Los Alamos Vineyard, just 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean, lies between the cool Santa Maria Valley appellation to the north and the warmer Santa Ynez Valley appellation to the south. The region seems to have the best characteristics of both wine regions: the firm acidity and structure from a very cool climate, the expressive fruit character, and the rich texture of a warmer region. To date, the Los Alamos Valley does not have a federally approved appellation and wines are labeled under the more encompassing Santa Barbara County designation.