Sonoma Valley (AVA)
 


Framed by the Sonoma Mountains to the west and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east, Valley of the Moon is the romantic cradle of Northern California’s wine industry. Here, at Mission San Francisco de Solano, the Franciscan monks planted their last and most northerly vineyard in 1823. In 1857 another kind of "father" - Count Agoston Haraszthy, dubbed "father of the California wine industry" - established Buena Vista Winery, launching the commercial wine industry in Northern California. Sonoma's rich history follows its unique terroirs. The Sonoma Mountains reduce the Pacific's cool, wet influence on the Valley of the Moon. In the lee of this range, Sonoma Valley’s annual rainfall is lower than in less sheltered areas. Still, cool air does penetrate from the south, off San Pablo Bay at Carneros, and from the north, through a gap into the Santa Rosa Plain. Though the valley itself is compact, a range of growing conditions and soil types exist from south to north and from valley floor to mountainsides. Subsequent sub-AVA approvals reflect some of these more specific viticultural areas and their distinctive terroirs.

Current Feature

Sonoma County brought scores of wineries and some of its best known winemakers to San Francisco to present the story of Sonoma’s diverse sub-appellations. Both the wines and the one-liners were strongly terroir-driven, making a large, complex wine region come more vividly alive.   [>] continue


Appellation Features

Lost in the Numbers By Dan Berger
December 24, 2005

[>] see all Sonoma Valley features (5)

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Syrah | Shiraz: During the Roman occupation of Gaul you rose to fame as a captive vine turned gladiator. Your legend  [>] continue

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Featured Wines

Schug Carneros Estate Winery 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Heritage Reserve This wine has dense color and structure and bright aromas of violets and blueberries, with flavors of cherries, chocolate and cassis.
buy wine $50.00


Ty Caton Vineyards 2005 Field Blend Deep and rich in color - a field blend of Cabernet, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Merlot and Malbec.
buy wine $22.00

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