Santa Barbara County

**Santa Barbara County** — On California's Central Coast, north of Los Angeles, this is one of the state's most distinctive cool-climate zones, thanks to valleys that run east to west and funnel Pacific fog straight inland. It reached a wider audience after the film *Sideways* put its Pinot Noir in the spotlight. **Wines & grapes** — Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the calling cards, grown in cooler sub-areas such as the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley. Warmer pockets also do well with Syrah and other Rhône grapes. **Character** — The unusual transverse valleys draw in ocean air, giving long, slow ripening that keeps acidity fresh and flavours precise. Wines tend toward elegance rather than heft. **Good to know** — The Santa Rita Hills in particular is prized for taut, mineral Pinot Noir.

Wines

Frequently asked questions

What wines are produced in Santa Barbara County?

Chardonnay Santa Barbara County, Fiddlestix Vineyards Pinot Noir, Los Alamos Vineyard Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Noir (La Encantada Vineyard) and more.

Where is Santa Barbara County?

Santa Barbara County is a wine region in United States.