Santa Barbara Wines - Cheat Sheet

Lessons Learned or the Top 10 Things to Know about Santa Barbara Wines (to sound like a wine geek!)

1. Santa Barbara is actually a decently old wine growing region. When it was colonized by the Spanish, they b

rought vines to the area. In fact the first vines were planted in the 1770’s.

2. Santa Barbara wine country is actually part of what is known as the Central Coast, along with Monterrey and San Luis Obispo. It is the southernmost region, about 100 miles from L.A.

3. Santa Barbara is almost rain free and experien

ces very mild temperatures year round. There are two main influences on the region - the pacific ocean, and the various s

mall mountain ranges. These have a cooling impact on the average temperature. In fact, Pinot Noir, especially, and Chardonnay do very well because of the influence of the pacific ocean. One area, close to Cape Concepcion, called the Santa Rita Hills has eternal sea fogs that create cooler conditions than even the Russian River Valley in Sonoma.

4. While the vines have been here since the 1770’s, the wine industry has not. It did not start to take off until the 1970’s. It has blossomed into prominence somewhat due to the popularity of the movie Sideways.

5. The area is mostly known for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, Rhone varietals also thrive. This range is due to the diverse micro-climates - foggy valleys, windswept mountains and warmer valleys. While you can find a reasonable range of styles, the main focus has been to emphasize more restrained, Burgundian Pinots and Chardonnays.

6. There are 3 American Viticultural Areas (AVA) in Santa Barbara County - Santa Maria Valley to the north, Santa Ynez Valley to the Southeast, and Santa Rita Hills to the Southwest. Wines from the region can also be labeled as being Central Coast or Santa Barbara County.

7. Santa Maria Valley - the northernmost AVA. It experiences a lot of fog and wind. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay do very well. Some standout producers - Au Bon Climat, Qupe, Foxen and Byron. Vineyards of note - Bien Nacido and Julia's.

8. Santa Ynez Valley - the largest AVA. It runs along a long east-west corridor. Consequently, it has a range of temperatures and micro-climates. The closer to the ocean, the stronger the maritime influence and the cooler the temperatures. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay do better in the cooler climes, while Rhone varietals dominate in the warmer eastern regions, as well as Cabernet. Some standout producers - Fess Parker, Foxen, Firestone and Andrew Murray. Vineyards, Regions of note - Westerly, Williamson-Dore, Foxen Canyon.

9. Santa Rita Hills - the newest AVA. It is located far west, close to the Pacific ocean, and as such, is dominated by the marine layer. It has very cool temperatures and is excellent for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Some standout producers - Melville, Sanford, Brewer-Clifton, Babcock, Lafond and Seasmoke. Vineyards of note - Seasmoke, Fiddlestix, Cargasacchi, Melville.

10. While a winery might be located in a particular region, it does not necessarily follow that all of the wines produced there are from that area. Wineries very commonly source grapes form different regions and particular vineyards. As a result, it is very important to pay attention to the vineyard designations!