Central Coast - Wine Region of the Day

The Central Coast was designated as an AVA in 1985. Situated across 280 miles from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, the Central Coast is home to sub-appellations Arroyo Grande Valley, Arroyo Seco, Ballard Canyon, Ben Lomond Mountain, Carmel Valley, Chalone, Cienega Valley, Edna Valley, Hames Valley, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, Lime Kiln Valley, Livermore Valley, Monterey, Mt. Harlan, Pacheco Pass, Paicines, Paso Robles, San Antonio Valley, San Benito, San Bernabe, San Francisco Bay, San Lucas, San Ysidro District, Santa Clara Valley, Santa Cruz Mountains, Santa Lucia Highlands, Santa Maria Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Ynez Valley, and York Mountain. The Central Coast is so vast that it features a variety of soil types and microclimates across its sub-appellations. The most common vines planted across the Central Coast are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.

Ballard Canyon - Wine Region of the Day

---

Ballard Canyon received its designation as an AVA in 2013. Situated on 7,800 acres, Ballard Canyon is a sub-appellation of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA and is centered around the Santa Ynez Valley. The soils in the Ballard Canyon are made up of sand and clay loam with good drainage. Cool ocean breezes flow into the Santa Ynez Valley from the Pacific Ocean via a gap between the Santa Rita hills, but the hills surrounding Ballard Canyon protects the vineyards here from the harshness of the winds. Ballard Canyon has more gentle weather patterns than the windy, cool-climate in its neighboring Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Ballard Canyon is known for its production of Syrah, Grenache, Sangiovese, and Roussanne.