Ballard Canyon AVA

Ballard Canyon AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2013[1]
CountryUnited States
Part of California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley AVA
Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley AVAHappy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, Los Olivos District AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Climate regionMediterranean[2]
Precipitation (annual average)11.3 inches (287.02 mm)[3]
Soil conditionsLimestone, fine sand and clay loam[4]
Total area7,800 acres (12 sq mi)[4]
Size of planted vineyards565 acres (229 ha)[4]
No. of vineyards10[4]
Varietals producedCabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cinsault, Counoise, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Malvasia Bianca, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Zinfandel[5]
No. of wineries16[4]

Ballard Canyon AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Santa Barbara County, California and established on October 2, 2013 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The 7,800 acres (12 sq mi) designated area lies west of Ballard and Solvang townships while in the center of the Santa Ynez Valley viticultural area, which in turn, is within the perimeter of the larger multi-county Central Coast viticultural area. As of 2021, the Santa Ynez Valley AVA contains three other established viticultural areas: Santa Rita Hills, which lies to the west; Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara to the east of the Ballard Canyon. Los Olivos District borders Ballard Canyon's eastern perimeter while Santa Rita Hills and the Happy Canyon areas do not share boundaries nor overlap Ballard Canyon.[4] The USDA plant hardiness zone for the AVA is 9b.[6]

  1. ^ "§9.230 Ballard Canyon" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations. October 2, 2013.
  2. ^ "Climate". Ballard Canyon AVA.
  3. ^ "Ballard Climate (United States of America)". Climate-Data.org.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Establishment of the Ballard Canyon Viticultural Area" (78 FR 60693 27 CFR 9 Doc#: 2013-23944). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. October 2, 2013. pp. 60693–60695.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ "Facts". Ballard Canyon AVA.
  6. ^ "USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". United States Department of Agriculture. 2012.