A Delicious Decade

Sta. Rita Hills Celebrates 10 Years as an AVA

This August, the Sta. Rita Hills, one of California’s most acclaimed wine growing regions, celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its designation as an American Viticultural Area (AVA). To commemorate this decade of distinction, the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance is hosting “Wine and Fire,” a weekend-long event August 12 through 14, that will offer guests an opportunity to learn about the region (located between Buellton and Lompoc) and taste wines from its renowned cool-climate vineyards.

The celebration kicks off Friday, August 12, with tastings and passport events at wineries throughout the area. Saturday’s Decade Seminar at Rancho El Jabali features a discussion and tasting, during which winemaker panelists will present wines representative of the appellation or a particular vintage. In the evening a grand tasting, showcasing the wines of all Alliance member wineries will take place in the courtyard of the historic La Purisima Mission.

“The vines will be laden with grapes, and both winemakers and growers will be in that heightened state of preharvest excitement,” said Kurt Ammann of Dierberg Vineyards and chairperson of the Alliance. “It’s the perfect time to celebrate our 10th anniversary.”