Los Angeles Area (Ventura, Malibu, Cucamonga)

Famous for its old-vine Zinfandels and Port-style wines, Cucamonga Valley overlaps San Bernardino and Riverside counties, near Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga.  

At approximately 137,000 acres, the AVA has a winemaking legacy going back to the early 1900s, and while development has replaced many of the vineyards, the winemaking tradition continues.

The tiny Malibu Newton Canyon AVA (850 acres) was approved in 1996, with vineyards planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay varieties.  The area’s high elevation (1,400 to 2,800 feet) and proximity to the Pacific Ocean four miles to the west contribute to its unique microclimate of early morning fog and high daytime temperatures, moderated by cooling coastal breezes.

The Saddle Rock-Malibu AVA was established in 2006 in western Los Angeles County.  The area covers 2,090 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains of which 70 acres are planted to vineyards.  The distinguishing feature of this AVA is its high elevation and location within the Santa Monica Mountains, which limits its exposure to the cooling Pacific inversion and gives it more solar radiation than neighboring areas.  

Located between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, Ventura County has 13 family-owned wineries, which establish the Ventura County Wine Trail. You can visit the Ventura County Wine Trail web site at: http://www.venturacountywinetrail.com.