On October 8, 2009, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) formally established a rule designating the 23,941-acre "Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara" American viticultural area (AVA) in Santa Barbara County, California. The Happy Canyon AVA, which lies within the larger Santa Ynez Valley viticultural area, is effective November 9, 2009.The Happy Canyon AVA comprises the area east and south of the San Rafael Mountains, west of Lake Cachuma, and north of the Santa Ynez River. TTB received an application from Wes Hagen of Clos Pepe Vineyards on behalf of Happy Canyon vintners and grape growers, proposing the establishment of the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara American viticulture area. The proposed AVA encompasses 23,941 acres, 492 acres of which are in commercial viticulture in 6 vineyards, including Happy Canyon, Vogelzang, Star Lane, Three Creek, Grassini and McGinley (formerly Westerly).
TTB's rule allows vintners sourcing fruit from the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA to include the designation on their labels. At least eighty-five percent of the grapes used to produce a wine must come from the newly designated "Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara" AVA in order to qualify for brand name purposes. The label will help vintners distinguish their wines from other vineyards in the larger Santa Ynez Valley AVA. Happy Canyon AVA vineyards are known for growing Bordeaux varietals (due to the warm afternoons and cool evenings), including Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Happy Canyon AVA - Official Website
Santa Maria Times: Happy Canyon earns formal wine designation
Examiner: Santa Barbara County's Happy Canyon approved as a new wine appellation
redwinebuzz.com: Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara
1 comments:
You might want to this article, from Friday, as well:
http://tinyurl.com/yzz8htd
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