Santa Maria Valley is unusual for California in that it runs east-west rather than north-south, funnelling cool Pacific fog and wind directly inland and keeping the growing season long and moderate. That makes it one of the state's most reliable sources of cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, grown on some of California's oldest continuously producing vineyard sites.

Key grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah