors and fresh acidity found in the Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewurztraminer wines for which this region is renowned. Pinot Noir also thrives in this cooler part of the AVA.
The quality of grapes produced in the region has prompted many outside producers to source their grapes from Arroyo Seco.
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