Santa Barbara 2018 Vintage Report
Ideally sequenced and largely stress-free, 2018 goes down as a textbook vintage for Santa Barbara.
The cycle began with a harmonious flowering period. Warm days (avg 19°C) allowed for an even fruit set, establishing the potential for a generous crop.
The growing season was solar and generous. Accumulating 1961 Growing Degree Days (GDD), the summer provided consistent warmth that drove steady sugar accumulation. A key factor was the dramatic diurnal shift (14.6°C), ensuring that despite the daytime warmth, acidities remained razor-sharp.
Harvest proceeded under mixed skies, requiring agility to dodge the 25mm of rain that fell sporadically during the picking weeks.
**Style:** Rich, opulent, and structured wines built for the long haul.
About Santa Barbara
Unique for its transverse mountain ranges, Santa Barbara funnels cool ocean air deep inland. This creates a paradise for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the west, and Syrah and Bordeaux varieties in the warmer east.
Climatic Blueprint
Growing Degree Days (GDD)
Total Rainfall
Sunshine Hours
Diurnal Shift
Frost Days
Average Temperature
Historical Context (10 Years)
Comparison of growing season heat accumulation vs regional average.
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