Santa Ynez Valley Soil, Terrain & Geology
The Soil & Terrain of Santa Ynez Valley Wine Country
The Santa Ynez Mountains are located south of the AVA and run roughly east-west. They affectively block coastal influence from entering much of the valley except for a relatively narrow opening to the northwest.
Soils in the coastal parts of the AVA are reminiscent of a time when the ocean covered the region. Much of the earth is relatively unfertile due to the abundant fossilized sea-life in the soils. Yields are relatively low and high quality.
At nearby Point Conception, the coastline turns predominantly east-west. Ocean temperatures are much warmer, there is less fog and air temperatures are warmer. Agricultural crops are more tropical southeast of Point Conception.
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