Vintage Malibu

Malibu wines are on the rise, evidenced by the fact that the new Malibu Coast AVA- American Viticultural Area – was recently approved in July. This is a major victory for long-time advocates of Malibu’s ripe terrain for winemaking, namely vintner Elliott Dolin who in 2011, along with a group of other Malibu growers, got together to petition the creation of a Malibu Coast AVA. In 2006, Dolin Estate was established when Elliott Dolin and his wife Lynn planted 900 Chardonnay vines on their stunning Malibu property which overlooks the ocean. Dolin’s objective was to produce the best fruit that the Malibu Coast region would permit, thereby creating the best wine possible from this fruit.

The vines grow in Zuma volcanic soil on a southern-facing slope in their backyard. Dolin Estate Chardonnay offers a ripe, juicy and creamy mix of tropical fruit, with guava, pineapple and vanilla notes, turning delicate and spicy on the finish. It was also the recipient of several awards like Double Gold at the 2012 SF Chronicle wine competition- in the same class as Rombauer, Trefethen and Cakebread. Having produced the Chardonnay since 2009, Dolin will introduce additional Malibu wines from neighboring vineyards in 2015, as Dolin Estate is expanding from Malibu Coast to the Central Coast with four Pinot Noir wines from premier vineyards. The charming owner and winegrower- and real estate developer- got into wine as a hobby, then got really into it while taking serious courses which cemented his winemaking endeavor. And by the looks of things, Dolin has turned his delicious wines into a bona fide business. It’s all in the grapes…and Malibu. www.dolinestate.com