The coastal mountain ranges of the western hemisphere generally run north to south, forming a geographic barrier to the cool marine fog layer over the Pacific Ocean. On rare occasions, however, these coastal ranges are dramatically interrupted - allowing the marine fog layer to be drawn inland. One such interruption of the coastal range is the Santa Ynez river canyon, which runs east to west, cradling the Santa Ynez river as it winds its way to the Pacific Ocean. Flanked to the north by the Santa Rita mountain range, and to the south by the Santa Ynez range, this unique canyon acts as a funnel, drawing a layer of cool marine fog (sea "smoke") over some of the most beautiful pinot noir land in the world.

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