The Bench Vineyard

Central Valley

Away from the dramatically cooling influence of the Pacific Ocean, Central Valley is California's breadbasket, where much of the country's fruit, vegetables, nuts and grapes are grown. Bathed in sunshine and growing in fertile soils, Central Valley spreads 400 miles from Sacramento to Fresno. Because of its heat, the region produces abundant Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon, which soak up the sun and transform it into dense, deeply colored wine. In the region's cooler AVAs—those that lie around the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, such as Lodi—higher acid grapes like Chenin Blanc, Colombard, Barbera and Chardonnay grow with great success.