| Santa Lucia Highlands AVA | |
| Caption: | A Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands |
| Type: | American Viticultural Area |
| Year: | 1990[1] |
| Country: | United States |
| Part Of: | California, Central Coast AVA, Monterey AVA |
| Total Size: | 22000acres |
| Planted: | 2300acres[3] |
| Grapes: | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Syrah, Viognier |
The Santa Lucia Highlands AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Monterey County, California. It is part of the larger Monterey AVA, and located in the Santa Lucia Mountains above the Salinas Valley. Over 2300acres of vineyards are planted in the AVA, some as high as 1200feet above sea level, with about half of them planted to the Pinot noir grape. The region enjoys cool morning fog and breezes from Monterey Bay followed by warm afternoons thanks to direct southern exposures to the sun.[3]
The Santa Lucia Highlands is also home to one of the vineyards that Wine Enthusiast Magazine named a California "Grand Cru" vineyard, as a recognition of the locations that produce the highest-quality wine grapes. The Sleepy Hollow Vineyard is owned by Talbott Vineyards and grow grapes for Talbott wines.[4]
The River Road Wine Trail runs along the length of this AVA.