The History of Our Grapes

About Gypsy Canyon

Gypsy Canyon is the tiny historic vineyard of winemaker, Deborah Hall.

Located on California’s central coast in Santa Barbara County’s, Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Gypsy Canyon was established in 1887 with the planting of Mission vines.

During prohibition, the Mission vineyard became hidden under sage brush and forgotten for nearly a century. In 1996 we started the 5-year process of restoring the vineyard. It became known as Marcelina’s vineyard, in honor of the first woman winegrower in Santa Barbara County. Harvest finally came in the fall of 2001.

Searching through eighteenth century books and letters at the Santa Barbara Mission archive library, Deborah Hall came across the winemaking notes of the Mission Padres. She makes their favorite wine, Angelica, a fortified dessert wine.

In 1997, working with Richard Sanford and other pioneer winemakers of the area, we formed the Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance. The AVA was officially recognized in 2001. Our Pinot Noir vineyard was planted in 1999 with two dijon clones, 777 and 115. Our first Pinot harvest was 2003.

Today, our total production is 500 cases consisting of Chardonnay, Estate Pinot Noir and Estate Ancient Vine Angelica.

About Deborah Hall

Deborah is founder and principal of Gypsy Canyon. She is a recognized expert, studied viticulture and enology at UC Davis. Deborah has been growing and making wine with a passion since 1999, tending the vines, growing in naturally vibrant soils and working intimately with Pinot Noir and Mission grapes. Allowing the purest expression of the vineyard site and varietal.

“A vine grown in a healthy environment will reach its highest potential. By the laws of nature it will give you the very best. Berries show intoxicating fragrance and flavors, nourishing our hearts and minds. My goal for each and every vintage is to capture this brilliance for you.”