San Francisco Bay

San Francisco Bay is one of California’s “mega” appellations, covering more than 1.4 million acres and including the city of San Francisco.  Coastal fog and winds from San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean often blanket the region, creating classic grape growing conditions.  The warm days and cool nights provide a longer than usual growing season, and the well-drained gravel soil reduces vigor in the vines and increases flavor concentration in the fruit.

As a sprawling sub-appellation within the Central Coast AVA, San Francisco Bay includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties.  It holds 5,000 acres of planted vineyards and more than 180 wineries, ranging from small start-ups to historic leaders of the California wine industry.  Chardonnay is the most widely planted variety, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  Syrah and Petite Sirah also show great promise. Approximately one percent of the total wine grape tonnage comes from this area.