AJA Vineyards
Get the Dirt from owner Amanda Greenbaum
“AJA Vineyards with its mixture of rocky soils, humid ocean climate and dry hilltop climate make it an ideal place to grow grapes.”
What was your first vintage year? 2011
How many cases do you make per vintage? About 500.
Do you have a Tasting Room? Not yet, but stay tuned!
If not you, who is your winemaker? We work really closely with the guys over at Pulchella: Steve Lemley, Nate Hasper and Joey Perry to help us craft our wines.
What wine made you want to become a winemaker/start your own winery?
I grew up around it since the age of 14. The fact that wine could be made in the US outside of Napa baffled me and I was ready for the “challenge.” Inspired by my family, I am devoted to crafting the best wines from the Malibu Coast. I currently run all operations at the winery following in the footsteps of my father.
What varietals do you work with?
We work with quite a few, including Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, but my favorite varieties to work with are Grenache Gris and Sauvignon Blanc. Both are beautiful fruit, with racy acidity and there’s quite a lot you can do with these two varieties.
What vineyards do you source from?
We have an estate vineyard in the Malibu Coast AVA which is pretty incredible that was first planted in 2011. Amazing unique soils and it’s close to home where we grow Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. With the creation of the Malibu Coast American Viticulture Area, beginning with our 2013 vintage, we have been proud members of the Malibu Coast AVA. The AVA stretches approximately 20 miles along the southern California Malibu shore, venturing up into the Santa Monica Mountains. This is an exceptional location for the cultivating of grapes because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, combined with its mountainous location. AJA Vineyards with its mixture of rocky soils, humid ocean climate and dry hilltop climate make it an ideal place to grow grapes.
We also source from different family owned vineyards and well taken care of vineyards up and down the coast including Camp 4 in Los Olivos, Margerum Estate Vineyards in Happy Canyon and Briarwood Vineyard in Paso Robles.
What type of oak treatment do you use?
Changes depending on the wine! Mostly neutral or French.
What do you love about your winemaking region? What makes it different special?
We have this unique red volcanic rock that comes from deep within the earth’s core and found itself on the surface and in the crevices of the Santa Monica Mountains. This provides a unique fresh and juicy flavor to the wines emphasizing fruit and flowers.
What’s the story behind your winery name / label?
If you’re a linguist, the phonetic spelling for “AJA” is “a-žah”. If you’re anybody else, just pronounce the “J” in AJA the same way you would pronounce the “s” in the word “treasure.” AJA is an acronym for the names of Todd and Heather’s three children, Alec, Jack, and Amanda whom are their greatest treasures.
If you could choose another wine region to work in what would it be?
I visited and worked in South Africa and really enjoyed it. Wine Culture is coming into its own down there. But I’d love to work in Marlborough or conversely somewhere like Ribera del Duero.
For more information about AJA Vineyards, please visit their website or follow them on Instagram.