FAMILY WINERY SHAKES THINGS UP THESE GRAPES READY TO RUMBLE.

Byline: CAROL ROCK Staff Writer

LEONA VALLEY -- When the Northridge Earthquake hit in 1994 and knocked out water supplies to the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys, it's likely several wine glasses were raised to calm the thirst -- not to mention the jitters.

Now, a boutique winery sitting right on the San Andreas Fault is taking advantage of its proximity to market one of its signature labels.

``In anticipation for the inevitable, we decided to make Fault Line Red,'' the label reads. ``The grapes are shaken, not stirred during fermentation keeping in the tradition of winemaking practices of ancient earthquakes. Please remember, if the Big One hits, we will only be open during low tide.''

The vineyards of Leona Valley Winery stretch along the rolling hillside of the Reynolds' family estate, where David and Corey Reynolds planted their dreams that are now coming up in sweet clusters of succulent grapes.

``We bought the ranch in 2000 and already had 500 cherry trees, which the area is known for. We wanted to plant something different and adventurous,'' Corey said.

``Basically, we decided on wine grapes because we had a common goal to live on a ranch that could pay for itself,'' David said. ``What we're seeing is that dream coming true 20 years sooner than we anticipated.''

The family decided to plant 20,000 grapevines on 20 acres of the ranch, fanning out from their hilltop house, saving a few acres for horse corrals. The first planting was a group of syrah grapes on 9-foot poles.

``It was very ceremonial,'' Corey said. ``I was pregnant with our daughter, Sayge, and my parents were here. We wanted a small section that would be pretty to look at. Syrahs hang down in beautiful clusters and grow very vigorously, so this group became our estate vineyard.''

The location of the vines allowed full sun for only two hours a day, forcing the family to come up with a labor-intensive remedy.

``We handpick the leaves off the vines so more sun can get to the grapes,'' David explained. ``That's why we call it Naked Syrah.''

That remedy has paid off big time, as reserve bottles of the syrah command $75 each. With only word-of-mouth, Internet sales and one wine festival advertising the brand, half of the limited stock is already gone.

The winery got its first public exposure at the recent Antelope Valley Sky Parade, Wine and Food Festival, where it swept the red wine category with its 2004 Malbec, 2004 Petit Verdot and 2004 Cabernet Franc, as well as two people's choice awards for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Rose.

They will be part of the Loose Goose Wine Festival this weekend, pouring not only their award-winners, but also the reserve Naked Syrah and Fault Line Red. The latter already is on the wine list at the posh Le Chene French Cuisine in Agua Dulce and on the shelves at All Corked Up in Canyon Country; the specialty wines will soon be available at Valencia Wine Company.

Peter Goossens, founder of the Loose Goose festival and a wine consultant in his own right, is a friend of the Reynolds' and helped them get started.

``He has a passion for wine and believes that people will appreciate creativity,'' Corey said. ``He has been a big help; he poured wine at our planting party and is always there if we need him.''

The Reynolds' two daughters, 12-year old Ally and 5-year-old Sayge, have taken a deep interest in the winery, while brothers Brandon, 14, and Bryce, 16, have other interests.

``Sayge gets right in there and helps,'' Corey said, showing a visitor a portrait of the youngster cradling a cluster of the estate syrah grapes. ``Ally is training to become a falconer; falcons are natural defenders and keep other birds out of the vineyards.''

Ally is also pictured on the label of their Chardonnay holding an arm aloft with a bird about to take flight. All of their labels were designed by Stevenson Ranch artist John Zeleznik, noted for his fantasy warrior women creations.

``David was inspired by wine labels from years ago,'' Zeleznik said. ``He brings a lot of thought to the labels and has a high concept of how the artwork relates to the wine.''

The current labels make up a series of Women of the Vineyards, depicting harvest and wine-crushing activities as well as environmental portraits reminiscent of Corey and the girls.

While David studies weather reports and soil conditions, Corey still works as a real estate broker to pay the bills.

``We've got a lot to learn, but our hearts are in this. We're not millionaires who decided to retire and open a winery, like some people. We simply believe in the best.''

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

5 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) David and Corey Reynolds of Leona Valley Winery show bottles of their wine on Friday.

(2 -- 3 -- color -- ran in AV edition only) The Reynolds family decided to plant 20,000 grapevines on 20 acres of the ranch in Leona Valley, fanning out from their hilltop house, saving a few acres for horse corrals. One of the wines the vineyard produces is the Naked Syrah. The first planting was a group of syrah grapes on 9-foot poles.

(4 -- 5 -- color; 4 -- ran in AV edition only) Corey and David Reynolds turned 20 acres of their ranch in Leona Valley into a winery that sits on the San Andreas Fault. Taking advantage of its proximity to the fault line, the Reynolds produced a wine called Fault Line Red. ``In anticipation for the inevitable, we decided to make Fault Line Red,'' the label reads. ``The grapes are shaken, not stirred during fermentation keeping in the tradition of winemaking practices of ancient earthquakes. Please remember, if the Big One hits, we will only be open during low tide.''

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer