October 8, 2009: Happy Canyon AVA was established as a sub-AVA in Santa Barbara County. It has a unique terroir, experiencing high temperatures during the day (topping 100 degrees during summers), which drop significantly at night. The wide shift in diurnal temperatures is excellent for Bordeaux varietals. As a result, commonly grown varietals in this Canyon include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Petit Verdot.

October 8, 2017: Wildfires ignite in Northern California’s wine country, killing at least 41 people over the next week and evacuating 20,000 more.

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