Saddle Rock-Malibu AVA

Saddle Rock-Malibu is a special area for growing grapes in western Los Angeles County, California. It covers about 2,090 acres in the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains, not far from the Pacific Ocean. This area was officially recognized as a place where grapes can grow well on July 17, 2006.

The grapes in Saddle Rock-Malibu grow between 1,700 and 2,236 feet above sea level. There are about 85 acres of vineyards, with most of them between 1,800 and 2,000 feet high. A big, saddle-shaped rock called Saddle Rock stands out in this area, rising 2,000 feet above sea level. It can be seen from far away and is a wonderful natural landmark.

Nearby, there is a place called Saddlerock Ranch, and an important historic site called the Saddle Rock Pictograph Site. This site is a National Historic Landmark. In 2014, Saddle Rock-Malibu became part of an even larger area for grape growing called the Malibu Coast viticultural area, together with its neighbor, Malibu-Newton Canyon.

History

The name "Malibu" might come from a Chumash Indian word that means "it makes a loud noise all the time over there," describing the sound of the ocean. This word was later changed by Spanish people to "Umalibo." The spelling "Malibu" first appeared in 1805 in documents about land grants.

The area around Saddle Rock has a long history, beginning over three hundred years ago when Spanish settlers arrived. It is located between two historic land grants: Rancho Topanga Malibu Sequit to the south and Rancho El Conejo to the north. For many years, this area was used for raising sheep and cattle. By the 1930s, the ranch near Saddle Rock was often visited by Ronald Reagan, who later became the California governor and then the president. When the Pacific Coast Highway was built in 1930, Malibu began to grow into the well-known community it is today. Wine grape growing in this area started in 1997, and by February 2005, there were about 70 acres of grapevines growing on Saddle Rock Ranch.

The Saddle Rock site is very important and was named a National Historic Landmark because of the old drawings made by the Chumash people, which helped travelers in the past.

Terroir

Topography

The Saddle Rock-Malibu area's high elevations, north-facing slopes, and location in the Santa Monica Mountains create a special microclimate. This area gets more sunshine and has warmer temperatures than nearby places with more ocean influence. It is a valley high in the mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,700 feet to a peak of 2,236 feet. Streams flow down from the mountains toward the ocean or the Conejo Valley.

Climate

The Saddle Rock-Malibu area's special climate is its most important feature. Even though it is near the Pacific Ocean, the high mountains and north-facing slopes limit the cool ocean air that reaches it. This makes the area warmer and sunnier during the summer compared to lower coastal areas. The area has about 4,200 degree-days of heat during the growing season, which is warmer than the nearby Malibu-Newton Canyon area. The wind patterns and mountain location help create these unique growing conditions.

Soils

The soils in the Saddle Rock-Malibu area include Cropley clay, Gilroy clay loam, and Hambright loam. These soils are well-drained and have different qualities that affect how grapes grow. They are deeper and hold more water than the soils in the nearby Malibu-Newton Canyon area, which helps make the wines from Saddle Rock-Malibu different. While soil plays a role, the climate and geography are the biggest factors that make this area special for growing grapes.

Viticulture

The first vines in Saddle Rock-Malibu were planted in 1997. Today, they grow Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah grapes. These vineyards are in a special small climate that helps make rich and full red wines.

The name Saddle Rock-Malibu includes "Malibu" because it is a well-known place nationwide. This helps people understand where the wines come from, even though "Saddle Rock" might only be familiar to local people. Before Saddle Rock-Malibu, there was another area named "Malibu-Newton Canyon," which also had similar naming challenges.