Winemakers rally to oppose ban on new vineyards in newly-created Malibu Coast AVA
Only months after the creation of the new Malibu Cast AVA, winemakers are battling with local authorities to stop a ban on new vineyard plantings coming into force.
Louis Villard is an experienced wine writer based in Santa Barbara, California. Besides Decanter, he has contributed publications such as Imbibe, Wine-Searcher, Catavino, Zester Daily, Edible Magazine and The Santa Barbara Independent. He also writes a wine blog called Spiltwine. Formerly, he assisted winemakers at Domaine de la Sauvageonne in Languedoc and Rusack Vineyards in Santa Barbara. He was a sommelier at the Savoy Grill for Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing.
Only months after the creation of the new Malibu Cast AVA, winemakers are battling with local authorities to stop a ban on new vineyard plantings coming into force.
Sommelier Rajat Parr and winemaker Sashi Moorman plan to create a new 'domaine' in the Santa Rita Hills AVA of Santa Barbara County.
Mayacamas, the historic Napa vineyard and winery, has been purchased by former Screaming Eagle owner Charles Banks.
The founder of iconic estate Au Bon Climat, Jim Clendenen, is to receive an award honouring his contribution in promoting Santa Maria Valley.
Bonny Doon founder Randall Grahm is about to be awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Rhone Rangers organisation.