Santa Barbara 2025 Vintage Report
For much of the season, 2025 looked destined for greatness in Santa Barbara, until the elements conspired against it in the final weeks.
The cycle began with a harmonious flowering period. Warm days (avg 18°C) allowed for an even fruit set, establishing the potential for a generous crop.
The growing season was solar and generous. Accumulating 1833 Growing Degree Days (GDD), the summer provided consistent warmth that drove steady sugar accumulation. A key factor was the dramatic diurnal shift (14.8°C), ensuring that despite the daytime warmth, acidities remained razor-sharp.
The finale was fraught with tension. A deluge of 85mm during the harvest period forced an expedited picking schedule to mitigate botrytis risks, rewarding those who sorted ruthlessly.
**Style:** Powerful but variable, with the best wines balancing the heat with careful selection.
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.
Want to explore vineyards in Santa Barbara?
Discover the estates shaping the legacy of this region.
