Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA

Summary

The Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Santa Barbara County, California. It was designated officially by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in November 2009 and is the smallest AVA in Santa Barbara County when measured by land under vine, covering 37 square miles (23,941 acres) with 492 acres (199 ha) of planted vine. The area comprises canyon terrain, hills, and river and creek basins to the east and south of the San Rafael Mountains, northwest of Lake Cachuma and north of the Santa Ynez River. Elevations within the AVA range from 500 feet (150 m) in the southwest corner to 3,430 feet (1,050 m) in the northeast corner, in the foothills of the San Rafael Range. It is home to six major vineyards and one active winery.[2]

Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2009[1]
Years of wine industrySince 2001
CountryUnited States
Part ofCalifornia, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley AVA
Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley AVABallard Canyon AVA, Los Olivos District AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Climate regionMaritime[2]
Soil conditionsshaly, silty and clay loams[2]
Total area37 square miles (23,941 acres)[3]
Size of planted vineyards492 acres (199 ha)[2]
No. of vineyardsCimarone, Grassini, Happy Canyon Vineyard, McGinley, Star Lane, Vogelzang Vineyards[3]
Varietals producedCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Rosé, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier[3]
No. of wineries1[3]

TTB received the petition from Wes Hagen, Vineyard Manager and Winemaker at Clos Pepe Vineyards, Lompoc, California, on behalf of Happy Canyon vintners and grape growers, proposing the establishment of the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara American viticultural area.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ "§9.217 Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. Retrieved November 9, 2010.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Establishment of the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara Viticultural Area (2007R-311P)" (74 FR 51772, 27 CFR 9 Doc#: E9-24329). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. October 8, 2016. pp. 51772–51777.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ a b c d "Happy Canyon". Happy Canyon Viticultural Area.

External links edit

  • Happy Canyon AVA Archived February 5, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  • Getting to Know Happy Canyon, One of Southern California’s Tiniest AVAs VinePair
  • Santa Ynez Wine Country Association
  • TTB AVA Map

34°37′24″N 119°59′10″W / 34.62334°N 119.98603°W / 34.62334; -119.98603