Paso Robles Willow Creek District AVA

Paso Robles Willow Creek District is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in San Luis Obispo County, California and lies within the multi-county Central Coast AVA. It was established on October 8, 2014, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petitions submitted in 2007 by the Paso Robles American Viticultural Area Committee (PRAVAC) to establish 11 new viticultural areas located entirely within the existing Paso Robles viticultural area adjacent to the northern boundary of San Luis Obispo County. The proposed viticultural areas were: Adelaida District, Creston District, El Pomar District, Paso Robles Estrella District, Paso Robles Geneseo District, Paso Robles Highlands District, Paso Robles Willow Creek District, San Juan Creek, San Miguel District, Santa Margarita Ranch, and Templeton Gap District.

The Paso Robles Willow Creek District viticultural area is located west of Highway 101 and also the towns of Paso Robles and Templeton which are on its route. It is sandwiched between the viticultural areas of Adelaida District to the north and the Templeton Gap District to the south, while its western boundary abuts the Santa Lucia Range which also outlines Paso Robles viticultural area's western border. Willow Creek also is the name of the central geographic feature that dominates its landscape. The distinguishing features of the Paso Robles Willow Creek District viticultural area include a strong marine influence, an average annual precipitation of 24 to 30 inches (610–760 mm), a cool Winkler Region II growing season climate, and a mountainous landscape with elevations of 960 to 1,900 feet (290–580 m).