Paicines Terrain (Back to overview)
Paicines is the least elevated and warmest any AVA in San Benito County. But the region’s terrain is the main reason that the climate is moderate. The northern hills act as a funnel for cool, coastal air that moves through the area on its way to San Joaquin Valley.
The Soil & Terrain of Paicines Wine Country
The soil in Paicines is very sandy and does not contain much clay or organic matter. Rainfall is very scarce, and the soil drains well. There is also a lot of gravel and pebbles in the region, as well as some limestone. The sand, gravel, and pebbles in the AVA are the result of alluvial flows and the San Benito River.
The Gabilan Mountains border the region to the west. This mountain range contains a lot of limestone and decomposed granite. The other AVAs in San Benito County, Mount Harlan, Cienega Valley, and Lime Kiln, are located at higher elevations closer to the Gabilan Mountains. The elevation of Paicines is 500 to 1,200 feet above sea level.
Because of its distance from the Gabilans, the annual rainfall is only about 12 to 15 inches a year. Again, the other San Benito AVAs get more precipitation. In general, Paicines is relatively sheltered. It is rarely affected by evening fog, but when there is enough fog to reach the region, it does not dissipate as quickly.
San Benito Wineries
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