Ballard Canyon AVA
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 7,800 acres (12 sq mi) 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.
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2013 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley AVA |
| Other regions in California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley AVA | Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA, Los Olivos District AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA |
| Climate region | Mediterranean |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 11.3 inches (287.02 mm) |
| Soil conditions | Limestone, fine sand and clay loam |
| Total area | 7,800 acres (12 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 565 acres (229 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 10 |
| Varietals produced | 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 |
| No. of wineries | 16 |