Paicines AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1982 |
| Years of wine industry | 170 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, San Benito County, San Benito AVA |
| Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, San Benito County, San Benito AVA | Cienega Valley AVA, Lime Kiln Valley AVA, Mt. Harlan AVA |
| Growing season | 184 days |
| Climate region | Region II |
| Heat units | 2,750 GDD units |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 12 to 15 in (300–380 mm) |
| Total area | 11,367 acres (18 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | approx 4,500 acres (1,800 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 1 |
| Grapes produced | Assyrtiko, Arneis, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Syrah, Verdejo |
| No. of wineries | 2 |
Paicines is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in southwestern San Benito County, California named after the quaint town of Paicines within the wine region. It is a sub-appellation within the vast multi-county Central Coast viticultural area and the San Benito AVA located in the central part of the county. It was established on August 16, 1982 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Almadén Vineyards to establish a viticultural area in San Benito County, California, to be named "Paicines."
Paicines viticultural area encompasses a valley area separated from Monterey County by the Gabilan Mountain Range, which is home to the Gabilan Mountain and Chalone viticultural areas further south. It is about 17 mi (27 km) of Pinnacles National Park and consists of about 4,500 acres (1,800 ha) of grape-growing area. On the western side are the Cienega Valley vineyards and the Gabilan Mountain Range which separates Paicines from San Lucas and King City. The San Luis Dam and Pacheco are on the northeast side, with New Idria and the Panoche Valley are on the eastern edge. The San Benito River forms a portion of the western boundary and continues on through the vineyards. The Paicines area is warmer than other nearby viticultural areas in San Benito County, but cooler than the wine appellations in the Central Valley.