Lone Oak Vineyard is in the northern portion of the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Wine grapes were first planted in this region in 1790 by Spanish missionaries. However, it wasn't until 1991 that the Santa Lucia Highlands was granted AVA status. The Lone Oak Vineyard is relatively close to Monterey Bay, and the strong afternoon maritime breezes, along with morning fog, influence the wines toward a classically structured Pinot. Vineyards farther south in the region tend to produce wines that are more bold. The Santa Lucia Highlands region has a very long growing season, which results in grapes that mature slowly, and thus reach full physiological maturity before the sugar levels are elevated to the proper level for harvest. This creates grapes that yield wine with complex flavor profiles.