Bien Nacido (Santa Maria Valley AVA)

For over 50 years, Bien Nacido Estate has epitomized the remarkable impact of the Santa Maria Valley AVA on wine. The estate was originally part of the Rancho Tepusquet land grant established in 1837 before California became part of the United States. In the early 1970s, brothers Stephen and Bob Miller were inspired by the area’s undulating hillsides and one-of-a-kind maritime weather, which led them to plant and form Bien Nacido Estate. 
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The singular climate of the Santa Maria Valley eventually inspired the formation of its namesake AVA. Defined by rare transverse mountain ranges, which run east to west rather than north to south, Santa Maria is characterized by maritime winds that blow straight into the vineyards, blanketing the vines in thick fog each day. The cooling effect of these winds gives the Santa Maria Valley AVA one of the longest growing seasons in California. As a result, varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah develop slowly, gradually acquiring the complex compounds that yield sophisticated, elegant wines. 
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At Bien Nacido Estate, a combination of the Santa Maria Valley AVA’s defining features, plus high elevation and rocky shale soils, lead to wines of incomparable character and quality. Morning visitors to Bien Nacido can experience the AVA’s signature fog firsthand as it lies in the vineyards surrounding the tasting room. Vibrant sunshine begins to chase away the fog in the late morning, epitomizing the bright yet elegant nature of Bien Nacido wines and the charm of the Santa Maria Valley AVA. 

Highlights: 

• Taste the impact of an extended California growing season.
• Discover the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA’s rare transverse valley.
• Experience one of the world’s most renowned single-vineyard sites.

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