The City bills itself as the Wine Capital of Monterey County for good reason. It is at the center of the Salinas Valley’s wine industry, one of the top wine grape growing regions in the state due, in large part, to the mild Mediterranean climate.
In addition to the wine industry, either key businesses include agricultural farming and food processing, plus agricultural tourism.The population has grown steadily since its beginnings in 1874. Today, more than 8,400 residents call it home. Recently, the City implemented The Gonzales Way Program, a framework that supports raising happy, healthy, successful children.