Knights Valley
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Knights Valley is the easternmost Sonoma County, California, wine appellation. The valley borders Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill to the West and, to the East, directly borders the Mayacamas Mountain range. Geographically, the appellation separates the rest of Sonoma County from Napa Valley.
One of Sonoma County's original five American Viticultural Areas (AVA), Knights Valley was formally recognized as an AVA in November 1983. Knights Valley includes approximately 37,000 acres. Over 30 growers maintain the 2,000 acres planted to wine grape vineyards.
Protected from direct Pacific Ocean influence, the valley is the warmest of Sonoma County's viticulture areas. Warm afternoons and cool evenings provide the ideal environment for growing Bordeaux varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon remains the star in the valley. Also present are the rest of the Meritage blend: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petite Verdot, as well as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and Syrah.
Wines designated with the Knights Valley Appellation are: Anakota Wines, Beringer Vineyards, Cane Canyon Cellars, Greenfield Wine Company, Gregory Graham Ledson Winery and Vineyard, Joel Gott Wines, Moran Manor, Olabisi Wines, Pax Wine Cellars, Peter Michael, Summers Winery & Vineyard, Stratford Winery, Stryker Sonoma, Trahan Winery, Bavarian Lion Winery.
