Sta. Rita Hills is a region in California's Santa Ynez Valley, known for its high-quality, cool-climate wines. The region is especially recognized for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Sta. Rita Hills has a unique east-west orientation among California's coastal valleys, which allows cooling ocean winds and fog to roll through the vineyards, leading to a long growing season that results in complex, well-rounded wines. The climate, along with the sedimentary soils rich in marine fossils, give the wines of Sta. Rita Hills a distinctive character that is recognized and admired among wine enthusiasts.
The region became an officially recognized American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 2001. Despite its relatively small size, Sta. Rita Hills is home to numerous vineyards and wineries, each with its own distinct approach to the art of winemaking.
In addition to its reputation for wine, Sta. Rita Hills offers breathtaking scenic beauty, with rolling hills, beautiful vineyards, and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, making it a popular destination for wine tourism.
