Vineyards in Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara County is a colorful quilt of microclimates, each defined by unique soils, proximity to the Pacific ocean and geological traits. Indeed, there are 55 different winegrape varietals planted here, each thriving in their own specific terroir. Here, we can have something for everyone's wine preference thanks to our unique transverse valleys. Diversity perfected, indeed.

Great wine starts in the vineyard with great grapes. Blessed with excellent climate, soil and topography and guided by their care and concern for the
land, Santa Barbara County's winegrowers bring modern growing methods to the age-old art of viticulture, producing some of the finest wine grapes in the world.

For additional resources on viticulture on the Central Coast, please visit these two organizations.

Central Coast Vineyard Team

Central Coast Winegrowers Association

Member Vineyards

Allan Hancock College Vineyard

Alondra de Los Prados

Duvarita

Larner

Thompson

Bien Nacido

Estelle

Mount Carmel

Vincent

Black Oak

Fe Ciega

Paradise Road

Coghlan

Highland Oaks

Sea Smoke

Colson Canyon

Honea Vineyards

Solomon Hills

 

Allan Hancock College VineyardAllan Hancock College Vineyard

A student vineyard in Los Alamos Valley; 3.8 acres planted in various clones and rootstocks.

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Alondra de Los Prados Vineyard

2 acres in Santa Ynez Valley planted in Syrah.
805-686-2344

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Bien Nacido Vineyards, Santa Maria ValleyBien Nacido Vineyards

Bien Nacido Vineyards consists of over 800 acres, of which over 300 acres are planted to Chardonnay, over 250 to Pinot Noir, and a number of acres each to Barbera, Merlot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Rousanne, Syrah, and Viognier.

Bien Nacido has the distinction of being one of the major viticultural nurseries in the state for certified, varietal budwood. Most of the vines were originally from stock grown by the University of California at Davis. While the average increase block in California is less than 10 acres, Bien Nacido Vineyards has several hundred acres of certified Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and a number of other varieties. Much of the Chardonnay planted in California in the last twenty years began as Bien Nacido Vineyards cuttings.

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Black Oak Vineyard, Los Alamos ValleyBlack Oak Vineyard

10 acres in Los Alamos Valley planted in Syrah.

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Coghlan VineyardCoghlan Vineyard

Our vineyard is currently being farmed in an organic manner and we are in the process of becoming certified.

The vineyard which is on a southwest facing knoll in the eastern Santa Ynez Valley which serves for the ideal climate conditions in their specific micro-area that is of particular benefit to Bordeaux and Rhone-type varietals. In addition, the property’s rock and loam soil types and well-drained hillsides result in a terroir of remarkable potential. In 2003, ten acres of vines were planted to four different clones of Cabernet Sauvignon and the first harvest was in 2007. In 2010, nine more acres were planted to Grenache Blanc, Grenache, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. The addition of these varietals will broaden the estate’s diversity and ultimately enhance the Coghlan portfolio of wines.

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Colson Canyon Vineyard, photograph by Bob DickeyColson Canyon Vineyard

15 acres in Santa Maria Valley planted in Syrah.

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Duvarita Vineyard

Duvarita Vineyard

Duvarita Vineyard is a family owned, sustainably grown vineyard with Pinot Noir, Syrah and Chardonnay just west of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in Lompoc, California.

This vineyard was originally planted in 2000 as Presidio Vineyard. We purchased it in November 2012 and renamed it Duvarita, a combination of our parents' first names and the Rancho Santa Rita land grant that it was apart.

The soils are mostly Arnold and Marina sands that are very well drained. The site is south facing slope starting at 180 feet and topping at 340 feet elevation. The 26 acre vineyard has rows that are 7 feet apart and there is 3 feet between vines. The vines are cane pruned at 22 inches off the ground to protect from the wind and benefit from the radiant heat of the earth. The long, cool growing season gives our grape a great balance of intensity and elegance.

Email or call 805-448-2148

Estelle Vineyards, photograph from Babcock WineryEstelle Vineyard

This 80 acre vineyard is planted on the hillsides towards the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley. The soil is a rocky loam full of cobblestones. The vineyard is planted in Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

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Fe Ciega VineyardFe Ciega Vineyard

7.5 acres in Santa Rita Hills planted in Pinot Noir.

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Highland Oaks Vineyard, photograph by Dave RobinsonHighland Oaks Vineyard

Highland Oaks Vineyard is a family-owned vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley appellation of Santa Barbara County.

Densely planted, hand harvested and field blended, our Viognier, Syrah and Grenache thrive on a steep hillside that mimics the northern Rhône Valley. Extreme heat and sun, rocky mineral laced soil, steady winds and a profusion of wildflowers, bees, ladybugs and raptors at a stunning 1,200 feet elevation create an ideal microclimate and unique terroir for a premium Rhône blend.

Petras family members, Jim, Kate, Diane and Jack, established Highland Oaks in 2007. We are excited and honored to have Andrew Murray as our talented and enthusiastic winemaker, ably translating the fruit from our small corner of the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley into a wine of exceptional quality.

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Honea Vineyards, Santa Ynez Valley, photograph by Karen SteinwachsHonea Vineyard

The property consists of 40 acres on Alamo Pintado Road, the major wine country road running between the wine center town of Los Olivos and the Danish town of Solvang. The land consists of three hills leading up from the flat land along Alamo Pintado creek. Twenty acres have been planted in grapes and two in olive trees.

The vineyard specializes exclusively on Italian grape varietals, with the goal of becoming the premier grower of these varietals in central California. The grapes are grown for Steve and Chrystal Clifton and their Palmina label. The varieties planted include Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Tocai Friulano, Moscato Canelli, Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, and Lagrein.The grape varieties planted were chosen by Steve, in consultation with Jeff Newton, who along with his partner, Larry Finkle, is the viticulture manager for the vineyard. The first plantings occurred in the summer of 2003 and the first harvest was in 2005. In addition, a small acreage of Merlot was planted several years ago by the previous owners and is bearing excellent quality fruit.

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Larner Vineyards, Santa Ynez ValleyLarner Vineyard

Since 2001, Larner Vineyard has established itself as a premium vineyard site selling grapes to boutique wineries throughout Santa Barbara County. Wine critic Robert Parker Jr. states, in his review of 2006 Jaffurs Larner Vineyard Syrah, “emerges from a site that would merit grand cru status in France. Larner Vineyard nearly always produces wines with excellent minerality, ripe fruit, and distinct personality.” The family-owned and operated Larner Vineyard is planted to mostly Rhône varietals Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Viognier with a small amount of Malvasia Bianca. UC Davis graduate Michael Larner runs the vineyard with his family and maintains a reputation for meticulous farming practices and top quality fruit.

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805-686-2440

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Mount Carmel Vineyard, photograph by Dave RobinsonMount Carmel Vineyard

The highest vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills; planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

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Paradise Road Vineyard, photograph by Dave RobinsonParadise Road Vineyard

Located in the majestic back-country of the Santa Ynez Valley on historic Rancho San Fernando Rey, Paradise Road Vineyard grows award winning Syrah and of Viognier. The interior valley location provides warmer growing season temperatures than most local vineyards and the iron rich nutrient deprived soil produces small clusters of tiny grapes with concentrated flavors.

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Sea SmokeSea Smoke

For years, vintners have coveted a stretch of land in the western end of Santa Barbara's Sta. Rita Hills AVA known to have the perfect microclimate, soils, and exposure to grow world-class Pinot Noir. In 1999, fulfilling a long-held dream of owner Bob Davids, this sought-after stretch of land became Sea Smoke Vineyard.

At Sea Smoke, we produce Pinot Noir grown exclusively on the south-facing hillsides of our estate vineyards. On summer evenings, the Santa Ynez River canyon funnels a cool maritime fog layer (sea "smoke") across our hillsides, slowing the ripening process and providing the extended maturation period essential to the development of top-quality Pinot Noir.

Our shallow clay soils are planted to French clones on vigor-reducing rootstocks, resulting in fewer grape clusters of intense flavor, and our artisanal approach to winemaking results in wines that are a reflection of the unique land on which they are grown.

We believe that Sea Smoke's rare geography and commitment to quality have produced wines of exceptional complexity and grace. We hope that you agree and welcome your comments.

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Solomon Hills VineyardSolomon Hills Vineyards

Solomon Hills Vineyards are owned and operated by the same team that manages Bien Nacido Vineyards. Located at the western most end of the Santa Maria Valley AVA, Solomon Hills Vineyards are nestled in its namesake Solomon Hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The vineyard enjoys a cool growing climate creating ideal conditions for growing some of the most exciting and innovative Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Santa Barbara County.

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Thompson Vineyard, photograph from Vie WineryThompson Vineyard

The steep hillsides and south facing exposure of the Thompson Vineyard ensures complete ripeness. That combined with low tonnage produces an amazing concentration, robust dark crimson color and equally rich flavors. The Thompson vineyard consists of 37 acres in Los Alamos Valley planted in Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah, and Pinot Gris, but it is known primary for its Estrella Clone of Syrah.

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Vincent VineyardVincent Vineyard

13.9 acres in Santa Ynez Valley planted to Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah.

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