Region · California, USA
Santa Barbara
SAN-tuh BAR-bruh
East-west valleys, cold Pacific
Santa Maria and Santa Ynez open sideways to the ocean, pulling fog and wind inland. Pinot, Chardonnay, and a Rhône colony in Ballard Canyon and Los Olivos.
- strawberry
- citrus
- chaparral
- smoke
- stone
Sta. Rita Hills is the Pinot and Chardonnay AVA with a sideways climate that looks like nowhere else in California. Happy Canyon is warmer Cabernet. The Rhône Rangers planted Syrah and Grenache because the place asked for them.
Sideways was a cartoon. The wines are not.
Grilled fish, roast chicken, and tri-tip.
At the table
Service
Pinot 54–57 °F (12–14 °C); Syrah 61 °F (16 °C).
