Located on the sun-soaked Southern California coast, Santa Barbara offers some of the wealthiest and most diverse wine regions within the United States. With its unique east-west orientation that welcomes a cool, marine influence, Santa Barbara County is a veritable playground for winemakers, creating a breathtaking variety of exceptional wines.
Viticulture in Santa Barbara dates back to the 18th century, with the introduction of vineyards by Spanish missionaries. Today, the county boasts over 200 wineries, encompassing over 60 different grape varietals. Uniquely, the county's wine scene favours small, family-owned vineyards and boutique wineries, bestowing an artisanal touch to the wines it produces.
Amongst Santa Barbara's diverse roster of wines, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the undeniable jewels. The region's Chardonnay, known for its elegance and complexity, showcases vibrant tropical fruit notes, underpinned by richness and a refined minerality. Santa Barbara's Pinot Noir conversely, manifests an exquisite balance of ripe fruit, natural acidity, and sophisticated earthy undertones - a testament to the region's excellent terroir.
Yet Santa Barbara does not solely rely on these classic varietals. The Rhône varieties of Syrah and Grenache are burgeoning in popularity, and in the hot, hilly terrain of the Happy Canyon area, Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon are gaining reputable acclaim.
Santa Barbara county wines are epoch-making, beautifully capturing the cool-climate characteristics of the Pacific Ocean and the warmth of the Southern Californian sun. They are professional and yet personal with a defined nod towards sustainability and a continuous desire to make wines that resonate with the region's climate, geology, and geography. To partake in a glass of Santa Barbara county wine is to partake in a story of resiliency, innovation, and a deep-rooted love for winemaking.
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