Santa Barbara wine country, hugging the Pacific coast north of Los Angeles, boasts unusual geographic features that have helped savvy winemakers turn the area into one of California’s most talked-about wine regions. The Santa Barbara wine tastings featured in the film “Sideways” helped introduce the region to millions of fans.
The hills of Santa Barbara County run – perpendicular to the norm – west to east. So fog and wind from the Pacific Ocean seeps inland through the valleys, tempering the Southern California heat and helping to provide a long and moderate growing season. The cool, frequently cloudy conditions have proven favorable for producing delicious Burgundy-style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines, among others.
