Santa Ynez Valley is the largest of the AVA’s in Santa Barbara County taking in 76,000 acres . This is a cool climate AVA in Santa Barbara County that encompasses 3 smaller AVA’s, Sta. Rita Hills, Happy Canyon and Ballard Canyon. The AVA is bordered on the North by the Purisima Hills and the San Raphael Mountains and to the south by the Santa Ynez Mountains. We mentioned the transverse valley before, this valley funnels cool air in from the Pacific.
The Santa Ynez Valley AVA and its included AVAs
Because this area is so large and includes 3 other AVA’s a large portion of the wineries in Santa Barbara are included in this AVA.
The Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country Association is an association of select boutique wineries in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley that covers about 6 miles. These wineries have banded together to form this association and hold several events over the course of the year. Including “The Summer Pass” which allows you to taste anytime between May 1 and August 31 at any of the member wineries. Your pass expires when you have tasted at all of the wineries or on August 31st, whichever comes first.
http://www.santaynezwinecountry.com/events.html
There are 15 wineries included in the Association including Alexander & Wayne, Arthur Earl, Brander, Buttonwood Farm, Casa Cassara, Cimarone & 3CV Wines, Daniel Gehrs, Imagine Wines, Lincourt, Lucas & Lewellen, Rideau Vineyard, Standing Sun Wines, Toccata, Toretti Family Vineyard & William James Cellars.
Some of the wineries of the Santa Ynez Wine Country Association
The Santa Barbara Vintners have a Santa Ynez tasting route that takes you through the center of the Santa Ynez Valley, from Los Olivos to Solvang. It differs slightly from the Association route including a few different wineries like Beckmen, Blackjack Ranch, Bridlewood Estate Winery, Carr, Crown Point, Fontes & Phillips Wines, Kalyra Winery & Sunstone, this route is also worth checking out.
If you want to taste wines from many of these wineries all in the convenience on one location, you should head to the Santa Barbara Vintner’s Spring Weekend for the Grand Tasting on April 12.
VF2012 Attendees, Photo Credit- Jeremy Ball
Fontes & Phillips Wines & Carr will be presenting at the Sparkling Wine Seminar & Panel Discussion during the Wine Education Seminar Series on Friday april 11th.
Buttonwood Farm will be hosting a Vineyard Hike with Wine also on Friday. They will be pouring at the 90+ Points Top Rated Wine & Dine Event on Friday night, along with Beckmen. They also have a Vineyard Walk, Scavenger Hunt & Brunch scheduled at the winery on Sunday.
Brander will be holding an Cabernet Sauvignon blind tasting event featuring Cabernet from around the globe with a panel discussion on Friday night. They will have Argentine BBQ and music at the winery on Saturday.
Lucas & Lewellen will have Wine and Cheese Pairings on Saturday at their tasting room and Saturday night will hold their Vintners Festival Winemakers Dinner at Root 246.
Kalyra will be holding and “Around the World” Wine & Food pairing at the winery on Sunday.
Visit http://www.sbvintnersweekend.com for all the Spring Weekend Events or http://www.sbcountywines.com for anything you want to know about the Santa Barbara County vineyards or wineries.
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