![]() Most people consider Pinot Noir to be the signature grape of the Sta. Together, they form the shape of a trident, pointing toward the ocean. There are actually three ranges of mountains in the AVA. So the mountains now run east-west and funnel, rather than block, oceanic winds. A confluence of three moving plates created mountains on the North American plate, but then tore them away and rotated them clockwise 90 degrees. This is a freak situation, caused by tectonic shift. Calcareous soils also store water from winter rains and dole it out as needed during the growing season, making extensive irrigation unnecessary.īut, unlike virtually all of the United States’ west coast, there is no mountain range running parallel to the sea. The soil is low-vigor, which benefits wine quality. There is limestone, chalk, diatomaceous earth, chert, etc. That soil formed from the remains of ancient sea creatures which accumulated and dissolved into their mineral components on the ocean floor. Rita Hills has a very unique geography, though ts soils are not particularly unusual for a coastal area-calcium-rich sedimentary. Fortunately, the cool temperatures maintain acidity in the grapes. That extended hang time, coupled with abundant sun, can deliver great ripeness. The combination of moderate temperatures, low rainfall, and low humidity provide the potential for very long growing seasons. Dry-farming can be possible at some sites, depending on the precise location, soil type, vine age, etc. However, some years have as little as four inches, while others are above 20. The average, annual precipitation is about 18 inches, nearly all of which comes during winter. Rita Hills, the air temperature drops 1 degree. In general, for every mile closer to the ocean you get in the Sta. Rita Hills as much as 30 degrees cooler than Buellton, which is 20+ miles further from the ocean and shielded from wind by a range of hills. That influence keeps daytime, growing season temperatures in the Sta. The waters in the area are particularly frigid, due to upwelling of very deep currents flowing from the poles. Temperatures are mild all year, owing to the nearby Pacific Ocean. The climate is warm-summer Mediterranean. Rita Hills AVA map, courtesy of Santa Barbara County Wine Climate ![]() Their lawyers agreed that abbreviating “Santa” would create adequate differentiation. However, during the AVA-approvals process, Santa Rita Winery of Chile expressed trademark concern. Outside of official AVA nomenclature, the area is known as Santa Rita Hills. So it is that Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dominate. And, though Riesling thrives there, that variety is no longer Americans’ go-to white wine. Over time, it became clear the area is too cool for the style of Cabernet Sauvignon preferred these days. They got cuttings from Wente’s vineyard in Arroyo Seco, primarily an assortment of clones Wente acquired from the Mount Eden Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Having settled on a 473-acre site in the very cool Santa Rita Hills, Sanford and Benedict grew interested in growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir too. ![]() Initially, Sanford and Benedict had been looking for a spot to plant Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling cuttings they’d gotten from the Uriel Nielson Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. Today, the AVA includes 59 vineyards with nearly 3,000 acres under vine. The AVA boundary was expanded a few years ago, adding more territory on the eastern side. Rita Hills AVA became official in 2001, 30 years after Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict established the area's first vineyard. The region is located in southwestern Santa Barbara County, where the climate results in long, cool, dry growing seasons. Rita Hills AVA is one of California’s best for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |