About Sta. Rita Hills
Sta. Rita Hills Wineries & AVA Guide
The Sta. Rita Hills is a federally recognized wine region, or American Viticultural Area (AVA), in Santa Barbara County, California, between the towns of Buellton and Lompoc. Ocean wind and fog flow in through its east-west valleys, which keeps it unusually cool for its latitude, which is why it is best known for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. At Taste of Santa Rita Hills in Los Olivos, you can taste sought-after Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from several of the premier local winemakers in one visit.
The Geography of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA
The Sta. Rita Hills covers the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley, book-ended by two cities: Lompoc on the west and Buellton on the east. Two roads run through it: Highway 246, between these two towns, and Santa Rosa Road to the south. Vineyards range from near sea level to about 1,800 feet.
The AVA sits entirely inside two larger ones: the Santa Ynez Valley AVA and the Central Coast AVA. A bottle might say "Santa Ynez Valley" or "Central Coast" when the grapes come from a blend of vineyards within these larger AVAs. A bottle that says "Sta. Rita Hills" is more specific to the grapes grown in this AVA, but they are likely from two or more vineyards.
Zooming out further, this AVA sits at the corner of California's central coast where the coastline bends so that the ocean is both west and south of the Sta. Rita Hills, a unique geological feature.
The climate: Unusually cool temperatures
Most mountain ranges on the West Coast run north to south. Here, three hills run east to west: the Purisima Hills to the north, the Santa Rosa Hills to the south and the Sta. Rita Hill between them. That east-west orientation opens a direct channel from the Pacific Ocean, which the AVA's federal petition called a "maritime throat." Every day, ocean breezes and fog flow through the valleys and hills, bringing unusually cool temperatures for this latitude and a longer growing season. Temperatures are known to drop 30 to 40 degrees between day and night, and that daily swing is what lets Pinot Noir and Chardonnay ripen slowly and keep their bright acidity.
The numbers bear it out. In federal climate data from 2008 and 2009, every weather station inside the AVA recorded fewer growing-season heat units (degree days) than a station in Ballard Canyon, just to the east: 2,827 to 3,334, compared with 3,780. Grapes in the Sta. Rita Hills also ripen in temperatures about 14.7°F cooler than in the rest of the Santa Ynez Valley.
As you head east from Buellton toward Santa Ynez, the ocean's influence fades and temperatures rise. In roughly 10 to 20 miles, you'll find grapes that thrive on the heat, such as Syrah, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. These warmer areas have their own AVAs inside the Santa Ynez Valley AVA (1983): Ballard Canyon (2013), Los Olivos District (2016) and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara (2009). Within a span of 40 miles, this special corner of California's Central Coast is home to a breadth of varietals and is a winemaker's dream.
The soils: diatomaceous earth, sand and clay
The soil here was pushed up from an ancient sea floor as a result of a strike-slip fault millions of years ago. The tectonic pressure twisted and uplifted the land to reveal patches of sand, clay, silty loams and diatomaceous earth, a white, chalky soil made from the fossils of microscopic sea algae. Near Lompoc lies one of the largest commercial diatomite deposits in the world, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Winemakers often credit these soils for the savory, saline edge in Sta. Rita Hills wines.s
A curious spelling of "Sta. Rita Hills"
The AVA was approved in 2001 as "Santa Rita Hills" but a large winery in Chile named Viña Santa Rita had objected to the name during the approval process. Both sides agreed to shorten "Santa" to "Sta.," a spelling that appears on the region's original 1840s land-grant maps. The new name took effect in January 2006, and Viña Santa Rita endorsed it. People still search and talk about the "Santa Rita Hills," but "Sta. Rita Hills" is the official name found on wine labels from this corner of California's central coast.
A short history and the first vineyards
Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict planted the first vineyard in what is now the Sta. Rita Hills in 1971. Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is still farmed today, and several of the producers we pour source grapes from this storied vineyard. More landmark vineyards followed, including La Rinconada (1997), Fiddlestix (1998), Sea Smoke (1999) and Rita's Crown (2007), the highest vineyard in the AVA.
Growers including Richard Sanford, Bryan Babcock and Wes Hagen led the petition that made the Sta. Rita Hills an AVA on July 30, 2001. Its boundary was expanded by about 2,296 acres in 2016. Today the region has about 60 vineyards and about 3,000 acres planted to vines, according to the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance.
"Sideways" Movie and the Sta. Rita Hills
Fans of the 2004 cult classic "Sideways" already know this country. The first winery Miles and Jack visit is Sanford Winery, on the original Sanford ranch in the Sta. Rita Hills, where Miles teaches Jack the basics of wine tasting. The film made a star of Santa Barbara wine country and drummed up demand for Pinot Noir around the world. Sea Smoke, a Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir whose rise many credit to the film, is one we pour when a new release comes in.
Other scenes were filmed close by: the Hitching Post in Buellton, and the double-date dinner at the Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe, just down Grand Avenue from our tasting room. The main intersection of Los Olivos is still marked by the flagpole and Adirondack chairs where Stephanie and Maya are picked up in Miles' red convertible. Make a day of it, then come taste the Pinot Noir that started it all.
Sta. Rita Hills wines you can taste with us
We pour a variety of top quality producers who have limited to no tasting rooms. Here are the producers whose wines we pour.
Grown in the Sta. Rita Hills
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Paul Lato: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from top Central Coast vineyards, including Peake Ranch, Drum Canyon, Zotovich and Bentrock in the Sta. Rita Hills.
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Mail Road Wines: Matt Dees' Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Mt. Carmel Vineyard, 800 to 1,000 feet up in the heart of the AVA.
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Racines: Burgundy and Champagne families making Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wine from Sanford & Benedict, La Rinconada, Bentrock and Wenzlau.
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Chanin: Gavin Chanin's Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, including old vines at Sanford & Benedict.
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OLG: Dave Phinney's estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Our Lady of Guadalupe Vineyard, at the windy western edge of the AVA.
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The Hilt: Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Bentrock and Radian vineyards.
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Ryan Deovlet: Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay from Sanford & Benedict, La Encantada and Zotovich vineyards.
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Sea Smoke: Poured when a new release comes in, as an optional add-on to a flight.
From neighboring Santa Barbara County AVAs
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Jonata: The Hilt's sister winery: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and more from Ballard Canyon.
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Moretti Wines: Old World style wines, including Bordeaux-style blends from Crown Point Vineyards in Happy Canyon, plus Prosecco from Valdobbiadene, Italy.
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Ranchos de Ontiveros: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the western Santa Maria Valley, from a family that has farmed in the county since 1837.
Plan your visit: taste the Sta. Rita Hills in one stop
Taste of Santa Rita Hills pours local wines side by side in one room at 2923 Grand Avenue in Los Olivos, less than 15 minutes driving from the eastern Sta. Rita Hills. Choose from three flights ranging in price from $25 to $70 for 6 pours. Plan on tasting with us for about an hour while we explain the vineyards, soils and winemakers behind each pour. We're open Thursday through Monday, 11 am to 5 pm. Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are recommended on weekends and for groups.
Frequently asked questions about the Sta. Rita Hills
Where is the Sta. Rita Hills AVA?
The Sta. Rita Hills AVA covers the cool western end of the Santa Ynez Valley between the cities of Lompoc on the west and Buellton on the east. This area sits at the corner of California's central coast where the coastline bends in Santa Barbara County.
Why is it spelled "Sta. Rita Hills" instead of "Santa Rita Hills"?
The AVA was approved as "Santa Rita Hills" in 2001. To settle an objection from Chile's Viña Santa Rita, the name was shortened to "Sta. Rita Hills," a spelling found on the region's 1840s land-grant maps. The change took effect in January 2006, and Viña Santa Rita endorsed it.
When did the Sta. Rita Hills become an AVA?
The Sta. Rita Hills became an AVA on July 30, 2001, under the name "Santa Rita Hills." Growers Richard Sanford, Bryan Babcock and Wes Hagen led the petition. The name changed to "Sta. Rita Hills" in 2006, and the boundary was expanded by about 2,296 acres in 2016.
What was the first vineyard planted in the Sta. Rita Hills?
Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, planted in 1971 by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict. It is still farmed today, and several producers we pour source grapes from it, including Racines, Chanin and Ryan Deovlet.
Why is the Sta. Rita Hills known for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay?
The three main hills within the AVA run east to west, so ocean breezes and fog flow in from the Pacific every day to keep temperatures cooler even on sunny days. These conditions keep the growing season long, which suits Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Federal climate data show the AVA is cooler than Ballard Canyon and the rest of the Santa Ynez Valley to the east.
Is the Sta. Rita Hills part of the Santa Ynez Valley?
Yes. The Sta. Rita Hills AVA sits entirely inside the Santa Ynez Valley AVA, at its cool western end, and both sit inside the larger Central Coast AVA.
Was "Sideways" filmed in the Sta. Rita Hills?
Partly. The first winery Miles and Jack visit in "Sideways" (2004) is Sanford Winery, on the original Sanford ranch in the Sta. Rita Hills. Other scenes were filmed nearby, including the Hitching Post in Buellton and the Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe in Los Olivos.
Where can I taste Sta. Rita Hills wines in Los Olivos?
Taste of Santa Rita Hills, at 2923 Grand Avenue in Los Olivos, pours Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from top quality Sta. Rita Hills winemakers, many of whom have no tasting room of their own. We're open Thursday through Monday, 11 am to 5 pm.
Learn more about the history, geology and vineyards of this appellation from the Santa Barbara Vintners Association and the Sta. Rita Hills Wine Alliance.