Santa Ynez Valley AVA (wine region) | |
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Type | American Viticultural Area |
Year established | 1983[1] |
Country | USA |
Part of | California, Central Coast AVA |
Sub-regions | Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA |
Total area | 42,880 acres (17,353 ha)[2] |
Grapes produced | Albarino, Arneis, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Counoise, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Lagrein, Malbec, Malvasia, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Negrette, Petit Verdot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tocai Friulano, Viognier, Zinfandel[3] |
The Santa Ynez Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Santa Barbara County, California. It is part of the larger Central Coast AVA, and contains the greatest concentration of wineries in Santa Barbara County. The valley is formed by the Purisima Hills and San Rafael Mountains to the north and the Santa Ynez Mountains to the south. Chardonnay is the most planted grape varietal in the cooler, western portion of the valley, and Rhône varietals are more successful in the east.[3]