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Located in the heart of the San Luis Obispo Coast just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, the Edna Valley is one of California's oldest designated American Viticultural Areas and yet it somehow still remains largely under the radar on an international scale. This picturesque stretch of land sits between the cities of San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande directly inland from Pismo Beach, and just so happens to boast absolutely ideal terroir for cool climate viticulture.
Topographically the Edna Valley benefits from its unique position at the northern end of a rare transverse mountain range, and these mountains act like a funnel for cold ocean air which sweeps into vineyards to help slow ripening and retain precious acidity. Its cool and dry Mediterranean climate combined with its southerly latitude provide the Enda Valley with one of the longest growing seasons on the planet, and this added hangtime the grapes are allowed to experience helps tremendously with flavor development.
Soils in the Edna Valley are also particularly special and are perfectly suited to making world class wine. Both limestone and volcanic rock, two of the most ultra-desirable soil components on earth for viticulture, are found commonly through this region - sometimes even within the same vineyard - and help shape wines with incredible elegance, complexity, and minerality.
While there are a wide range of different grape varieties planted throughout the Edna Valley, traditionally Pinot Noir and Chardonnay have been thought of as the area's marquee grapes. Edna Valley Pinot Noir often boasts an expressive and highly aromatic fruit profile bursting with complex red fruits, and the best examples can easily age for 10-20 years where they will develop Burgundy-like notes of forest floor and leather. Chardonnay from the Edna Valley tends to possess classic California ripeness yet with more tension and significantly higher acidity than from warmer regions, and it also is notable for giving off hints of sea spray-like salinity and minerality alongside a range of unmistakably clean earthy notes. Recently other cooler climate white grape varieties like Grüner Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, and Albariño have also begun to make a splash in the region, and examples of these varieties often succeed in combining ripe California fruit with the energy and finesse of their unique cool climate site.
The Edna Valley may be a relatively small region compared to places like Napa, Sonoma, or even Paso Robles, yet it contains a wide range of both small and large wineries to explore. Visitors looking to check out the region in person will be thrilled to find that many wineries are located along one of the area's two main roads, and getting from one tasting room to another is often fast and easy.
The Edna Valley's natural beauty, exceptional quality of wine, and reasonable proximity to both Los Angeles and the Bay Area make it an outstanding choice to visit for those looking to plan their next wine vacation. We'd highly recommend staying near the beach in Pismo or around downtown San Luis Obispo for those looking for an even more incredible experience during their stay!
