California's most diverse and discussed cool-climate wine region with east-west transverse mountain ranges that funnel Pacific Ocean winds into the Santa Ynez and Santa Maria Valleys. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Santa Maria and Sta. Rita Hills achieve elegance unmatched in California. The region rose to fame after the film Sideways (2004).
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | Benchmark conditions; Santa Maria and Sta. Rita Hills produced finest Pinot Noir in years. |
| 2022 | — | Outstanding Santa Barbara vintage; Pinot Noir of California's most Burgundian elegance. |
| 2021 | — | Clean vintage restoring Santa Barbara's cool-climate reputation; wines of genuine finesse. |
| 2020 | — | Wildfire smoke impacted some areas; best sites — Santa Maria, Sta. Rita Hills — less affected. |
| 2019 | — | Cool Pacific influence produced Santa Barbara Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of exceptional elegance. |