Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA

Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2009[1]
Years of wine industry23[2]
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[1]
Soil conditionsshaly, silty and clay loams[1]
Total area37 square miles (23,941 acres)[1]
Size of planted vineyards492 acres (199 ha)[1]
No. of vineyardsCimarone, Grassini, Happy Canyon Vineyard, McGinley, Star Lane, Vogelzang Vineyards[2]
Varietals producedCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Rosé, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier[3]
No. of wineries27[3]

The Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Santa Barbara County, California. It was officially designated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury on November 9, 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. According to the petitioner and USGS maps, the "Happy Canyon" name applies to a specific canyon within the area. 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.[1]

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.[4]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Establishment of the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara Viticultural Area (2007R-311P)" (74 FR 51772, 27 CFR 9 [Docket No. TTB–2008–0008; T.D. TTB–82; Re: Notice No. 89] RIN 1513–AB52 Final Rule). Federal Register. 74 (194). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury: 51772–51777. October 8, 2009.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ a b "Happy Canyon". Happy Canyon Viticultural Area. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Happy Canyon Of Santa Barbara". SBCountyWines. Santa Barbara Vintners Association. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Hagen, Wes - Clos Pepe Vineyards (November 18, 2014). "Petition to Establish: Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara American Viticultural Area". Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.