Santa Barbara County's rare east-west-running valleys funnel cool Pacific fog deep inland, giving grapes an unusually long, gentle ripening season and strong natural acidity. It's best known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in its cooler western reaches, with Rhône varieties like Syrah and Viognier thriving in warmer pockets such as Ballard Canyon.
Grapes grown here
Chardonnay
Principal
Pinot Noir
Principal
Syrah
Principal
Albariño
Permitted
Barbera
Permitted
Cabernet Franc
Permitted
Cabernet Sauvignon
Permitted
Carignan
Permitted
Chenin Blanc
Permitted
Cinsaut
Permitted
Counoise
Permitted
Dolcetto
Permitted
Gamay
Permitted
Gewürztraminer
Permitted
Graciano
Permitted
Grenache
Permitted
Grüner Veltliner
Permitted
Malbec
Permitted
Malvasia Bianca
Permitted
Marsanne
Permitted
Mencía
Permitted
Merlot
Permitted
Mourvèdre
Permitted
Petite Sirah
Permitted
Petit Verdot
Permitted
Picpoul
Permitted
Pinot Gris
Permitted
Pinot Meunier
Permitted
Riesling
Permitted
Roussanne
Permitted
Sauvignon Blanc
Permitted
Sémillon
Permitted
Silvaner
Permitted
Tempranillo
Permitted
Vermentino
Permitted
Viognier
Permitted
Zinfandel
Permitted