Best Wineries in the Santa Maria Valley
The Santa Maria Valley is one of California's coolest and most important wine appellations — benchmark Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from legendary vineyards...
The Santa Maria Valley AVA is one of California's most climatically extreme wine regions — a broad, east-west trending valley directly open to the Pacific Ocean, where afternoon winds can reach 30 mph and fog can persist well into the afternoon. This intense marine influence creates one of the longest growing seasons in California, with grapes often hanging on the vine into November.
The result is Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of exceptional complexity and natural acidity. The Bien Nacido Vineyard — one of California's most celebrated vineyard sites — anchors the appellation, supplying fruit to dozens of prestigious wineries across the state. The valley's distinctive diatomaceous and sandy loam soils contribute a mineral quality that distinguishes Santa Maria Valley wines from neighboring appellations.
Featured Wineries
01
Au Bon Climat
Jim Clendenen's landmark winery helped define the Santa Maria Valley style — Burgundy-inspired Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Bien Nacido Vineyard that set the standard for the appellation.
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Bien Nacido Estate
The Miller family's legendary vineyard has supplied fruit to virtually every great California winery. The estate label showcases the vineyard's extraordinary power through site-specific Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
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Foxen Vineyard & Winery
The Bettencourt family's Santa Maria Valley estate produces outstanding Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah from some of the valley's most distinctive vineyard sites.
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Foxen 7200
The modern tasting room facility of the Foxen wine project, offering the same exceptional Santa Maria Valley wines in a more contemporary setting.
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Presqu'ile Winery
The Murphy family's Santa Maria Valley estate produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of exceptional quality from their estate vineyard, with a beautiful tasting room and event space.
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Riverbench Vineyard & Winery
Estate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Santa Maria Valley benchland vineyards, with a focus on sparkling wine production that takes advantage of the valley's cool climate.
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Kenneth Volk Vineyards
The legendary winemaker's Santa Maria Valley operation produces an extraordinary range of wines from unusual varieties alongside excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
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Clendenen Family Vineyards
The Clendenen family continues the legacy of Jim Clendenen with wines that express the Santa Maria Valley's distinctive cool-climate character.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Santa Maria Valley known for?
The Santa Maria Valley is most celebrated for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir of exceptional complexity and natural acidity. The Bien Nacido Vineyard is one of California's most important single vineyard sites.
How does Santa Maria Valley wine differ from Sta. Rita Hills?
Santa Maria Valley is slightly warmer than the Sta. Rita Hills but still dramatically cool. The wines tend to be slightly richer and more fruit-forward than Sta. Rita Hills' lean, mineral style, while retaining excellent natural acidity.
Where is the Santa Maria Valley?
The Santa Maria Valley is in northern Santa Barbara County, about 70 miles north of the city of Santa Barbara. It's accessible via Highway 101, with the town of Santa Maria as the main hub.
What is Bien Nacido Vineyard?
Bien Nacido is one of California's most celebrated vineyard sites, planted in 1973 in the Santa Maria Valley. It has supplied fruit to dozens of premium wineries and is known for producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of extraordinary complexity.