California South Central Coast

Question 1

Where is Ballard Canyon and what types of wines are produced there?

Answer 1

Ballard Canyon is in Santa Barbara County, and produces spicy red wines from Syrah and Grenache.

Question 2

Where is the Santa Maria Valley and what wines are produced there?

Answer 2

The Santa Maria Valley AVA is located in Santa Barbara County. It has a cooler climate, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the main wines produced in the region.

Question 3

Describe Alisos Canyon.

Answer 3

Alisos Canyon AVA is located in Santa Barbara, between Santa Maria and Santa Ynez. It is considered the “Goldilocks” zone for Rhone varieties.

Question 4

Where is Ballard Canyon, and what type of wines are produced there?

Answer 4

Santa Barbara County. Spicy reds from Syrah and Grenache.

Question 5

What AVAs are in Santa Barbara County?

Answer 5

Santa Maria Valley AVA
Santa Ynez Valley AVA
Ballard Canyon AVA
Los Olivos District AVA
Sta. Rita Hills AVA
The Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
The Aliso Canyon AVA

Question 6

What is Santa Ynez?

Answer 6

The largest AVA in Santa Barbara County, with a diversity of climates.

Question 7

What is different about Santa Barbara County compared to other California wine regions?

Answer 7

The mountains run east to west instead of north to south, creating areas with a cool climate despite its southern location.

Question 8

What is the Los Olivos District AVA?

Answer 8

A sub-region of Santa Ynez in Santa Barbara County.

Question 9

What is the Happy Canyon Santa Barbara AVA?

Answer 9

A warmer region of Santa Barbara. The name comes from the time of prohibition, when bootleg alcohol was produced in the region.