Page 36 - GV2020 Portfolio Master

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
Viticulture in Santa Barbara County is traceable to missionary plantings in the Milpas Valley late in the 18th century. Since
commercial viticulture rebounded in the 1960s, Santa Barbara County has been on the fast track to viticultural stardom. Its grapes

now command some of the highest prices anywhere in the state. Famous for ripe, yet elegant, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir the
County is also gaining a reputation for Rhône varietals including Syrah and Viognier. Located on California’s South Central
Coast, Santa Barbara wine country is sandwiched between two mountain ranges with elevations ranging from 200 feet in the
valley to 3400 feet in the hillside vineyards. The East to West nature of these mountain ranges is unique to the region and forms a
collage of microclimates and soil types while keeping the region cool. Soils range from pockets of calcareous limestone that help
maintain acidity, diatomaceous earth creates concentrated wines, sandy soils make more fruit driven styles and finally, clay loam
mixtures retain moisture for thirsty vines. There are currently six federally-sanctioned American Viticultural Areas within Santa
Barbara County: Santa Maria Valley and the Santa Ynez Valley which is then broken down into four sub-AVAs (West to East):
Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District, and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara
Barden
Kosta Browne
Lafond
Lumen
Margerum
Santa Barbara Winery
Tenshen

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