The Santa Lucia Highlands is located at the northwestern edge of the Salinas Valley on east-facing slopes from 40 to 1200 feet. Cool Pacific breezes transiting the Salinas Valley create a long growing season and make this an ideal area for cool climate grapes such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The area was initially planted in the 1970s by pioneers such as Rich and Claudia Smith at Paraiso, the McFarland Family at Sleepy Hollow, Phil Johnson at La Estancia and Nicky Hahn at Smith & Hook. In addition to resident wineries, several non-resident wineries such as Copain, Capiaux, Kosta Browne, Loring, and Patz & Hall make award-winning wines from Santa Lucia Highland grapes. There are approximately ten wineries in the Santa Lucia Highlands with about half of them open for tasting.