Ramona Valley is an AVA in the larger San Diego County AVA in southern California. The region was awarded AVA status in 2006 because of its unique terroir, capable of producing rich, ripe examples of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel.
The AVA covers an area surrounding the town of Ramona, 36 miles (58km) north-east of the city of San Diego. The town sits in a broad, bowl-shaped valley, and vineyards can be found on the surrounding hillsides at altitudes of up to 1400ft (430m).
The climate in Ramona Valley is hot and dry, and its equidistance from the Pacific Ocean in the west and the Colorado Desert in the east means it feels climatic effects from both. The Pacific Ocean, 25 miles (40km) away, offers up morning fog and afternoon breezes, meaning that the temperatures at night are much lower than during the day. This diurnal temperature shift is exacerbated by both the proximity of the desert and the altitude of the area. The overnight cooling of the grapes slows the ripening process, letting them develop complex flavors while retaining acidity.
The well-drained soils are predominantly made up of decomposed granite and red clay, perfect for the development of concentrated fruit. Less water in the ground means the vines will put more energy into the production of fruit, rather than foliage. The resultant wines have a more intense, concentrated flavor.
The wider San Diego County was home to some of the first Vitis vinifera grapes in California, planted here in the late 1700s at the state's first Catholic mission. However, the modern winemaking industry in Ramona didn't really take off until the 1990s, when pioneering vignerons began to explore the potential of the area. Unfortunately, the dry climate of Ramona Valley means that bush fires are not uncommon, and the Cedar and Witch Creek fires of 2003 and 2007 respectively caused a lot of damage to the area.
Nowadays, tiny, boutique wineries are producing a range of mostly red wines, with some whites made from Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscat Canelli (Muscat Blanc a Petits Grains).
