The Ramona Valley AVA is an
American Viticultural Area
An American Viticultural Area (AVA) is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States, providing an official appellation for the mutual benefit of winery, wineries and consumers. Winemakers frequently want their consumers to know abo ...
located northeast of the city of
San Diego in
San Diego County,
California, centered on the community of
Ramona. It was designated the 162nd American Viticultural Area in January, 2006 by the
United States Department of the Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which recognized the area for its distinctive
microclimate,
elevation, and
soil attributes. Approximately in area, it is long and wide. Geographically, the Ramona Valley is described as being a broad, flat valley ringed by hills and mountains that isolate it from the surrounding areas. The valley has an average vineyard elevation of and an annual average rainfall of .
Climate and geography
Located within the large multi-county
South Coast AVA, Ramona Valley was the third AVA to be designated in
Southern California, after
San Pasqual Valley AVA
The San Pasqual Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area in northern San Diego County, California. It is located in the San Pasqual Valley of the Peninsular Ranges, in Southern California.
San Pasqual Valley was the fourth wine region to be ...
in 1981 and
Temecula Valley AVA in 1984. In an interview on
National Public Radio, Bill Schweitzer of the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association described the area's exceptional
viticultural characteristics as being partially derived from its unique location of being east of the
Pacific Ocean and west of the
Colorado Desert
California's Colorado Desert is a part of the larger Sonoran Desert. It encompasses approximately , including the heavily irrigated Coachella and Imperial valleys. It is home to many unique flora and fauna.
Geography and geology
The Colorado De ...
.
Wine production
Currently the Ramona Valley AVA is home to more than 80 commercial
vineyards with over of varieties of both white and red grapes in
cultivation. As of 2016, there were over 20 bonded wineries operating in the AVA.
See also
*
California wine
References
{{reflist
External links
Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau's published rulingRamona Valley Winery Association Facebook
Ramona Vineyard Association
American Viticultural Areas of California
American Viticultural Areas of Southern California
Ramona, San Diego County, California
Valleys of San Diego County, California
Geography of San Diego County, California
American Viticultural Areas
2006 establishments in California