The flavor, intensity and complexity of Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir and Chardonnay come from a combination of unique east-west coastal valleys, passionate winegrowers and modern winegrowing techniques. Cool weather, fog, wind and our soils limit vine vigor, crop yield and intensify the flavors of our wines. Distinct geology and geography combine to form an absolutely unique maritime corridor. These two east-west oriented valleys (centered around Santa Rosa Road and Highway 246) represent some of the most incredible dirt and unique climatic influence in the Pinot Noir world.

The two east-west oriented valleys are formed by the Purisima Hills to the north, the Santa Rosa Hills to the south and the Santa Ynez River flowing between them to the nearby Pacific Ocean. The valleys and hillsides (centered around Santa Rosa Road and Highway 246) represent some of the most incredible soils and unique climatic influences in the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay world.

The boundaries of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation were chosen carefully to include all locales between the Santa Rosa Hills and the Purisima Hills that matched our criteria for hillside Pinot Noir and Chardonnay viticulture. One of the smaller AVAs in California, the eastern edge of Sta. Rita Hills is about four miles west of Highway 101 in Buellton and continues to the western boundary, about two miles east of Highway 1 in Lompoc. The southern boundary is the north side of the Santa Rosa Hills, with the northern boundary the south side of the Purisima Hills. Those areas outside of the appellation boundaries (West of the AVA boundary and South of Lompoc into Salsipuedes) were believed to be distinct from the geographical and climatic features that define the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.

Although the appellation contains a few of the more revered older Pinot Noir vineyards in the state, many of our Sta. Rita Hills AVA vineyards are distinct from those of older winegrowing regions. Because most of our vineyards have been planted in the last two decades, we have been able to use modern trellising, newly available ‘cultivars’ or ‘clones’ of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and have been able to implement cultural practices that have been championed in the recent body of viticulture research and literature. While our vineyards and wines have received critical acclaim in a short period of time, we continue to fine tune our vineyard practices and look for ways to improve wine quality as our vines mature.

When first granted AVA status in 2001, the appellation was known as Santa Rita Hills. The name was officially changed to Sta. Rita Hills in January of 2006, although you may still find wines labeled before that date with the previous name.