Leona Valley AVA facts for kids
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2008 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, South Coast AVA |
| Climate region | Arid |
| Total area | 8,600 acres (3,480 ha) |
| Grapes produced | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet |
The Leona Valley AVA is a special area in Los Angeles County, California, where grapes are grown to make wine. It's called an American Viticultural Area (AVA). You can find it in the beautiful Leona Valley, nestled within the Sierra Pelona Mountains in Southern California.
This special wine region, about 13.4-square-mile (35 km2) big, was officially created on October 29, 2008. A government agency that deals with alcohol and tobacco made it official.
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Where is Leona Valley AVA?
This wine region includes the main Leona Valley and the hillsides next to it. It also has some small, separate hills inside the valley. All together, the area is about 8,600 acres (35 km2).
Leona Valley is a long, narrow valley. It is surrounded by the Angeles National Forest. It's in the northeastern part of Los Angeles County. The valley is about 50 miles (80 km) away from the Pacific Ocean. It is also north of the big Los Angeles area.
The San Gabriel Mountains are to the south of the valley. The Santa Susana Mountains are to the southwest. These mountains separate Leona Valley from the Pacific Ocean. To the northeast, Portal Ridge separates Leona Valley from the Antelope Valley and the Mojave Desert.
What is the Soil Like?
The ground in Leona Valley is made of very new alluvium. This is soil that has been carried and dropped by water over time. This new soil is surrounded by very old rocks. These old rocks have broken down into clay. This clay then mixes into the valley's alluvial soils.
What Grapes Grow Here?
Leona Valley is home to several grape growers today. They grow many different kinds of grapes, including:
- Sangiovese
- Zinfandel
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc
- Chardonnay
- Petite Verdot
- Pinot noir
- Syrah
- Malbec
These grapes come from different famous wine regions like France, Rhône, and Burgundy. Many types of grapes grow well here because of the good soil and balanced temperatures.
History of Wine in Leona Valley
Some of California's first wineries were started in and around Leona Valley. These wineries were doing very well. However, a time called Prohibition in the early 1900s caused them all to close. During Prohibition, it was against the law to make or sell alcohol.
People say that when government workers came to destroy the wine barrels, the creeks in the valley turned red from the spilled wine. Even today, some older people in the wine business from places like Napa and Sonoma still remember Leona Valley. They talk about the excellent wines that came from this area before Prohibition.
Many of the grapevines planted a long time ago are still alive. They are still producing grapes that can be used to make wine in the region. The Leona Valley Winery is one active vineyard here today.
