Political district or AVA area in the north of the Central Coast region in California about 160 km north of Los Angeles. It includes the AVA areas of Santa Maria Bench, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Rita Hills and Santa Ynez Valley. The first vines were planted here by missionaries in the 18th century. The Franciscan friar Junipero Serra (1713-1784) played an important role. Viticulture on a larger scale developed from the end of the 1960s onwards, and today around 4,500 hectares are under vines. Santa Barbara became famous in 2004 through the film "Sideways", which also triggered a real Pinot Noir boom throughout California (two couples visit Californian wineries, enjoy wine and philosophise about it).
The climate is Mediterranean. Due to the sea breeze, there are cool temperatures with fresh morning fog in some places, despite the sunny climate. It is one of the coolest Californian wine-growing areas. Much of the vineyard is on rolling hills in a valley running east-west. Many vines from the Rhóne Valley grow here. The red wine varieties Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Grenache Noir (Garnacha Tinta), Syrah and Merlot dominate, as well as the white wine varieties Chardonnay, Riesling, Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier, Gewurztraminer (spiced traminer) and Sauvignon Blanc. Allegedly, the obscure variety Cabernet Pepper also originated here.
Well-known producers are Au Bon Climat, Babcock, Beckmen, Bronco Wine Company, Casa Barranca, Clos Pepe, Firestone, Foxen, Gainey, Grassian, Il Podere dell'Olivos, Jackson Family Wines (with several wineries or vineyards), Labyrinth Wines, and the wine cellar. Labyrinth Winery, Larner, Melville, Murray, Mondavi, Old Creek Ranch & Winery, Qupé, Rancho Sisquoc, Sanford, Santa Barbara Winery, Sine Qua Non (Manfred Krankl - Austria), Tanner, Whitcraft and Zaca Mesa.
