25 miles northwest of Santa Barbara lies Happy Canyon in Santa Ynez Valley, an area blessed with warm days and cool marine influences with few variations. Nestled among the ridge and valley of this rarified wine-growing region is where you will discover a little bit of paradise, known as Grassini Family Vineyards and Winery. The vineyard is a tranquil refuge where all the conditions necessary for great wine happily converge.
The location is just inland enough so that a north-south mountain range blocks the Pacific coastal breezes, preventing them from cooling the canyons. While certain grape varieties need substantial warmth during the day to mature. This makes Happy Canyon unique and ideal for growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes to optimum ripeness and quality.
Unlike their Santa Barbara Tasting Room, the property in Santa Ynez is not open to the general public. One of the special benefits Wine Club members receive is the opportunity to schedule private tours and tastings at the vineyard.
History
In the 1980s, while on a family vacation to Santa Barbara, founders Larry and Sharon Grassini stumbled upon the 104-acre parcel of untamed land that they now call Grassini Family Vineyards. At the time, they didn't have any plans to build a winery or plant a vineyard, but they knew that this piece of land was too magical to pass up. In the late 90's, the Grassinis realized that the wine industry was starting to bloom in Santa Barbara County, and began to investigate whether or not their land could be a good spot for a vineyard. They called the experts at Coastal Vineyard Care to evaluate the land, looking at soil content, rainfall amounts, sun exposure, and everything in between. They discovered that the property is a great place for growing grapes, and it was a perfect spot to try Bordeaux varietals. Grassini Family Vineyards first opened their winery doors in March of 2010, with daguhter Katie Grassini as CEO.
