Paso Robles AVA
| Wine region | |
Paso Robles vineyard | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1983 1996 Extension 2009 Expansion |
| Years of wine industry | 228 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, San Luis Obispo County |
| Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, San Luis Obispo County | York Mountain AVA, Edna Valley AVA, Arroyo Grande Valley AVA, San Luis Obispo (SLO) Coast |
| Sub-regions | Adelaida District AVA, Creston District AVA, El Pomar District AVA, Paso Robles Estrella District AVA, Paso Robles Geneseo District AVA, Paso Robles Highlands District AVA, Paso Robles Willow Creek District AVA, San Juan Creek AVA, San Miguel District AVA, Santa Margarita Ranch AVA, Templeton Gap District AVA |
| Climate region | Region II, III |
| Heat units | 3001-3500 GDDs |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 10 to 25 in (250–640 mm) |
| Soil conditions | Primarily, bedrock composed of weathered granite, volcanic and marine sedimentary rocks overlayed with sandstone, mudstone or calcareous shales. |
| Total area | 614,000 acres (959 sq mi) 1996: 52,618 acres (82 sq mi) added 2009: 2,635 acres (4 sq mi) added |
| Size of planted vineyards | 40,000 acres (16,000 ha)
1983: 5,000 acres (2,000 ha) 1996: 235 acres (95 ha) added 2009: 1,000 acres (400 ha) added |
| No. of vineyards | 172 |
| Grapes produced | There are more than 40 wine grape varieties such as Albarino, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Counoise, Grenache, Grenache blanc, Malbec, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Orange Muscat, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Picpoul, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Tannat, Tempranillo, Tinta Cao, Viognier, and Zinfandel |
| Varietals produced | 60 |
| No. of wineries | over 200 |
Paso Robles is the third American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, California. The state's 29th AVA was established by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury on October 4, 1983 after reviewing the petition submitted by Martin Brothers Winery accompanied by 51 signatures of local grape-growers and wineries proposing a viticultural area named "Paso Robles." The AVA encompasses 609,673 acres (953 sq mi) with approximately 18,500 acres (7,487 ha) cultivated with wine grapes known for their heritage varietal Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Rhône-style wines.