Day 13 | Santa Barbara County

Coastal Elegance

Santa Barbara County is a unique wine region in California, celebrated for its cool-climate wines and diverse terroir. Located along the Pacific coast, the region benefits from a rare east-west transverse valley, allowing the cool ocean breezes to penetrate deep inland, creating an ideal environment for growing a wide range of grape varieties.

What Makes Santa Barbara County Special

• Cool-Climate Influence The east-west orientation of the valleys allows cool marine air to flow freely through the region, resulting in a longer growing season and wines with vibrant acidity and complex aromas.

• Diverse Microclimates From the cooler, foggy areas of the Sta. Rita Hills to the warmer, sun-soaked vineyards of Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara County offers a remarkable diversity of microclimates that support a wide variety of grape varieties, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Sauvignon Blanc.

• Innovative Winemaking The region is home to a dynamic community of winemakers who are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in California winemaking, often focusing on small-batch, site-specific wines that reflect the unique terroirs of the region.

Interesting Fact Santa Barbara County itself is not an AVA, but it encompasses several AVAs within it. The specific AVAs within Santa Barbara County include:

• Sta. Rita Hills AVA

• Santa Maria Valley AVA

• Santa Ynez Valley AVA

• Ballard Canyon AVA

• Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA

• Los Olivos District AVA

Each of these AVAs has its own unique characteristics and contributes to the diversity of wines produced in Santa Barbara County

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Premium Subscriber Content - Exploring the Depths of Santa Barbara County

Terroir Insights Santa Barbara County’s terroir is as varied as it is unique. The region’s east-west transverse valleys are a geological rarity, funneling cool air and fog from the Pacific Ocean deep into the region. This creates a cool-climate environment perfect for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, particularly in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. In contrast, areas like the Santa Ynez Valley and Happy Canyon enjoy warmer temperatures, ideal for Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The soil types vary from sandy loam and clay to limestone and shale, further contributing to the complexity and character of the wines.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Santa Barbara County has become a benchmark for cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.