Ramona Valley AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2005 |
| Years of wine industry | 256 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, South Coast AVA, San Diego County |
| Other regions in California, South Coast AVA, San Diego County | San Luis Rey AVA, San Pasqual Valley AVA |
| Climate region | Region III |
| Heat units | 3,470 GDD |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 16.5 in (419.1 mm) |
| Soil conditions | Ramona, Visalia, Los Posas, and Fallbrook loams |
| Total area | 89,000 acres (139 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 100 acres (40 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 80+ |
| Grapes produced | Albariño, Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Grenache, Malbec, Mataro, Merlot, Monastrell, Mouvedre, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Shiraz, Tempranillo, Valdepenas, Viognier, Zinfandel |
| No. of wineries | 36 |
Ramona Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in San Diego County, California, centered around the unincorporated town of Ramona. It was the 162nd AVA established on December 7, 2005 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Ramona Vineyard Association, currently the Ramona Valley Vineyard Association (RVVA), proposing to establish a viticultural area in central San Diego County named "Ramona Valley."
The viticultural area surrounding Ramona is located 28 mi (45 km) northeast of San Diego and lies entirely within the vast 3,251,042 acres (5,080 sq mi) multi-county South Coast AVA. It also is south of the two previously established viticultural areas within South Coast, Temecula Valley and San Pasqual Valley. The AVA encircles approximately 89,000 acres (139 sq mi) in a 14.5 by 9.5 miles (23.3 by 15.3 km) west-southwest to east-northeast oriented rectangular area. Ramona Valley is geographically a broad, flat valley surrounded by hills and mountains that isolates it from adjacent areas. The valley has an average vineyard elevation of 1,400 feet (430 m) and an annual average rainfall of 16.5 inches (419.1 mm). In 2005, the area had approximately 17 vineyards cultivating an estimated 45 acres (18 ha) of wine grapes. The petitioners noted the area is known for its distinctive microclimate, elevation, and soil attributes.