Monterey County is located in California’s Central Coast. The region is often associated with the natural beauty of its rugged coastline, oceanside villages and spectacular golf courses. Largely unplanted with vines until the early 1960s, an explosion of activity thrust Monterey County onto the global wine scene by the mid-1970s. Vineyards were planted in long rows along the floor of the agriculturally-important Salinas Valley and unique microclimates were found throughout the region. Today, this Central Coast county is one of the great bastions of cool-climate viticulture. The bulk of its 40,000 vineyard acres is located in the 80-mile long valley on the county’s eastern boundary. Monterey County is home to seven AVAs, each distinct and deserving its own voice. They are Chalone, Arroyo Seco, Santa Lucia Highlands, San Lucas, Hames Valley, Carmel Valley and the large Monterey AVA encompassing the Salinas Valley. San Bernabe, Delicato Winery's immense estate vineyard south of King City, is destined to become the county's next AVA.