Santa Ynez Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Santa Ynez Valley

Santa Ynez Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1983. Sitting on 42,880 acres, the Santa Ynez Valley is the largest growing region in Santa Barbara County. The soils range from gravelly loams and clay loams to shale and silty clay loams. All soils in the valley have excellent drainage. The topography of the growing regions varies from 200 to 1,500 feet above sea level, with the differing climates following the changing elevations. The western end of the Valley is cooled by morning fog and breezes off of the Pacific Ocean. The eastern end of the valley is considerably warmer and higher in elevation. Cool climate varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the dominant vines on the western side of the valley while Rhone varietals, namely Syrah, thrive in Santa Ynez Valley's eastern end.

Los Olivos District - Wine Region of the Day

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Los Olivos

The Los Olivos District is located in Santa Barbara County of California within the townships of Ballard, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Solvang.  The general formation of the district is the wide alluvial plain formed by the Santa Ynez river that slopes gently southward.  The climate is moderate with little marine influence.  Grapes grown in the region are from Bordeaux and Rhone.

Sta. Rita Hills - Wine Region of the Day

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Sta. Rita Hills

Sta. Rita Hills received its designation as an AVA in 2001, under the name Santa Rita Hills. In 2005, after a name dispute with the Chilean producer Vina Santa Rita, the region changed its name to Sta. Rita Hills. The region is situated on 30,720 acres in Santa Barbara County. Soil types within the Sta. Rita Hills are notoriously varied between mixed loams, Diatomaceous Earth, and shale. The valley's proximity to the Pacific Ocean along with its east to west running hills allow fog and wind off the Pacific to settle over the grapes and creates a cool growing climate. The cool climate has made the Sta. Rita Hills an excellent area for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Santa Ynez Valley - Wine Region of the Day

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Santa Ynez Valley received its designation as an AVA in 1983. Sitting on 42,880 acres, the Santa Ynez Valley is the largest growing region in Santa Barbara County. The soils range from gravelly loams and clay loams to shale and silty clay loams. All soils in the valley have excellent drainage. The topography of the growing regions varies from 200 to 1,500 feet above sea level, with the differing climates following the changing elevations. The western end of the Valley is cooled by morning fog and breezes off of the Pacific Ocean. The eastern end of the valley is considerably warmer and higher in elevation. Cool climate varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the dominant vines on the western side of the valley while Rhone varietals, namely Syrah, thrive in Santa Ynez Valley's eastern end.

Happy Canyon Santa Barbara - Wine Region of the Day

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Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara received its designation as an AVA in 2009. Sitting on 23,940 acres, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara is located on the eastern edge of the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. The soil is a mixture of loam and clay loam and is known for imparting a mineralogy to the grapes. The soil is considered infertile, causing the vines to grow smaller in size and focus their efforts on the fruit. The mornings climate often features low lying fog that gives way to afternoon sun. The daytime temperatures oven break 90 degrees during the peak of the growing season. The region is known for its production of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Syrah.