Sommeliers of the American Riviera 2026 Santa Barbara County Albariño, Grüner Veltliner & Vermentino Review Thanks to Santa Barbara County's east–west orientation, with the cold Pacific to the west and the rising sun to the east, the region is home to every grape growing climate on earth, all in the distance of about thirty miles. The antithesis of a one-trick pony, Santa Barbara County is home to over seventy different grape varieties offering local winemakers a full palette and spacious canvas for artistic expression. Let's dive into some less common, crisp, vibrant, aromatic whites (just in time for summer). Albariño is one of Spain’s most important white grape varieties. Its most famous renditions hail from the region of Rías Baixas (lower estuaries) in the autonomia of Galicia, on the cool Atlantic Ocean in the northwest. Grüner Veltliner originates in the eastern part of Austria, near the Czech border. Its most prestigious producers can be found in the region of the Wachau, on the steep, rocky terraces of the Danube River. The origins of Vermentino are highly disputed. The Italian regions of Piemonte, Liguria, and Toscana, as well as the islands of Sardegna and Corsica all lay claim. One thing is for certain, Serdegna's Vermentino di Gallura is the only DOCG on the island as well as the only DOCG for Vermentino in Italy. For its annual review, Sommeliers of the American Riviera (StAR) tastes blind, that is to say that those judging are blind to the identities of participating producers. The wines are judged solely on their appearance, aroma, flavor, and structure, according to what the international sommelier community considers to be a classic example of the highest quality wine a given grape variety can produce when grown in a particular region. Of the 21 wines tasted for the StAR 2026 Santa Barbara County Albariño, Grüner Veltliner & Vermentino Review, the following received 90 points or higher: ALBARIÑO Âmevive, 2025 Martian Ranch Vineyard, Alisos Canyon - 96 Alice Anderson & Topher de Felice, winemakers Matilija Wines, 2025 Santa Barbara County - 95 DaFoe, 2024 Santa Ynez Valley - 94 LaBarge, 2024 Estate, Sta. Rita Hills - 94 Brick Barn, 2023 Estate, Santa Ynez Valley - 93 —hors concours— Brij Wines, 2025 SLO Coast - 93 GRÜNER VELTLINER Holus Bolus: Amy & Peter Made This, 2024 John Sebastiano Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills - 95 Amy Christine & Peter Hunken, winemakers Luna Hart, 2024 Spear Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills - 94 Spear Vineyard, 2024 Estate, Sta. Rita Hills - 94 Coquelicot, 2022 Estate, Los Olivos District - 93 Solminer, 2025 Santa Barbara County - 92 Story of Soil, 2025 Fiddlestix Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills - 92 VERMENTINO Barbieri, 2024 Open Gate Vineyard, Los Olivos District - 95 Paolo Barbieri, winemaker Section Wines, 2025 Sanger Vineyard, Los Olivos District - 95 Marco Lucchesi, winemaker Brick Barn, 2023 Estate, Santa Ynez Valley - 94 St. Avalo, 2024 Estate, Los Olivos District - 94 Carr Winery, 2025 Open Gate Vineyard, Los Olivos District - 93 Foxen, 2024 Estate, Santa Ynez Valley - 93 Vega Vineyard & Farm, 2025 Estate, Santa Ynez Valley - 93 Blair Fox Cellars, 2025 Fox Family Vineyard, Los Olivos District - 92 Tasting Notes: Âmevive, 2025 Albariño: clear, golden color with a green hue | high aromatic intensity | flavors and aromas of orange blossom, jasmine, apricot, peach, pear nectar, green papaya, lemon drop, green tea and ginger | silky texture, bright acidity, light body and mild alcohol. Holus Bolus: Amy & Peter Made This, 2024 Grüner Veltliner: clear, pale straw color | high aromatic intensity | flavors and aromas of fresh linens, citrus fruits, lemon zest, marzipan, white pepper | soft texture, vibrant acidity and mild alcohol. Barbieri, 2024 Vermentino: pale straw color | elevated aromatic intensity | flavors and aromas of powdered milk, quince jam, golden apple, pineapple, candied orange, passion fruit and delicate white flowers | smooth texture, bright acidity, mild alcohol. Section Wines, 2025 Vermentino: pale straw to white in color | high aromatic intensity | flavors and aromas of by peach, apricot, pear, green apple, pineapple, sea salt, minerals, dried flowers and light green herbs | smooth texture, vibrant acid, mild to warm alcohol. External Links:  Âmevive   Holus Bolus   Barbieri   Section Wines   Thank you to all the producers that participated in this project, and congratulations especially to Âmevive, Holus Bolus, Barbieri and Section Wines! Your hard work and passion bring joy to us all. Emily Johnston, founding member Carlos Mascherin, founding member Kathryn Hope, senior member Tristan Pitre, team member