Malibu’s most famous soil structure is the sand of its legendary beach. But higher up, along a canyon road, a different sense of ‘terroir’ has emerged. Approved in 1996, the Malibu-Newton Canyon AVA rewarded the efforts of George Rosenthal, who planted a lone vineyard there in 1987. His successful petition re-established part of Los Angeles County’s once vibrant viticultural tradition, which had been felled by Prohibition and Pierce’s disease. Just four miles inland is the unique microclimate of Newton Canyon, ranging from 1,400-2,800 feet in elevation. At these elevations, early fog and coastal breezes creep into the canyon, but vanish with the strengthening sun. The mild coastal influence returns with evening breezes, refreshing the vineyards from high daytime temperatures. On 25 acres, the winery grows Rosenthal's well-received Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. The success of Malibu Newton-Canyon bodes well for other Los Angeles wineries to lobby for their own AVA...viticultural oases, as it were.