Malibu Coast AVA explained

The Malibu Coast is an American Viticulture Area located in the Santa Monica Mountains of western Los Angeles County, California.^{[1] [2]} The appellation is long and 8miles wide, rising from the Pacific Coast to an elevation of .^{[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 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]}

Notes and References

1. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-18/pdf/2014-16921.pdf 79 FR 138
2. Book: Robinson, Jancis. The Oxford Companion to Wine. 2015-09-17. Oxford University Press. 978-0-19-101607-3.
3. Web site: Malibu Coast Receives AVA Status. The SOMM Journal. 2017-03-10.
4. Web site: Malibu Coast becomes newest AVA. The Drinks Business. 21 July 2014. Union Press. 2017-04-06.
5. Web site: Grape Acreage Report. National Agricultural Statistics Service. 2017-03-10.
6. News: California's Malibu Coast winemakers secure AVA status – Decanter. 2014-07-23. Decanter. 2017-03-10.
7. News: How Malibu Coast Finally Became an AVA – Los Angeles Magazine. 2014-09-22. Los Angeles Magazine. 2017-04-06.
8. Web site: 8800 Sunset Update; Malibu's AVA Publication. 2014-07-18. Eater LA. 2017-04-06.
9. News: Vineyards soak up the sun in the 'Napa-bu' hills. Virbila. S. Irene. 2015-04-10. Los Angeles Times. 2017-04-06. 0458-3035.
10. News: Malibu Coast vintners gain recognition with new AVA. Virbila. S. Irene. 2014-07-21. Los Angeles Times. 2017-03-10. 0458-3035.
11. Web site: This week Malibu Coast becomes an AVA. Wine Business.com. Wine Communications Group. 2017-03-10.
12. News: What to do with grapes from 150-year-old vines at Olvera Street? Make wine, of course. Virbila. S. Irene. 2015-09-18. Los Angeles Times. 2017-03-14. 0458-3035.
13. News: Malibu Wines. Gross. Jaime. T Magazine. 27 April 2010 . 2017-04-06.
14. Web site: Malibu Wines Come Into Their Own. Departures. 2017-03-10.
15. News: Wine From Malibu?. Levine. Allison. Napa Valley Register. 2017-04-06.
16. News: Establishment of the Malibu Coast Viticultural Area. 2014-07-18. Federal Register. 2017-03-14.
17. News: A Place to Call Home – Pasadena Magazine. 2016-03-19. Pasadena Magazine. 2017-04-06.
18. News: Unfiltered: Champagne to Dance For. Wine Spectator. 2017-03-10.
19. News: 101 Best Wineries in America for 2015. The Daily Meal. 2017-03-10.
20. News: 101 Best Wineries in America 2016. The Daily Meal. 2017-03-10.
21. News: Paso Robles' Tablas Creek wins top spot on Daily Meal's list of America's 101 Best Wineries. Virbila. S. Irene. 2015-07-23. Los Angeles Times. 2017-04-06. 0458-3035.
22. News: Malibu Becomes Newly Designated Wine Region. The Hollywood Reporter. 2017-03-10.
23. News: Malibu's Wine Scene Will Make You Want To Skip Napa and Sonoma. Hansen. Kristine. Conde Nast Traveler. 2017-04-06.
24. News: Could Malibu Be California's Next Great Wine Destination?. Travel + Leisure. 2017-04-06.