Ballard Canyon AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Santa Barbara County, California and established on October 2, 2013 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
The vines in the south of Ballard Canyon are exposed to the fog for a longer period of time compared to those planted at the higher elevations in the AVA's northern vineyards.
[7] The soils in the Ballard Canyon AVA are more uniform than in the larger Santa Ynez Valley viticultural area.
A good level of calcium in Ballard Canyon's soils ensures the development of thick skins and increases the concentration of tannins, sugars and acids in the grapes.
[7] In April 2011, TTB received a petition from Wesley D. Hagen, a vineyard manager and winemaker, on behalf of 26 other vintners and grape growers in the Ballard Canyon area which has long been highly regarded for its red wines made from Syrah and Grenache.