Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2009 |
| Years of wine industry | 25 |
| 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 | Ballard Canyon AVA, Los Olivos District AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA |
| Growing season | 335 days |
| Climate region | Region III |
| Heat units | 3,340 GDD units |
| Soil conditions | Shaly, silty and clay loams |
| Total area | 23,941 acres (37 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 492 acres (199 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 6 |
| Grapes produced | Albarino, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Rosé, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier,Zinfandel |
| No. of wineries | 2 |
Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Santa Barbara County, California within the Santa Ynez Valley landform.
The wine appellation was established as the nation's 195th, the state's 118th and the county's fourth AVA on November 9, 2009 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Wesley D. Hagen, Vineyard Manager and Winemaker of Clos Pepe Vineyards in Lompoc, on behalf of Happy Canyon vintners and grape growers, proposing the viticultural area named "Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara.”
As Santa Barbara County's smallest appellation at 37 square miles (23,941 acres) it cultivated approximately 492 acres (199 ha) according to the petition. Happy Canyon comprises canyon terrain, hills, river and creek basins to the east and south of the San Rafael Mountains, northwest of Lake Cachuma and north of the Santa Ynez River. According to the petitioner and USGS maps, the "Happy Canyon" name applies to a specific canyon within the area. Elevations range from 500 feet (152 m) in the southwest corner to 3,430 feet (1,045 m) in the foothills of the San Rafael Range in the northeast corner. At the outset, it was home to six major vineyards and one active winery. The USDA plant hardiness zones range is 9a to 10a.