Wine CountryThe Santa Maria Valley Wine Region & AVASanta Maria Valley Wineries & WinemakersA Guide to Wine Tasting in Santa Maria ValleySanta Maria Wine VarietalsSanta Maria Wine TrolleyFoxen Canyon Wine Trail$500 3-Day Getaway Book A Room Meet our varietals — Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah The Santa Maria Valley unfolds along the northern perimeter of Santa Barbara County on California’s Central Coast. The valley’s rare east-west orientation channels cool ocean air directly into the region, bathing the vineyards with cool Pacific fog. Our transverse geography produces a Mediterranean climate and one of California’s longest growing seasons, making for what experts have called “the world’s most dynamic wine-growing region.” The crucial extra time grapes spend on the vine, coupled with our complex soil conditions, makes for more flavorful and balanced grapes. The Santa Maria Valley AVA has two distinct wine-growing areas, on the Santa Maria Bench and off the Santa Maria Bench. Wines grown on the Santa Maria Bench, which is nestled in the Tepusquet Foothills, have earthier and more rounded textures because of the alluvial soils and foggier weather. Wines grown off the Bench, which is closer to sea level, have fruitier and spicier flavors because they are exposed to more sun. Ultimately, these unique growing regions result in complex Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah—our valley’s three flagship varietals. Santa Maria Chardonnay Chardonnay, a green-skinned grape, is the most popular grape variety in the United States and the most planted white wine-producing grape in the world. Chardonnay is known to be hearty and able to grow in many different climates, but it finds a special home in the Santa Maria Valley’s cool, Mediterranean climate. Chardonnay is most often associated with a rounded, buttery texture and warm flavors. The underlying flavor profile of a wine, including Chardonnays, is largely dependent on how the batch is aged: in oak barrels or in steel barrels. Aging Chardonnay in oak produces strong notes of wood and vanilla while aging it in steel barrels produces crisper, fruitier flavors. Santa Maria Pinot Noir Pinot Noir is a flavorful, light-bodied red grape that produces spicy, acidic and versatile wines. It’s believed that the ancient Romans were some of the first people to grow and produce Pinot Noir. This popular red wine thrives in the same climate as Chardonnay, which is why both varietals grow so well on California’s Central Coast. Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow because the grapes cluster together in tight bunches, making them easy targets for fungi. Pinot Noirs grown in different AVAs throughout the world have different flavor profiles, but Pinot Noir grown on the Central Coast is known for having fruity, spicy and warm vanilla undertones. Like Chardonnay, aging Pinot Noir in oak barrels can make the vanilla undertones more prominent, while aging in steel highlights the fruity notes. Santa Maria Syrah Sometimes known as Shiraz, Syrah is the dark-skinned grape that rounds out Santa Maria Valley’s big three varietals. Throughout the world, Syrah is grown on more acres than Pinot Noir, but on less than Chardonnay. Syrah grapes are responsible for some of the darkest and most full-bodied red wines, and they are much darker than Pinot Noir. Syrah wines are known to have berry undertones, but can surprise sippers with notes of mint, pepper, rosemary, and even meat! Syrah grown and produced in the cool climate of the Santa Maria Valley includes notes of berries and pepper. Syrah is most often aged in oak barrels, but can occasionally be aged in steel. Learn more about the Santa Maria Valley AVA
The Garden Mediterranean Restaurant & Cafe The Garden provides exceptional customer service, delightful cuisine, incomparable atmosphere & the best dining experience of your life! Visit us Today!
Old Town Market & Antiques Old Town Market is a family owned corner grocery store that serves the grocery needs of Old Orcutt. Store owners Mark and Wendy Steller purchased the store in 2004, having spent all of their previous working lives in retail management. Their idea of a Grocery Store was to make it the old “Mom & Pop” store […]
Pismo Preserve The Pismo Preserve is a stunningly beautiful outdoor nature preserve located 20 minutes north of Santa Maria, in Pismo Beach at the southern end of San Luis Obispo County. The preserve consists of 880 acres of untouched natural space, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, birdwatching and more. Guests will see native plant […]
Rancho Sisquoc Winery Crafting quality wines in small quantities for more than 40 years. Rancho Sisquoc’s vineyards grow some of the most sought-after grapes on the Central Coast, and only their estate-grown grapes are used in crafting their award-winning wines. Varietals include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Johannesburg Riesling, Malbec, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Petit Syrah, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, […]
February 01 Old Orcutt's First Friday Come out and enjoy an evening in Old Orcutt. Merchants stay open late on the first Friday of the month. Drink, food, and shopping specials.
March 01 Old Orcutt's First Friday Come out and enjoy an evening in Old Orcutt. Merchants stay open late on the first Friday of the month. Drink, food, and shopping specials.
April 01 Old Orcutt's First Friday Come out and enjoy an evening in Old Orcutt. Merchants stay open late on the first Friday of the month. Drink, food, and shopping specials.
May 01 Old Orcutt's First Friday Come out and enjoy an evening in Old Orcutt. Merchants stay open late on the first Friday of the month. Drink, food, and shopping specials.