Happy Canyon is a wonderfully unique and exciting part of Santa Barbara wine country. Earning it's name as a hotspot for bootlegging during prohibition, Happy Canyon differs dramatically from other nearby winegrowing areas. It is shielded from Pacific Ocean in the south by the towering Los Padres mountains and it is just far enough east to avoid other heavy marine influences. As a result it is the warmest AVA in all of Santa Barbara, with temperatures that average 15-20 degrees hotter than some of the more coastal zones. Its mineral-rich soils are also quite uncommon and posses high concentrations of chert and serpentine pebbles.

Because of its ideal climate and soils Happy Canyon has recently emerged as a formidable locale for growing Bordeaux varietals. Despite being only 20 miles from premier Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir vineyards, Happy Canyon fruit is now being utilized by producers such as Crown Point Vineyards, Westerly Wines, and Babcock Winery to make some very compelling Cabernet Sauvignons and Bordeaux Blends. The Vogelzang Vineyard pictured here was one of the first vineyards planted in the area and contains plantings of all 5 red Bordeaux grapes as well as Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and some Rhone varietals. Wines from this seminal vineyard have already gained high critical acclaim and should continue to improve as the vines mature. As this area continues to develop be on the lookout for some ultra high quality warm climate wines hitting shelves near you.