Saddle Rock-Malibu AVA
| Wine region | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 2006 |
| Years of wine industry | 28 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | California, Los Angeles County, Malibu Coast AVA |
| Other regions in California, Los Angeles County, Malibu Coast AVA | Malibu-Newton Canyon AVA |
| Growing season | 296 days |
| Climate region | Region V |
| Heat units | 4,200 GDD |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 11.31 in (287 mm) |
| Soil conditions | Rocky clay loam and clay loams |
| Total area | 2,090 acres (3 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 85 acres (34 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 1 |
| Grapes produced | Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Mourvedre, Petit Verdot, Orange Muscat, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah / Shiraz, Viognier |
| No. of wineries | 1 |
Saddle Rock-Malibu is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in western Los Angeles County, California that expands about 2,090 acres (3.27 sq mi) in the Santa Monica Mountains, approximately 32 miles (51 km) west of downtown Los Angeles and 5 miles (8.0 km) inland from the Pacific Ocean. It was established on July 16, 2006 by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Lisa A. Semler and Derek Baugh of Semler Malibu Estate Vineyards of Malibu, California, proposing a viticultural area named "Saddle Rock-Malibu." The viticultural area lies between 1,700 and 2,236 feet (518 and 682 m) in elevation and has 85 acres (34 ha) of vineyards located between 1,800 and 2,000 feet (550 and 610 m) in elevation. In the hills of Malibu near the center of the viticultural area, Saddle Rock is a prominent saddle-shaped rock formation that rises 2,000 ft (610 m) above sea level and seen from miles away as monuments to the natural wonders of mountain forming. Saddlerock Ranch is located within the area, and the Saddle Rock Pictograph Site, located on the ranch between Saddle Rock and Mitten Rock, is a National Historic Landmark. Saddlerock Ranch and Saddlerock Vineyard, named after the striking stone landmark that looks like a saddle, can be found. In 2014, Saddle Rock-Malibu and its adjacent neighbor Malibu-Newton Canyon became sub-appellations within the newly established 44,590 acres (69.67 sq mi) Malibu Coast viticultural area.