Zaca Mesa is one of the historic vineyards in Santa Barbara County, with deep-rooted Syrah vines and a reputation for producing wines with power and balance. The canyon's warm days and cool evenings support long hang-time and full phenolic ripeness. The combination of rocky soils and elevation yields wines with depth, tannic structure, and savory complexity.
Zaca
Ballard Canyon
Zaca Mesa
Terroir
Elevation
700-900 ft
Soils
Chamise shaly loam and Positas gravelly loam
Acreage
244 acres
“Oldest Syrah plantings in Santa Barbara County. I first made wine from these grapes in 2004 when I was assistant winemaker at Beckmen. Now, I continue the legacy through Tensley and Fundamental.”