Ballard Canyon AVA
{{Short description|Winemaking region in California, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates | date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox wine region
| name = Ballard Canyon AVA
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| type = American Viticultural Area
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| country = United States
| part of = California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley AVA
| similar = Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, Los Olivos District AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA
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| climate region = Mediterranean{{cite web | url=https://www.ballardcanyonava.org/new-page-1|title=Climate | website=Ballard Canyon AVA }}
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| precipitation = {{convert|11.3|in|mm|2}}{{cite web | url=https://en.climate-data.org/north-america/united-states-of-america/utah/ballard-128125/ | title=Ballard Climate (United States of America) | website=Climate-Data.org}}
| soil = Limestone, fine sand and clay loam{{cite web | url=
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/10/02/2013-23944/establishment-of-the-ballard-canyon-viticultural-area | title= Establishment of the Ballard Canyon Viticultural Area
| website=Federal Register | publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau | date=2013-10-02 | format= 78 FR 60693 27 CFR 9 Doc#: 2013-23944 | pages= 60693–60695 }}{{PD-notice}}
| total size = {{convert|7800|acres|sqmi|0}}
| planted = {{convert|565|acres|ha|0}}
| grapes =
| varietals = Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Cinsault, Counoise, Grenache, Grenache Blanc, Malvasia Bianca, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, Zinfandel{{cite web | url=https://www.ballardcanyonava.org/facts |title=Facts | website=Ballard Canyon AVA }}
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Ballard Canyon AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Santa Barbara County, California and established on October 2, 2013 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The {{convert|7800|acres|sqmi|0}} designated area lies west of Ballard and Solvang townships while in the center of the Santa Ynez Valley viticultural area, which in turn, is within the perimeter of the larger multi-county Central Coast viticultural area. As of 2021, the Santa Ynez Valley AVA contains three other established viticultural areas: Santa Rita Hills, which lies to the west; Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara to the east of the Ballard Canyon. Los Olivos District borders Ballard Canyon's eastern perimeter while Santa Rita Hills and the Happy Canyon areas do not share boundaries nor overlap Ballard Canyon. The USDA plant hardiness zone for the AVA is 9b.{{cite web | url=https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/# | title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map | website=United States Department of Agriculture | date=2012}}
Terroir
=Climate=
Winds are funneled into the Santa Ynez Valley from the Pacific Ocean via a gap between the Santa Rita Hills and the Purisima Hills. However, the north-south orientation of Ballard Canyon shelters the vineyards from the worst effects of these maritime influences. Fog flows in from the coast in the early hours of the morning and retreat again in the afternoon. The vines in the south of Ballard Canyon are exposed to the fog for a longer period of time compared to those planted at the higher elevations in the AVA's northern vineyards. These factors, in combination with high diurnal temperature variations of approximately 40 Fahrenheit degrees (roughly 22 Celsius degrees), slows the ripening process enough that acidity levels are not compromised. The wines produced are therefore balanced and fresh.{{cite web | url=https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-ballard+canyon | title=Ballard Canyon Wine | website=Wine-Searcher}}
=Soil=
The soils in the Ballard Canyon AVA are more uniform than in the larger Santa Ynez Valley viticultural area. They are made up of sand and clay loam with good drainage capacities. Limestone is also present in certain northern vineyard plots. Vines planted in the steeper vineyard sites are able to develop deep root systems in search of water in the area's arid environment, thereby increasing vine strength. A good level of calcium in Ballard Canyon's soils ensures the development of thick skins and increases the concentration of tannins, sugars and acids in the grapes. This helps to produce richly flavored, well-balanced wines.
Wine Industry
In April 2011, TTB received a petition from Wesley D. Hagen, a vineyard manager and winemaker, on behalf of 26 other vintners and grape growers in the Ballard Canyon area which has long been highly regarded for its red wines made from Syrah and Grenache.{{cite news |author1=Thies Sell, Wendy |title=Ballard Canyon becomes its own American Viticultural Area |url=http://www.santamariasun.com/eats/10594/ballard-canyon-becomes-its-own-american-viticultural-area/ |work=Santa Maria Sun. |date=2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116182133/http://www.santamariasun.com/eats/10594/ballard-canyon-becomes-its-own-american-viticultural-area/|archive-date=2020-11-16 |url-status=live}} The viticultural area contains about {{convert|7800|acres|sqmi}} where 10 commercially producing vineyards cultivate approximately {{convert|565|acres|ha}} with Syrah being the primary varietal.{{cite web |url=https://www.decanter.com/premium/ballard-canyon-ava-and-must-try-wines-424117/|title=Ballard Canyon AVA and must try wines |author=Luczy, Matthew |date=2019-09-09| website=Decanter}}
References
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External links
- [https://www.ballardcanyonava.org/ Ballard Canyon AVA]
- [https://sbcountywines.com/portfolio_page/ballard-canyon/ Ballard Canyon] Santa Barbara Vintners Association
- [https://www.santaynezwinecountry.com/ Santa Ynez Wine Country Association]
- [https://www.ttb.gov/AVA/ TTB AVA Map]
{{coord | 34.62414 |-120.11853 |format=dms|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-CA_dim:27000}}
Category:American Viticultural Areas of Santa Barbara County, California
Category:2013 establishments in California
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