How We Select the Wine We Make
At AJA Vineyards, we select specific varieties of wine for our clientele based on several factors: what we like, what you like, and what we think you’ll like when you try it!
Selecting Wines We Like
At AJA Vineyards, we’re a traditional California winery with many wines that are often best showcased when grown in California. We select wines that best grow in California soils.
On our estate, our soil is composed of clay, loam, and red volcanic rock. The rocky Santa Monica Mountains were formed many years ago when the Pacific Plate converged with the Oceanic Plate due to plate tectonics. This is why we see the red volcanic rock in our soil, and it adds a unique flavor to our wines.
The climate at our estate is generally considered a Mediterranean climate, classified by warm summers and mild winters. This allows wine grape varieties like Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon to grow quite well on the property, as well as Sauvignon Blanc.
Being a Mediterranean climate, we recognize there are certain regions that are better suited for other wine varieties, such as Pinot Noir. So we seek out vineyards that produce such varieties in preferred weather. Stay tuned for these wines!
Selecting Wines You Like
At AJA, we’re constantly evolving, learning about our wines, our style, and what our clients like. We always want everyone to enjoy something, which is why we have so many different styles and varieties to offer. Prefer something more fruit-forward? Try our Wildflower Rosé. Enjoy something more savory? Our Estate Syrah is excellent. Prefer a little hint of butter in your wine? Try our Chardonnay.
Our goal is to continue bringing wines that make everyone happy, so that we can all sit down at the same table and enjoy the glass of wine we are drinking.
It’s important to also have different wines for different occasions. Sometimes you’ll want a heavier red, and you can try our Cabernet Sauvignon. Other times, you’ll want a crisp white, like our Sauvignon Blanc. Circumstance is everything when enjoying a glass of wine.
We are continuing to grow our repertoire so that everyone has something they can enjoy!
Selecting Wines We Think You’ll Like
As both a proprietor and a sommelier, I have a duty to bring my best foot forward with our wines, and that means both selecting exactly what you want and sharing new wines with you at the same time.
There are tens of thousands of wine varieties all over the world, grown in different regions and from different species: endless opportunities to enjoy wine. There are wines made from the exact same grapes but in completely different styles, and wines made in the exact same style but from completely different grapes.
At AJA, we are fortunate to live in one of the most valuable regions for winemaking: the California coast. There are so many opportunities to try new things.
Every time someone tastes our wines and meets with someone from our team, my hope is that they walk away happy and with a little extra wine knowledge in their back pocket. Whether it’s learning about unique varieties like Grenache Gris or Mourvèdre, or tasting a Chardonnay that’s not overly buttery, I hope people take something away from our tasting room: knowledge, or a bottle.
So, How Can You Taste?
We’re pouring at the Orange County Wine Fest in just a few short weeks! Come visit our booth to taste and learn more.
Or sign up on our mailing list to find out when we’re opening our tasting room! Hint: it’s early 2024.
We hope to see you soon.
Cheers!
Amanda