The sun. The sand. The fog and the cool, coastal breeze. From sweeping ocean beaches to rugged mountain terrain to hillsides and pastures home to grazing cattle, Santa Barbara County has it all geographically speaking. With elevations ranging from sea level to almost 7,000 feet coupled with a wide variety of soil types, Santa Barbara County is truly a one-of-a-kind place worthy of being called the American Riviera. 

Millions of years ago, topographical shifts defined the climate and marine soils, allowing a wave of stylistically diverse wines to represent the region. The valleys along the Santa Barbara coastline run east to west rather than north to south, resulting in ocean breezes that sweep through the region in a rare eastward direction. This geologic oddity provides a patchwork of microclimates and terrains, resulting in one of the most diverse grape-growing regions in the United States. From the refrigerated sunshine of the Santa Maria Valley to the diatomaceous earth of the Sta. Rita Hills, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate the plantings. But a range of Rhône varieties—from Syrah to Grenache and even Viognier— also thrive in the coastal environment.