Sierra Madre Vineyard shot with clouds and hills in the background

Sierra Madre Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley AVA

Sierra Madre Vineyard is the most northern vineyards in Santa Maria Valley, only 15 miles from the coast, and benefits greatly from its unique marine influence. As its proximity to the ocean dictates, the soils of Sierra Madre Vineyard are marine by nature, and made up of sandy to sandy-loam textures. Soil vigor is low, which contributes to extensive root development, lower yields and concentrated fruit. Two types of sandy loam soil series exist here: Garey sandy loam and Pleasanton sandy loam. Both are well-drained and low in organic material. The Garey series has been deposited over many years by deep water drain ways, and is characteristic of wind modified terraces. The Pleasanton series soils were formed in alluvial deposits derived from sedimentary rock, and have a cobbly clay loam sub-soil. Flying Goat sources clone 15 from the 91.4 acres of Chardonnay, clone 159 from the 5.8 acres of Pinot Blanc and clone 152 from the 11.97 acres of Pinot Gris. SIP certified.

An affiliate of E. & J. Gallo Winery purchased 542 acres of the Sierra Madre property in May 2018. Previously, Doug and Jan Circle had stewardship of the historic Sierra Madre Vineyard from 2003-2018. In 2011, we celebrated 40 years of the vineyard’s rich history with the Circles. First planted to vineyard in 1971, Sierra Madre has a long, storied history of producing some of the highest-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Santa Barbara County.