Santa Ynez Valley AVA

{{short description|Wine region in Santa Barbara, California, United States}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2021}}

{{Infobox Wine Region

| name = Santa Ynez Valley AVA

| image = Sunstone-Vineyards-in-Santa-Ynez-Valley-Winetour-Visit-American-Luxury-Limousine-2015.jpg

| caption = Sunstone Vineyards

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| type = American Viticultural Area

| year = 1983{{cite journal |title=Santa Ynez Valley Viticultural Area |url=https://www.ttb.gov/media/69071/download?inline|journal=Federal Register|volume=48 |issue=74|pages=16250-16253 |publisher=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury |format=27 CFR Part 9 [T.D. ATF-132; Reference Notice No. 435] Final Rule |date=1983-04-15}}{{PD notice}}

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| country = United States

| part of = California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County

| similar = Alisos Canyon AVA, Santa Maria Valley AVA

| sub regions = Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA, Ballard Canyon AVA, Los Olivos District AVA

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| total size = {{convert|42880|acre|sqmi|0|order=flip}}{{cite web |website=Wine Institute |date=2008 |url=http://www.iwineinstitute.com/ava/avabystate.asp |title=American Viticultural Areas by State |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127115948/http://www.iwineinstitute.com/ava/avabystate.asp |archive-date=2008-01-27 }}

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| grapes = Albarino, Arneis, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Counoise, Grenache, Grenache blanc, Lagrein, Malbec, Malvasia, Marsanne, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli, Nebbiolo, Negrette, Petit Verdot, Pinot blanc, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tocai Friulano, Viognier, Zinfandel{{cite web |website=Appellation America |date=2007| url=http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Santa-Ynez-Valley.html |title=Santa Ynez Valley (AVA): Appellation Profile|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205093145/http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Santa-Ynez-Valley.html|archive-date=2008-12-05 |accessdate=January 25, 2008|url-status=live}}

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The Santa Ynez Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Santa Barbara County, California established on May 16, 1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after approving a petition submitted by Firestone Vineyard, a bounded winery in Los Olivos, California.{{cite web |author1=Firestone Winery |title=Petition |url=https://www.ttb.gov/media/69074/download?inline |website=TTB |publisher=Alcohol and Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau, Treasury |access-date=20 August 2024 |date=1981-09-01}}{{PD notice}} It is part of the larger Central Coast AVA, and contains the greatest concentration of wineries in Santa Barbara County. The valley is formed by the Purisima Hills and San Rafael Mountains to the north and the Santa Ynez Mountains to the south creating a long, east-west corridor with very cool temperatures on the coast that become progressively warmer inland.{{Cite magazine |last=Mowery |first=Lauren |date=May 9, 2024 |title=How Santa Ynez Valley Quietly Stole The Spotlight From California’s Prestige Wine Regions |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lmowery/2024/05/09/how-santa-ynez-valley-quietly-stole-the-spotlight-from-californias-prestige-wine-regions/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |magazine=Forbes |language=en}} The Santa Ynez River flows east to west on the valley floor toward the Pacific Ocean. As of 2021, the Santa Ynez Valley contains four other established viticultural areas: Sta. Rita Hills on its western boundary; Ballard Canyon and Los Olivos District occupying the center region; and Happy Canyon on the eastern border. Chardonnay is the most planted grape variety in the cooler, western portion of the valley while Rhône varieties thrive in the eastern locales.