In California's Santa Lucia Highlands, the Pacific Ocean acts as a silent partner in the vineyard. Winegrower Gary Franscioni explains the crucial role that wind and fog play in shaping the character of his Roar Wines. He tells Staff Writer & Taster Brian Freedman that the daily fog, rolling in from Monterey Bay "like clockwork," is nature's air conditioner. This effect is so localized that his Sierra Mar Vineyard and Rosella's Vineyard, just seven miles apart, experience vastly different conditions, amounting to a 260-hour difference in fog exposure over a growing season. This extended cooling period has a profound impact on the grapes, shaping the distinct personality of each single-vineyard wine.
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