42,880 acre AVA located in central California about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. It’s southwest of San Luis Obispo, encompasses the town of Arroyo Grande, and extends to the northeast. The western part of the area has a long cool growing season, a Region I rating (see CLIMATE REGIONS OF CALIFORNIA), but the eastern part of the area is warmer and falls into Region III. CHARDONNAY is the most popular variety by a considerable amount, followed by PINOT NOIR and other grapes like CABERNET SAUVIGNON, SAUVIGNON BLANC, SÉMILLON, and ZINFANDEL.