The Central Coast

Ranging from Santa Barbara north to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Central Coast wine region extends 300 miles along California’s Pacific coastline. To craft Smith & Hook wines, we focus on five unique warmer regions ideal for developing rich, bold Cabernet Sauvignon, smooth Proprietary Blends and bright and crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

The Vineyards

Arroyo Seco

Translating to “dry riverbed,” Arroyo Seco begins in a steep, narrow gorge at the foot of the Santa Lucia Mountain range and extends east to the Salinas Valley. With a cooler climate, the AVA straddles a gravelly, dry riverbed that yields fruit with balanced acidity and tannins, contributing structure and backbone to the finished wine.

AVA ACRES:

7,000 Acres

ELEVATION RANGE:

266 to 1,670 feet

CABERNET CHARACTERISTICS:

Backbone & structure

Paso Robles

Once home to farms and cattle ranches, Paso Robles is a warm expanse of sunbaked, oak-studded hills. Due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, vines see consistently hot, dry days with plenty of sunshine, followed by fog and coastal influences that cool the vines down at night.

AVA ACRES:

40,000 Acres

ELEVATION RANGE:

700 to 2,400 feet

CABERNET CHARACTERISTICS:

Bing cherry notes

Truesdale Vineyard

A part of the Highlands District of Paso Robles AVA, Truesdale vineyard’s deep inland location at 1,442 ft elevation and the south-facing slope create the ideal terroir for producing expressive, intensely flavored Cabernet Sauvignon fruit.

ACRES:

125

VARIETIES:

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

ELEVATION:

1,442 -1,560 ft

COMPOSITION:

Well-drained Arbuckle sandy loam, Cammata loam, and Jenks clay loam soils

San Antonio Valley

Sheltered from coastal influences by the Santa Lucia Mountains, this higher-elevation warm and dry valley ensures a long growing season for Cabernet fruit that develops rich plum and currant flavors.

AVA ACRES:

800 Acres

ELEVATION RANGE:

587 to 2,789 feet

CABERNET CHARACTERISTICS:

Rich fruit flavors

Hames Valley

Located along the southernmost tip of Monterey County at the foot of the Santa Lucia Mountains, Hames Valley’s warmer climate promises dark skin color and flavor in its Cabernet, yielding intense blackberry and spice aromas.

AVA ACRES:

2,200 Acres

ELEVATION RANGE:

472 to 1,289 feet

CABERNET CHARACTERISTICS:

Spice & tannins

San Benito County

Wedged between the Gabilan and Diablo mountain ranges in the rolling hills northeast of Monterey, San Benito County’s moderate climate and cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean contribute to a longer growing season, yielding firm structure and balanced flavors.

AVA VINEYARDS:

3,000 Acres

CABERNET CHARACTERISTICS:

Firm structure & balance

WHERE TO BUY

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