This east-west mountain corridor funnels cool ocean breezes and coastal fog into the vineyards. These unique growing conditions develop elegant, intensely flavored Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Ken Brown was the first to understand that the cool climate of the Santa Maria Valley, combined with its southern latitude, makes for an extremely long growing season. This is the key in developing full maturity in the vines and bringing about flavor development, which would not otherwise be possible with such low daytime temperatures. The warm winter of the southern latitude causes an early bloom, which begins the vines' annual maturation cycle.
Harvest often occurs later in the Santa Maria Valley than in other cool growing areas of California.
This long hang time is a significant factor in the development of the bright and lively varietal character of wine from the Santa Maria Valley. The southern latitude of the Santa Maria Valley also contributes to vintage consistency. The rainy season generally does not begin until December, assuring dry weather, high quality grapes and consistent wines. The sandy loam soils of Byron's vineyards produce small grape yields of intense character. This shallowness decreases vine vigor and concentrates energy into the fruit, instead of vegetative growth.