Unexpected Grapes Thrive in Santa Barbara County

Diverse microclimates and Italian grape varieties produce unique wines in California's Central Coast region.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Wine writer Randy Fuller explores the unexpected grape varieties and distinct winegrowing areas that make Santa Barbara County a rising star in California's wine scene. From Italian-style Tocai Friulano and Malvasia Bianca to German Sylvaner and Sagrantino, the region's diverse microclimates allow for a wide range of grape growing and winemaking.

Why it matters

Santa Barbara County is often overshadowed by the more well-known Napa and Sonoma wine regions, but its unique geography and willingness to experiment with lesser-known grape varieties are helping it carve out a distinct identity and gain recognition as an up-and-coming wine destination.

The details

The five distinct winegrowing areas of Santa Barbara County - Santa Maria Valley, Los Alamos Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, and Happy Canyon - provide a diverse range of microclimates that allow for the cultivation of both classic and unexpected grape varieties. Winemakers like Steve Clifton of Palmina are embracing Italian grape varieties like Tocai Friulano and Malvasia Bianca, while others are producing unique wines from German Sylvaner and the Italian red grape Sagrantino.

  • The recent Grand Tasting event "Unexpected Grapes From Unexpected Places" featured many Santa Barbara County wines.
  • The article was published on February 15, 2026.

The players

Steve Clifton

The winemaker at Palmina Wines, which specializes in Italian grape varieties grown in California.

Evan Goldstein

A Master Sommelier who considers Santa Barbara County a "once removed" wine region, meaning it is slightly less well-known than Napa and Sonoma.

Bill Mosby

The owner of Mosby Winery, who imported Sagrantino grape cuttings from Italy to produce the first vintage of that variety in California.

Frank Ostini

One half of the winemaking team at Hitching Post Winery, known for their Merlot.

Gray Hartley

The other half of the winemaking team at Hitching Post Winery, known for their Merlot.

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What they’re saying

“Santa Barbara County is one wine country within an easy drive of Southern California, so it's not unexpected for me to find great wine originating from there.”

— Randy Fuller, Wine Writer (nowandzin.com)

“The five distinct winegrowing areas of the county - Santa Maria Valley, Los Alamos Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, Sta. Rita Hills, and Happy Canyon - make up an extremely diverse wine region.”

— Randy Fuller, Wine Writer (nowandzin.com)

What’s next

The article mentions that the author will visit the San Luis Obispo table at the upcoming tasting event, suggesting there may be more coverage of unexpected wines from California's Central Coast region.

The takeaway

Santa Barbara County's diverse microclimates and willingness to experiment with lesser-known grape varieties are helping it emerge as an exciting and distinctive wine region, challenging the dominance of more famous areas like Napa and Sonoma.