Dr. Ruths Vineyard

Located 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean with an average elevation of 800 feet, Dr. Ruths Vineyard consists of steep (20 to 40 degrees), mostly East facing, slopes.  Two mountain ranges approximately 2600 feet and 1600 feet in elevation intervene between the vineyard and the Pacific Ocean protecting the vineyard from severe marine layer humidity (and mildew pressure) but allowing for a cooling influence.  The Easterly aspect of the vineyard allows for early sunlight to burn off morning fog and protects the vines from excessive afternoon sun, allowing for optimal hangtime.  Warm days and cool nights, with a heat summation of approximately 3400 degree days (similar to the Ballard Canyon AVA in Santa Barbara), result in harvest for white grape varietals in mid to late August and red grape varietals in early to mid-October.  The soil at Dr. Ruths Vineyard consists of a shallow layer of sandy, silty loam covering granite bedrock.  The soil is fairly calcareous with 3% calcium carbonate content and a pH of 7.4.  Most vines required pick axing (a jackhammer would have been easier) for planting.  Truly a unique mesoclimate within the Malibu Coast AVA.