Nestled in the front range of the Pacific coastal mountains of Southern California, the Ramona Valley has a rich history of vineyards and winemaking, dating back to the early missions. Hot days and cool nights, influenced by the coastal marine layer and fog, contribute to conditions that produce quality wine grapes in the Ramona Valley. The area is a broad valley that is ringed by hills and mountains that isolate it from the surrounding areas. The valley has an average vineyard elevation of 1400 feet and an annual average rainfall of 16.5 inches.
Located approximately 35 miles NE of San Diego, the Ramona Valley American Viticultural Area was approved in January 2006 based on its unique microclimate, terroir, and history for grape production.
The following are excerpts from the January 6, 2006 press release:
American Viticulture Area designations, or “appellations,” were first created under federal law in 1980, and the Ramona Valley is the country’s 162nd area to be granted a designation. Ramona Valley is only the second AVA to be designated in San Diego County and the third in Southern California. It is within the large South Coast AVA which covers all of Southern California south of the Santa Barbara area.
The other two existing AVAs in the South Coast region are the San Pasqual Valley (San Diego County – designated in 1981) and Temecula Valley (Riverside County – designated in 1986).