
Santa Maria Valley Wine Central Coast, California
Learn about Santa Maria Valley wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more ...
A lesser-known but elite AVA within the larger Santa Barbara district, the Santa Maria Valley AVA runs precisely west to east starting near the coast. The valley funnels cool, Pacific Ocean air to the vineyards more inland, allowing grapes a longer hang time to ripen evenly and achieve their full potential by harvest time. Combined with minimal rainfall, consistent warm sunshine, and well-drained soils, it is an ideal environment for grape growing.
Many of the wineries here are small and highly respected, having established a reputation in the 1970s and 80s for producing excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. More recently, Syrah has also proven quite successful in the region. Many vineyards are owned by growers who sell their grapes to other wineries, so it is common to see the same vineyard name on bottlings from different wineries. Bien Nacido Vineyard is perhaps the best-known and most prestigious.
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Belle Glos Clark and Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WW
- WE
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Kendall-Jackson Jackson Estate Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WW
- WS
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Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay 2020Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WE
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J Wilkes Pinot Blanc 2019Pinot Blanc from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- TP
- WE
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Foxen Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2020Chenin Blanc from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
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J Wilkes Pinot Noir 2018Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- JD
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Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir (375ML half-bottle) 2020Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WE
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Optik Block 11D3 Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard 2019Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- JD
- WS
- SJ
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Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Syrah 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- W&S
- RP
- JD
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Foxen Block UU Bien Nacido Chardonnay 2018Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- JD
- WE
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Foxen Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2017Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- JD
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Sanctuary Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WW
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Tyler Winery Bien Nacido W Block Chardonnay 2017Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- RP
- D
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Foxen Block 43 Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- V
- JD
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Paul Lato Le Souvenir Sierra Madre Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- JD
- V
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Paul Lato Ora et Labora Bien Nacido Vineyard Grenache 2018Grenache from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- JD
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Cambria Tepusquet Vineyard Viognier 2018Viognier from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- RP
- WE
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Au Bon Climat Pinot Blanc/Pinot Gris 2020Other White Blends from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- CG
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Chanin Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay 2020Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
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Optik Block 11D1 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WE
- SJ
- JD
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Foxen Bien Nacido Block Eight Pinot Noir 2017Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- TP
- JD
- WE
- W&S
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Paul Lato Suerte Solomon Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- JD
- V
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Au Bon Climat La Bauge Au Dessus Pinot Noir 2017Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
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Solomon Hills Estate Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley, Central Coast, California
- WE
- JD