Bud break Santa Barbara County has an unusually broad range of growing conditions within a small area. Starting in the ultra cool, sandy loam Nielson Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley during the early part of the day, he drives over the hill in the afternoon to work in the mildly warmer, rocky-clay soil of the Stolpman Vineyard in Santa Ynez Valley, directly on his way home. Normally, winemakers must travel much farther to obtain such a wide selection of aromas, flavors, and textures.
Long distances mean compromising the time spent in the vineyards.