Once the first – always the first. In 1971, the first pioneering vineyards in Santa Barbara were planted at Sanford Winery. This renowned cool climate AVA was not only launched by the planting of the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, but also expanded to neighbors' plantings through cuttings from this vineyard. For over 40 years now, this iconic vineyard has set the standard for quality in the region and is also home to the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the county. Today the estate is owned, farmed and cared for by the Terlato family and is comprised of the Sanford & Benedict and La Rinconada Ranches and their vineyards.
For more than 40 years, Sanford has been the pioneer in Santa Barbara County. The first vintages from the historic Sanford & Benedict Vineyard quickly proved that the area was ideally suited to growing grapes and producing wines of high quality and complexity that would cause these wines to stand shoulder to shoulder with the great wines of the world.