| Wine region | |
 | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1987[1] 2004 Amended[2] |
| Years of wine industry | 54[3] |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County, Monterey AVA |
| Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Monterey County, Monterey AVA | Arroyo Seco AVA, Hames Valley AVA, San Bernabe AVA, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA |
| Climate region | Region III-IV[3] |
| Heat units | 3734 GDD[3] |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 10 to 20 in (254–508 mm)[1] |
| Soil conditions | Lockwood, Oceano, Metz, Garey, Greenfield and Snelling-Greenfield series complex loams[3] |
| Total area | 33,920 acres (53 sq mi)[1] 32,639 acres (51 sq mi)[2] |
| Size of planted vineyards | 1987: 5,000 acres (2,023 ha)[1] Current: 8,000 acres (3,237 ha)[4] |
| No. of vineyards | 8[4] |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot noir, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah[5] |
San Lucas is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in vicinity of the town of San Lucas between King City and San Ardo in southern Monterey County, California. It lies within the southern end of the fertile Salinas Valley. The appellation was recognized on March 7, 1987 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Almadèn Vineyards of San Jose, California, for the establishment of a viticultural area named "San Lucas."[6] Based on the data submitted by the petitioner for vineyards near King City and San Lucas for the 11-year period 1974 to 1984, ATF concluded that the microclimate of the San Lucas Viticultural Area is the chief characteristic which distinguishes the area from other adjoining areas.[1]
The boundary of San Lucas viticultural area encompasses approximately 33,920 acres (53 sq mi). The area spreads approximately 10 by 5 miles (16 by 8 km) on a northwest-southeast axis bisected by U.S. Highway 101 as the Salinas River flows north 155 miles (249 km) from its source in San Luis Obispo County through Monterey County into Monterey Bay. At the northern end of the appellation, the elevation of the Salinas River is approximately 340 feet (104 m) above sea level while at the southern end, the elevation of the Salinas River rises approximately 435 feet (133 m) above sea level. The proposed San Lucas viticultural area included the entire San Lucas Land Grant as well as the southern quarter of the San Benito Land Grant and the northern half of the San Bernardo Land Grant. The petition identified approximately 5,000 acres (2,023 ha) devoted to the cultivation of wine grapes. Vineyards locations range from alluvial fans and terraces over 350 feet (107 m) above sea level to low-lying hills having maximal elevations of 800 feet (244 m) above sea level. San Lucas is entirely within the expanse of the previously established Monterey viticultural area.[1]
In 2004, the 24,796 acres (39 sq mi) San Bernabe viticultural area with 7,636 acres (3,090 ha) of vineyards was established adjacent to the northern border of San Lucas AVA. The realignment of the San Lucas transferred 1,281 acres (2 sq mi) of rolling, sandy land from its northwestern area to the southern San Bernabe area. This adjustment avoided splitting a large vineyard between the two areas, preventing overlapping boundaries and simply creating a common boundary line between the two AVAs.[2]
- ^ a b c d e f "San Lucas Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 T.D. ATF-248: RE: Notice No. 601] Final Rule). Federal Register. 52 (19). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury: 2943–2946. January 29, 1987.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c "San Bernabe and San Lucas Viticultural Areas (2001R–170P)" (27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. TTB–14; Re: Notice No. 8] RIN 1513–AA28 Final Rule). Federal Register. 69 (124). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury: 38834–38837. June 29, 2004. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c d "San Lucas Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [Notice No. 601] Proposed Rules). Federal Register. 51 (159). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Department of the Treasury: 29478–29482. August 18, 1986. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b "Monterey Wine Country" (AVA’s (American Viticultural Area)). Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association. 2024.
- ^ "San Lucas (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2007. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
- ^ "Petition to Establish KING CITY and SAN LUCAS as Viticultural Appellations". TTB.gov. Almadèn Vineyards. August 10, 1984.
