Sonoma County wine

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Sonoma County (Wine Region)

Vineyards in the Dry Creek Valley AVA in central Sonoma County
Appellation type U.S. County
Year established 1850
Country USA
Part of California, North Coast AVA
Sub-regions Alexander Valley AVA, Bennett Valley AVA,Chalk Hill AVA, Dry Creek Valley AVA, Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA, Knights Valley AVA, Los Carneros AVA, Northern Sonoma AVA, Rockpile AVA, Russian River Valley AVA, Sonoma Coast AVA, Sonoma Mountain AVA, Sonoma Valley AVA
Total area 1,786 square miles (4,626 km²)
Grapes produced Barbera, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignane, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Cinsault, Gamay Noir, Gewurztraminer, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvedre, Muscat Canelli, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Musque, Semillon, Syrah, Tempranillo, Tinta Cao, Touriga Nacional, Viognier, Zinfandel[1]
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Sonoma County wine is wine made in Sonoma County, California, USA. County names in the United States automatically qualify as legal appellations of origin for wine produced from grapes grown in that county and do not require registration with the United States Department of the Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.[2] Sonoma County is one of California's largest producers of wine grapes, far outproducing the Napa Valley AVA.[3]

Contents

[edit] History

Grapes were planted in Sonoma County at Fort Ross as early as 1812. Padre Jose Altimira planted several thousand grape vines at Mission San Francisco Solano in what is now the city of Sonoma, in southern Sonoma County. Cuttings from the Sonoma mission vineyards were carried throughout the northern California area to start new vineyards. By the time of the Bear Flag Revolt in Sonoma and the subsequent annexation of California by the United States in 1854, wine grapes were an established part of agriculture in the region. The vineyards of General Mariano Vallejo, military Governor of Mexican California and based in Sonoma, were producing an annual income of $20,000 at that time[4]. The grape varietals planted would not be considered premium varietals today.

In 1855, a Hungarian named Agoston Haraszthy arrived and purchased the Salvador Valleyo vineyard in Sonoma Valley, renaming it Buena Vista. Commissioned in 1861 by the California legislature to study viticulture in Europe, he returned with more than 100,000 cuttings of premium grape varietals. Many of the immigrants to the area were Northern Italian or from other wine-growing regions of Europe. After the Civil War and before Prohibition, wineries such as Bundschu, Foppiano, Korbel, Simi, Gundlach, Quitzow and Sebastiani were established that still exist.[5]

In the 1920s there were 256 wineries in Sonoma County, with more than 22,000 acres (89 km²) in production. During the Prohibition period, however, commercial winemaking declined. By the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 fewer than 50 wineries in Sonoma County survived. Even as late as the 1960s, only 12,000 acres (49 km²) were vineyards. But wine consumption in American began to grow, and by 1999 Sonoma County had over 49,000 acres (198 km²) of vineyards owned by more than 750 growers and 180 bonded wineries. [6] Of the 250 wineries existing in 2007, over half are less than 20 years old.[7]

[edit] Winemaking

In 2004, growers harvested 165,783 tons (150,396 tonnes) of wine grapes worth US$310 million. In 2006 the Sonoma County grape harvest amounted to 216,000 tons, worth US$430 million.[8] [9] About 73% of Sonoma County's agricultural production is growing wine grapes — 60,302 acres (244 km²) of vineyards[8], with over 1100 growers. The most common varieties planted are Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir, though the area is also known for its Merlot and Zinfandel.[8]

[edit] Appellations

Sonoma County, California
Sonoma County, California

Sonoma County's large number of AVAs (13) reflect the wide variety of climate and soil conditions in the County, the large production in the County, and the prominence of Sonoma County in the wine market. The difference in climate and soil (terroir), means that cooler climate grapes grow well in certain regions and in others warm climate grapes are more suitable. The large production of the County means that each AVA is significant in its own right. The prominence of the California wine industry and Sonoma County in particular has established worldwide recognition of their wine regions.[10] Below is a list of appellations in Sonoma County. [11] At the same time, many consumers have been confused by the many different AVA's within Sonoma County. The growers voted in 2006 to form a Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, representing more than 1,800 growers. The Commission seeks to raise recognition for Sonoma County and encourages all wine from the County to bear the mark, "Sonoma County" on it.[12]

[edit] Alexander Valley

The Alexander Valley AVA is one of the most densely planted of all of Sonoma County's AVAs. Located among the Russian River watershed, the boundary of this appellation extends north of Healdsburg up to Mendocino County north of Cloverdale. Viticultural has existed in the area since the 1850s but the wine industry has only fairly recently experienced success beginning in the 1960s with Simi Winery followed by the success of Chateau Souverain and Jordan vineyards in the 1970s. Significant purchases of vineyard land by E & J Gallo in the 1988 and Kendall-Jackson in 1996 also raised the the profile of the Alexander Valley. Other notable wineries include Geyser Peak winery, Clos du Bois, Murphy-Goode Winery. The profile of Alexander Valley wines has historically centered around the approachability and richness of the wines with Cabernet Sauvignon being noted for characteristic chocolate notes and warm mouthfeel. After Cabernet, Chardonnay is one of the leading varietal plantings followed by Sauvignon blanc and Zinfandel.[10]

[edit] Bennett Valley

The Bennett Valley AVA is one of Sonoma County's newest AVAs and is a principal grape supplier to Kendall-Jackson. The AVA is surrounded to the south, east and west by the Sonoma Mountains and to the north by the city of Santa Rosa, California. The region receives a moderating effect on its climate from Pacific Ocean through the cool coastal fogs and breeze that creep into the area from the southwest through Crane Canyon between Sonoma Mountain and Taylor Mountain.[13]

[edit] Chalk Hill

The Chalk Hill AVA is a sub appellation of the Russian River Valley located near the town of Windsor, California along the foothills at the southern end of Alexander Valley and along the Santa Rosa plain.[10] The name Chalk Hill comes from the unique volcanic soil of chalky white ash which has shown itself to perform well with planting of white wine varietals like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The majority of the region's wineries are located on the western slops of the Mayacamas Mountains.

[edit] Dry Creek Valley

The view from Teldeschi Winery in the Dry Creek Valley AVA
The view from Teldeschi Winery in the Dry Creek Valley AVA

The Dry Creek Valley AVA in the Russian River Valley centers around the Dry Creek, a tributary of the Russian River, and is approximately 16 miles (25.7 km) long and 2 miles (3.2 km) wide. The appellation is known particularly for its Sauvignon Blanc and Zinfandel production.[10] Dry Creek Valley AVA is home to the majority of the Sonoma vineyards of E & J Gallo Winery, who established winery facilities in the valley in the early 1990s.

[edit] Green Valley of Russian River Valley

Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA was formerly known as the Sonoma County Green Valley AVA. Located at the southwestern corner of the Russian River Valley AVA, its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes it one of the coolest appellations within Sonoma County. The climate in the Green Valley is even cooler than other parts of the Russian River Valley, and favors the cultivation of cool climate grape varietals. Seeking to connect the region with the more commercially successful Russian River Valley name, the appellation formally changed its name on April 23, 2007.[2]

[edit] Knights Valley

The Knights Valley AVA occupies the boundaries between the southern end of the Alexander Valley AVA and the northern end of Napa Valley AVA. Some of the earliest vineyards in the area was owned by Beringer Vineyards but now Peter Michael Winery, near Calistoga, is the most prominent winery in the region. The area is known for its Cabernet Sauvignon.[10]

[edit] Los Carneros

The Los Carneros AVA spans across the last, low hill of the Mayacamas Mountains dividing both Napa and Sonoma Valleys just north of San Pablo Bay. The larger portion of the appellation stretches into Sonoma County with grapes grown here also being allowed to use the Sonoma Valley AVA designation. The area's close proximately to the Bay made it an ideal location for Pinot noir and Chardonnay production with producers from international Champagne houses such as Moët et Chandon (Domaine Chandon California), Taittinger (Domaine Carneros), and Cava producers such Gloria Ferrer soon planting vineyards or sourcing grapes from the area.[14]

[edit] Northern Sonoma

The Northern Sonoma AVA is an all encompassing appellation that covers all of Sonoma County with the exception of the Sonoma Valley and some areas of the Petaluma River watershed. The AVA was proposed by the E & J Gallo Winery to accommodate wines made from a blend of grapes from scattered vineyards in Sonoma County.[10]

[edit] Rockpile

The Rockpile AVA is situated at the northwest point of the Dry Creek Valley AVA, past Healdsburg, California. The area was first planted by Italian immigrants at the turn of the 20th century. Many of todays vineyards were formally occupied by a reservoir created by the Warm Springs Dam on the Russian River. The area is known for its fruity, ripe Zinfandel by such notable wineries as Ferrari-Carano Winery and Rosenblum Cellars.[10]

[edit] Russian River Valley

A vineyard in the Russian River Valley AVA
A vineyard in the Russian River Valley AVA

Russian River Valley AVA is adjacent to the city of Santa Rosa and the Russian River, where it bends and cuts through the Coast Range to the coast. The AVA is characterized by the regular intrusion of cooling fog from the Pacific Ocean. The fog flows through the Petaluma Wind Gap and the channel cut by the river. The fog generally arrives in the evening or early morning and retreats before noon in the day. The appellation was granted AVA status in 1983 and accounts for about one-sixth of the total planted vineyard acreage in Sonoma County. In 2005 the AVA was expanded by 30,200 acres to 126,600 by recognizing previously overlooked portions of the fog regions. Presently the Russian River AVA includes more than 15,000 acres planted to wine grapes.[15] At last count, 79 wineries were listed in the Russian River Valley Winegrowers website.

The area is known for its success with cool climate varietals, notably Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.[1]

[edit] Sonoma Coast

Sonoma Coast AVA contains more than 500,000 acres (2,000 km²), mostly along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean. It extends from San Pablo Bay to the border with Mendocino County. The appellation is known for its cool climate and high rainfall relative to other parts of Sonoma County.[1]

[edit] Sonoma Valley

Grapes growing along State Route 12.
Grapes growing along State Route 12.

Sonoma Valley AVA is known for its unique terroir with Sonoma Mountain protecting the area from the wet and cool influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean. The Sonoma Mountains to the west help protect the valley from excessive rainfall. The cool air that does affect the region comes northward from San Pablo Bay through the Carneros region and southward from the Santa Rosa Plain. Sonoma Valley has played a significant role in the history of California wine. The first vineyards in the valley were planted by Franciscan monks at Mission San Francisco Solano in 1823. In 1857, Agoston Haraszthy established one of California's first successful commercial wineries here when he founded Buena Vista Winery.[1]

[edit] Sonoma Mountain

Sonoma Mountain AVA is centered on the Sonoma Mountain landform in the Sonoma Mountains. The appellation includes the town of Glen Ellen, California and is bordered on the west by the Sonoma Valley AVA. The area is known for the diverse micro-climates that occur within the crevices and folds of the hillside terrain and as such is home to production for a wide range of varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Zinfandel.[1]

[edit] Notable wineries

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Appellation America (2007). "Sonoma County: Appellation Description". Retrieved Jan. 4, 2008.
  2. ^ a b Code of Federal Regulations. "§ 4.25 Appellations of Origin." Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 4 — Labeling and Advertising of Wine; Subpart C — Standards of Identity for Wine. Retrieved Jan. 4, 2008.
  3. ^ J. Robinson "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 342 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906
  4. ^ Sonoma County Winegrape Commission
  5. ^ Sonoma Winegrape Commission
  6. ^ Sonoma County Vintners: Winemaking Timeline. Retrieved 10 July 2007.
  7. ^ Sonoma County Vintners: History Overview. Retrieved 10 July 2007.
  8. ^ a b c Sonoma County Office of Agricultural Commissioner, 2006 Agricultural Crop Report. Retrieved 11 July 2007.
  9. ^ Sonoma County Vintners association: Year 2006 Sonoma County grape harvest statistics. Retrieved 10 July 2007
  10. ^ a b c d e f g J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 643 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906
  11. ^ H. Johnson & J. Robinson The World Atlas of Wine pg 273 Mitchell Beazley Publishing 2005 ISBN 1840003324
  12. ^ Sonoma County Winegrape Commission
  13. ^ Appellation America, Bennett Valley AVA-appellation description
  14. ^ J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 140-141 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906
  15. ^ Russian River Valley Winegrowers