The Central Coast is now the epicenter of the biggest growth in organically certified vineyards, with more than 1,444 acres of acres newly certified in 2020, 2021 and through Oct. 4 of 2022.
That's in addition to Scheid Vineyards in Monterey County which has announced they're transitioning 3,000 acres to organic certification. They completed certification on their first blocks in 2021 and now have 760 certified acres of vines.
Adding their vines to the Paso and SBC vineyard acres below makes the total for the Central Coast's new organic acreage 2,204 acres.
To put that in context, Napa and Mendocino each have roughly 4,000 acres of organic vines.
PASO ROBLES LEADING GROWTH
The largest increase was 472 planted organic acres at the Miller Family's huge French Camp vineyard (1,700 planted acres total) in the Paso Robles Highlands District in 2020. They subsequently announced the launch of their new organically grown wine brand, Reciprocity Wine, this week.
That makes them the second largest organic production vineyard, after Scheid, in the region.
Though that is remarkable, it is also significant to see how much fine wine players throughout the region are gaining ground, outpacing increases in Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino by far. That's due in part to the (relatively) cheaper price of land in the Central Coast.
The fine wine vineyards in Paso added 300 acres in 2021 and 90 acres to date in 2022 for a total of 390 + 472 = 862 acres.
2020
French Camp - 472 acres
2021
• Adelaida - 160 acres
• Booker - 60 acres
• Law Estate - 80 acres
2022
• Jada Vineyards and Winery - 59 acres
• Old Oak Vineyard (grower) - 31 acres
Certified Winery
In addition, Tablas Creek, one of the largest organic and biodynamic producers in Paso, certified its winery so it can make certified wines (and bottle label them) from organic vines. They will be labeled with Regenerative Organic Certification.
Castoro Cellars
Already the biggest organic grower and vintner in Paso with 1,400 certified organic acres, Castoro is in the process of converting 200 more acres near Creston. Its wines are already certified "Made with Organic Grapes."
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY - STOLPMAN AND SEA SMOKE LEAD GROWTH WITH THE HILT NOT FAR BEHIND
The most remarkable story in SBC is that Stolpman, once an organic scofflaw, is newly certified, so consumers can be sure the winery's organic claims are now valid. It is also the largest organic vineyard owning vintner now.
Total of all newly certified organic vines in SBC is 582 acres (2020, 2021 and through Oct. 4 in 2022).
2022
Ballard Canyon
• Stolpman - 181 acres
• Jonata - 80 acres
Santa Ynez
• Baseline (Turning Tide) - 10
Vintner Alisa Jacobson has just certified the first of her two estate vineyards. Baseline, which she planted, completed the process. She is also getting her 17 acre Mora vineyard certified as well and has distribution deals for wines "Made with Organic Grapes" with Whole Foods.
2021
Sta. Rita Hills
• Sea Smoke - 170 acres (recertified)
In addition The Hill, a partner of Jonata, has 200 planted acres in Sta. Rita Hills, that are in transition to organic certification.
Santa Maria Valley
• Presqu'il - 73 acres
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