California's most dramatically cool wine county where the Transverse Ranges create east-west valleys that funnel Pacific Ocean fog and cold air inland, producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah of surprising elegance in this southern California setting. The Santa Ynez Valley (including Sta. Rita Hills), Happy Canyon, and Santa Maria Valley sub-AVAs each create distinct microclimates. The region gained fame through the 2004 film 'Sideways' which made Santa Barbara Pinot Noir a household name.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | Outstanding Santa Barbara vintage; Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir of extraordinary elegance; Chardonnay of Burgundian precision. |
| 2021 | — | Classic cool-climate vintage; Syrah from the Santa Ynez Valley showed exceptional Rhône-like pepper and dark fruit. |
| 2020 | — | Benchmark year; Brewer-Clifton and Au Bon Climat produced the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of the decade. |
| 2019 | — | Outstanding vintage; Sta. Rita Hills Pinot achieved international scores previously unseen in Santa Barbara. |
| 2018 | — | Solid vintage; Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay showed exceptional mineral freshness; Pinot Noir of good structure. |