Crown Point Vineyard digs into Happy Canyon

Crown Point Vineyards has begun to dig into the Happy Canyon region of the eastern Santa Ynez Valley.

Founder Roger Bower says he purchased the former Cimarone-Three Creek Vineyard because it had mature vines and room to plant more in the coming years.

Harvest will begin later this month. His winemaker is Adam Henkel who came to the area from Napa.

The “Happy Canyon Santa Barbara AVA” appellation is one of the smallest in the country.

Bower says he sees premium wines coming from the region’s soil and unique climate. “It all starts with the grapes and being a good farmer. I think we all consider ourselves grape growers or farmers first and probably winemakers second,” he said. “If you don’t have a good source of grapes you are not going to make a good product.”

The winery has grapes on several different hills and valleys and the wine will be made with the locally sourced harvest.