Malibu Coast AVA

The Malibu Coast is an American Viticulture Area located in the Santa Monica Mountains of western Los Angeles County.[1][2] The appellation is 46 miles long and eight miles wide, rising from the Pacific Coast to an elevation of 3,111 feet.[3][4] The National Agricultural Statistics Service's "California Grape Acreage Report Crop 2015" documented the most widely planted varietals in Los Angeles County as Cabernet Sauvignon (69 acres), Syrah (32 acres), Zinfandel (21 acres), Merlot (20 acres), and Chardonnay (10 acres).[5]

The Malibu Coast AVA designation was granted by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau in July, 2014[6][7][8] but wine grapes have grown in the Malibu Coast as far back as 1824,[9] when the first documented vineyard was planted at Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit by José Bartolomé Tapia.[10] Prior to Prohibition, Los Angeles County was California's largest wine producer by volume.[11][12][13] The first modern day vineyard was planted in 1985 by restaurateur Michael McCarty, with the help of Dick Graff of Monterey's Chalone Vineyard.[14][15] Today the appellation is home to 52 commercial grape growers and 198 acres of vines.[16][17] Notable producers include Dolin Estate, which initiated the AVA[18] and has twice been named one of the Best 101 wineries in America,[19][20][21] Montage Vineyards, Colcanyon Estate Wines and Malibu Sanity.[22][23][24]

References

  1. ^ 79 FR 138 (July 18, 2014)
  2. ^ Robinson, Jancis (2015-09-17). The Oxford Companion to Wine. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-101607-3.
  3. ^ "Malibu Coast Receives AVA Status". The SOMM Journal. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  4. ^ "Malibu Coast becomes newest AVA". The Drinks Business. Union Press. 21 July 2014. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  5. ^ "Grape Acreage Report". National Agricultural Statistics Service. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  6. ^ "California's Malibu Coast winemakers secure AVA status – Decanter". Decanter. 2014-07-23. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  7. ^ "How Malibu Coast Finally Became an AVA – Los Angeles Magazine". Los Angeles Magazine. 2014-09-22. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  8. ^ "8800 Sunset Update; Malibu's AVA Publication". Eater LA. 2014-07-18. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  9. ^ Virbila, S. Irene (2015-04-10). "Vineyards soak up the sun in the 'Napa-bu' hills". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  10. ^ Virbila, S. Irene (2014-07-21). "Malibu Coast vintners gain recognition with new AVA". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  11. ^ "This week Malibu Coast becomes an AVA". Wine Business.com. Wine Communications Group. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  12. ^ Virbila, S. Irene (2015-09-18). "What to do with grapes from 150-year-old vines at Olvera Street? Make wine, of course". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  13. ^ Gross, Jaime (27 April 2010). "Malibu Wines". T Magazine. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  14. ^ "Malibu Wines Come Into Their Own". Departures. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  15. ^ Levine, Allison. "Wine From Malibu?". Napa Valley Register. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  16. ^ "Establishment of the Malibu Coast Viticultural Area". Federal Register. 2014-07-18. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  17. ^ "A Place to Call Home – Pasadena Magazine". Pasadena Magazine. 2016-03-19. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  18. ^ "Unfiltered: Champagne to Dance For". Wine Spectator. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  19. ^ "101 Best Wineries in America for 2015". The Daily Meal. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  20. ^ "101 Best Wineries in America 2016". The Daily Meal. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  21. ^ Virbila, S. Irene (2015-07-23). "Paso Robles' Tablas Creek wins top spot on Daily Meal's list of America's 101 Best Wineries". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  22. ^ "Malibu Becomes Newly Designated Wine Region". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2017-03-10.
  23. ^ Hansen, Kristine. "Malibu's Wine Scene Will Make You Want To Skip Napa and Sonoma". Conde Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  24. ^ "Could Malibu Be California's Next Great Wine Destination?". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved 2017-04-06.