Zinfandel Sirah), Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Mission and Muscat. While most vineyards are now fully segregated, California winemakers continue to use other grapes (particularly Petite Sirah) in their Zinfandel wines. Zinfandel is grown on approximately 11% of California's vineyard land area. Around 400,000 short tons (350,000 tonnes) are crushed each year, depending on the harvest, placing Zinfandel third behind Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon and just ahead of Merlot. In California, 20% of the Zinfandel-growing counties hold 80% of the Zinfandel growing area; however, major producing areas such as San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, and Madera County produce Zinfandel primarily for blends or
Creston District AVA acres with 1,365 planted in vineyards. It lies on an old erosional plateau at the base of the La Panza Range with alluvial terraces and fans of Huerhuero Creek. The area is in elevation. Average annual rainfall is . The district's soils consist of old, well developed terrace and hillside soils; mix of granite and sedimentary rock. The most widely planted varieties in the Creston District AVA are Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Zinfandel, Merlot, Petite Sirah. Creston District AVA Creston District AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in the south east portion of the Paso Robles AVA in San Luis