San Juan Creek

 One of the eleven sub appellations in the Paso Robles Viticultural area this viticultural area is located along San Juan Creek, a tributary to the Estrella River.  The source of the creek is the Temblor Range that runs from the northwest to the southeast in San Luis Opisbo and Kern Counties.  The viticultural area follows the creek from Shandon and then along the steep canyons of the Temblor Range.  The region is shielded from marine influence by both the Temblor and Santa Lucia Ranges with elevations ranging from 980 to 1,600 feet above sea level.  The area has a more continental climate that is warmer and drier than the surrounding regions.  San Juan Creek receives approximately 10.4  inches of precipitation per year and receives nearly 3,400 Growing Degree Days which makes it ideally suited for warmer climate grapes such as those from the Rhone Valley, Italy, Spain and Portugal such as Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel The soils are formed from the alluvium that was formed by the San Juan Creek, the Cholame Creek and the Estrella River valleys.