| Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara AVA | |
| Type: | American Viticultural Area |
| Year: | 2009[1] |
| Country: | United States |
| Part Of: | California, Central Coast AVA, Santa Barbara County, Santa Ynez Valley AVA |
| Similar: | Ballard Canyon AVA, Los Olivos District AVA, Sta. Rita Hills AVA |
| Climate Region: | Maritime |
| Soil: | shaly, silty and clay loams |
| Total Size: | 239410NaN0 |
| Planted: | 492acres |
| Vineyards: | Cimarone, Grassini, Happy Canyon Vineyard, McGinley, Star Lane, Vogelzang Vineyards[2] |
| Varietals: | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Rosé, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Viognier[3] |
| Wineries: | 27 |
The Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Santa Barbara County, California. It was officially designated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury on November 9, 2009 and is the smallest AVA in Santa Barbara County when measured by land under vine, covering 239410NaN0 with 492acres of planted vine. The area comprises canyon terrain, hills, and 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 within the AVA range from 500feet in the southwest corner to 3430feet in the northeast corner, in the foothills of the San Rafael Range. It is home to six major vineyards and one active winery.[1]
TTB received the petition from Wes Hagen, Vineyard Manager and Winemaker at Clos Pepe Vineyards, Lompoc, California, on behalf of Happy Canyon vintners and grape growers, proposing the establishment of the Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara American viticultural area.[4]