Wine Grapes and Bulk Wine from Santa Barbara County
Most of California's coastal ranges run north to south. In Santa Barbara County the valleys run east to west, which lets Pacific breezes and fog travel a long way inland. The result is a steep temperature gradient: the cooler western areas are well suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, while the warmer eastern areas ripen Bordeaux and Rhone varieties.
The county has seven official appellations: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara and Alisos Canyon. Santa Maria Valley has roughly 7,500 planted acres and Sta. Rita Hills about 2,700, and both are known for cool-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
Because conditions change over short distances, buyers do better asking for the specific appellation and site than treating the county as one style. Lots on HarvestLink are listed by the ton and by the gallon, and sellers can list confidentially under NDA.
Wine grapes by the ton
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Bulk wine by the gallon
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What to check before you buy or sell
- Ask exactly where the vineyard sits. A Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir and a warm eastern Cabernet are very different products.
- Cool sites often pick later and lower in sugar, so confirm the brix target and how the harvest window is set.
- Ask about yields and crop load for premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, since these affect both quality and price.
- For bulk wine, ask for lab analysis (ABV, total sulfites, pH) on the actual lot, and whether it can be labeled with an appellation.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Santa Barbara County good for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?
Its valleys run east to west, so cool Pacific air and fog reach far inland. The cooler western areas ripen fruit slowly, which suits Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Does Santa Barbara County grow Bordeaux and Rhone varieties?
Yes. The warmer eastern part of the county is well suited to Bordeaux and Rhone varieties such as Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah.
How many appellations does it have?
Seven: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara and Alisos Canyon.
Guides that help
Related regions and varieties
Sources
Figures come from the sources above and change over time. Educational information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
About HarvestLink
HarvestLink is an online marketplace where wine grape growers, wineries, and wine brands buy and sell wine grapes and bulk wine directly, including confidential listings under NDA.