OUR VINEYARDS
There are few areas in the world that have the ideal climate and soil conditions for producing fine wines. These areas are drawn up into legally protected wine regions called appellations. Our vineyards are located within the internationally recognized Paso Robles Appellation.
The hot summer days and very cool summer nights of our ripening season enable the winegrapes to mature to a full, fruity ripeness, while at the same time preserving their delicate bouquet. This hot-summer-day/cool-summer-night effect tends to be more pronounced in our vineyards, since we are located in the northern gateway of the appellation. As mid-day approaches, the temperature will often climb into the triple-digits in this unique location. This creates a hot-air mass that unites with the huge hot-air mass of the San Joaquin Valley, about forty miles to the east. As the air gradually grows hotter, it begins rising off the valley floor, thus creating a convection effect. As more and more air is drawn into the valley to fill the void created by this giant convection, cool marine air drawn in through the Salinas Valley, just to the north of us, begins to drift across our vineyards, resulting in a dramatic drop in temperature by late afternoon. Our vineyards are located on a terrace about one-hundred feet above the southern reaches of the Salinas River, directly in the path of this natural breezeway. Here at Locatelli Vineyards it is not uncommon to witness a temperature drop of fifty degrees Fahrenheit or more in just a few hours during the summertime.
We have forty acres of CSWA certified vineyards, which consists mostly of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Sirah; with smaller plantings of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Zinfandel.