18 years ago I purchased a flower farm and have since turned it into my own slice of Pinot Paradise.  I decided to make this area the home of my vineyard, Fiddlestix, because I wanted to invest in the future of what is now the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in hopes that I could be a part of it becoming a noteworthy place…

I created Fiddlehead (my Winery) to focus on Pinot Noir and the place it is grown is essential to the personality of the brand. Fiddlehead is all about sense of place.  So after my early vineyard source - Sierra Madre - sold in the mid 90’s, and there was little Pinot Noir to be had from Santa Barbara County (and even less that was the top quality that I demanded for Fiddlehead), I knew the only way I could progress my commitment to Pinot Noir was to invest in the development of bare ground.

In 1996 I purchased the land for Fiddlestix.  The first blocks were planted in 1998 with dormant grafted vines, and the first tiny crop of Lollapalooza was produced in 2000!  In 2001, a group of us local winemakers successfully earned the Sta. Rita Hills AVA designation.  

In my time here, I have come to admire what makes the Sta. Rita Hills special.  Here are a few reasons which I believe make the Sta. Rita Hills area so unique:

Sta. Rita Hills AVA at a Glance
More fun facts…

√    Sta. Rita Hills AVA is in Northern Santa Barbara County, California, USA. 

√    Sta. Rita Hills AVA lies between Buellton and Lompoc CA. 

√    100 square acres of hillside land, one of the smallest AVA's in California. 

√    99% of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA lies within the existing Santa Ynez Valley AVA, on the far western end.  Although         independent, Sta. Rita Hills AVA can be considered the Western sub-appellation of Santa Ynez Valley. 

√    Boundaries were established by winemakers and winegrowers in the area, marking maps on foot and in 
       4x4 trucks.  The boundaries were chosen specifically for viticultural viability and for the highest quality 
       Pinot Noir winegrape production. 

√    Approximately 2877 acres planted, mostly Pinot Noir with Chardonnay, small amounts of Syrah, Pinot Blanc, 
      Pinot Gris, Gewurtztraminer, Riesling and other varietals. 

√    Petition to establish Sta. Rita Hills was drafted and submitted in 1997, approved in 2001. 
       Fiddlehead purchased the land for Fiddlestix in 1996. 

In celebration of this unique region, the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance is hosting their annual Wine and Fire Weekend showcasing the accomplished wines and producers on August 15-17, 2014.

Love the place, but hate the crowds?  That’s alright!  Join us for our “Super Pinot Sunday” open house at our Winery & Tasting Room in the “Lompoc Wine Ghetto” on August 17th.  It’s a rare chance to taste our entire Pinot line-up and a unique opportunity to catch up with me before we’re in the thick of harvest!  For tickets and more information, visit us HERE.