| California is a state that produces 90% of all wine in | | | | the heat-loving Syrah thrives in the warmer |
| the US, and the vineyards in the north, in Sonoma | | | | micro-climates. The winemakers also took on the bold |
| and Napa, are among the most famous in the world. | | | | challenge of growing the difficult Pinot Noir, a wine |
| However, they do not have the only quality | | | | resonant with strawberry and herbal aspects. |
| vineyards in the state. The wines from the younger | | | | While there were almost no vineyards in the county |
| southern California wineries are on an equal par to | | | | twenty-five years ago, today the wine industry is a |
| their cousins of the north. | | | | $100 million dollar business. The Santa Ynez and Santa |
| The majority of southern California wine is produced | | | | Maria valley alone grew to 8,000 acres under |
| in two areas, the vineyards of Santa Barbara, 100 | | | | cultivation in the twenty years between 1975 and |
| miles north of Los Angeles, and those close to San | | | | 1995. Between 1995 and 2000, the number jumped |
| Diego, 100 miles south of the city. Both areas have | | | | to 18,000. Today there are over 21,000 acres of |
| been deeply involved in the growth of the California | | | | these vineyards and half of the grapes are being |
| wine industry, an industry that now ships over 450 | | | | shipped to winemakers outside of the county. |
| million gallons of wine a year to the US and other | | | | Temecula |
| countries. | | | | The cultural rivalry between northern and southern |
| Santa Barbara's Vineyards | | | | California is also reflected in the wine business. This is |
| The costal mountains east-west positioning creates | | | | a young industry here; the majority of the southern |
| the valleys that open onto the Pacific Ocean. The | | | | vineyards didn't exist 20 years ago. The first wines |
| flow of fog and breezes that result from this bit of | | | | were produced in Temecula in 1971. |
| serendipitous geography produce the perfect | | | | Twenty-two miles from the Pacific Ocean, the |
| conditions for the world-class varieties of wine that | | | | 1,400-foot Temecula plateau is situated between |
| are the pride of Santa Barbara. The moderate climate | | | | peaks of the Coastal Mountain range. The afternoon |
| produces the most favorable conditions that grapes | | | | breeze blows the smog away, and the unique |
| need for optimal sugar and acid levels. There are also | | | | micro-climate in the area benefits from a higher solar |
| several "micro-climates" near the Pacific Coast and | | | | intensity than Napa Valley. |
| the Pala Mesa mountains. | | | | The vineyards of Temecula are kept moist by large |
| The fifty mile coast from Point Conception to Rincon | | | | underground aquifers. The soil itself is high in |
| forms the longest east-west shoreline on the west | | | | decomposed granite. This helps drainage and keeps |
| coast. The vines here grow on anything and | | | | the soil free of Phylloxera, an invasive insect that |
| everything, from the rolling hillsides to the | | | | destroyed large numbers of old European wine |
| exceptionally warm valleys, where summer | | | | regions. It still remains a problem today. |
| temperatures often reach 100F or 38C. This climate | | | | Close by is Shadow Mountain vineyard. Located in the |
| allows the vintners to work throughout the four | | | | mountains above San Diego, this is the highest vinery |
| seasons: the pruning and weeding is done during the | | | | in California at 4,400 feet above sea level. |
| winter, new planting begins in the spring, canopy | | | | All grapes grow in Temecula, including Chardonnay, |
| management in the summer and finally the annual | | | | White Rhône, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet and the |
| harvest in the fall. This area has a comparable climate | | | | Italian Nebbiolo, which is harvested as late as |
| to the Rhône valley in France, and the winemakers | | | | November. The region produces a wine with a fruity |
| have responded similarly. One particular vineyard is | | | | character, in contrast to the woodiness which found |
| situated on a hillside 1,000 feet above sea level, with | | | | in other California vintages. |
| ideal northern exposure making it the perfect location | | | | The religious men of the Mission of San Juan |
| for the Rhone varietals that are grown here. | | | | Capistrano were the first winemakers in southern |
| There are an abundance of European grapes: | | | | California, and after 200 years, the industry is now in |
| Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sangiovese and | | | | full-bloom. Due to the partnership between wine |
| Syrah. This diversity is made possible by the large | | | | scientists and winemakers, the 1,800 acres of |
| number of micro-climates in the region. For example, | | | | commercial vineyards of southern California are more |
| the cool-climate Chardonnay does well because of | | | | successful than ever. |
| the occasional snow on the mountains. In contrast, | | | | |