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The Alexander Valley is a Californian American Viticultural Area (AVA) just north of Healdsburg in Sonoma County. It is home to many wineries and vineyards, as well as the city of Cloverdale. It is the largest and most fully planted wine region in Sonoma. Highway 101 runs through the valley, and the Russian River flows down the valley, surrounded by vineyards on both sides. From the higher elevations of the valley rim, there is a view as far south as Taylor Mountain and Sonoma Mountain. The region was named for Cyrus Alexander, owner of a part of the Rancho Sotoyome Mexican land grant, in 1847. Granted AVA status in 1984, the boundaries of the appellation are defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27, Section 9.53.
Knights Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Sonoma County, California. As one of the five original viticultural areas in the county, Knights Valley was established on October 21, 1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by The Knights Valley Wine-Growers Committee, an organization of grape/wine industry members, signed by 16 persons, to establish a viticultural area in northeastern Sonoma County named "Knights Valley." The area encompasses approximately 36,240 acres (57 sq mi) with over 30 growers cultivating 2,000 acres (809 ha) under vine. In the easternmost Sonoma County region, Knights Valley has the warmest climate in the county. The northernmost section of the boundary line runs slightly to the north of Pine Mountain; the southernmost section of the boundary line borders the petrified forest area immediately to the north of Porter Creek. The Sonoma County line bordering Lake County and Napa County forms the eastern section of the boundary of the viticultural area. The easternmost section of the boundary line abuts the boundaries for the Alexander Valley and Chalk Hill viticultural areas. The appellation is the border separating Sonoma County from the Napa Valley.
Mendocino County wine is an appellation that designates wine made from grapes grown mostly in Mendocino County, California. The region is part of the larger North Coast AVA and one of California's largest and most climatically diverse wine growing regions. Mendocino County is one of the northernmost commercial wine grape regions in the state with two distinct climate zones separated by the Mendocino Range. As of 2024, twelve American Viticultural Areas (AVA) have been designated within Mendocino County. Mendocino is one of the leading wine growing regions for organically produced wine grapes. Nearly 25% of the cultivation in Mendocino County is grown organically. In 2004, the residents of the county voted to become the first GMO-free county in the United States in an initiative that was supported by many of the county's largest wineries. The county's widespread focus on organic viticulture has inspired journalists to describe it as "California's organic wine Mecca".
Sonoma County wine is wine made in Sonoma County, California, in the United States.
Mendocino Ridge is a coastal, cool climate and high altitude American Viticultural Area (AVA) located entirely within the coastal zone of Mendocino County, California. The viticultural area was established on October 27, 1997 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. Steve Alden on behalf of the Mendocino Ridge Quality Alliance proposing a viticultural area named "Mendocino Ridge." The boundaries of the 262,400 acres (410 sq mi) AVA encompass the coastal ridges at or above 1,200 ft (366 m) in elevation adjacent to the Pacific Ocean that reach inland toward the Anderson Valley. Roughly 36 mi (58 km) of the southernmost portion of the Mendocino coastline forms the AVA western border, with the Sonoma County line as the southern boundary, the Navarro River is the northern boundary and Anderson Valley outlines the inland boundary running northwest–southeast. Mendocino Ridge is essentially a northern extension of the Sonoma Coast viticultural area. Mendocino Ridge AVA designation is unique by its elevation where vineyards lie at or above 1,200 ft (366 m). This means Mendocino Ridge is the only non-contiguous AVA in the United States. The Mendocino Ridge AVA has been nicknamed "Islands in the Sky," because the thick fog moving inland from the Pacific Ocean blankets the coast and the valleys between the ridge tops, making the tops of the mountains, where the vinyards lay, look like islands protruding from a sea of fog. Mendocino Ridge AVA lies above the Anderson Valley and Mendocino appellations. The Mendocino Ridge viticultural area contains approximately 1,500 to 2,000 acres (607–809 ha), about 2% of the total acreage, that are suitable for vineyards. The local hillsides are very steep and covered with timber, making them unfit for viticulture. Estimates of planted acres range from 233 to 410, which accounts for about 0.3% of the total area.
Los Carneros is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) which includes parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties in California, U.S.A. The 37,000 acres (58 sq mi) area was recognized on September 18, 1983 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Beaulieu Vineyards proposing to establish a viticultural area named "Los Carneros.” The proximity to the cool fog and breezes from San Pablo Bay to the south makes the climate in Los Carneros cooler and more moderate than wine regions farther north in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. The cooler climate has made Los Carneros attractive for the cultivation of cooler climate varietals like Pinot noir and Chardonnay. Many of the grapes grown in Los Carneros are used for sparkling wine production. Receiving its AVA status in 1983, the Carneros area was the first wine region in California to be defined by its climate characteristics rather than political boundaries.
The Russian River Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Sonoma County, California. Centered on the Russian River, the Russian River Valley AVA accounts for about one-sixth of the total planted vineyard acreage in Sonoma County. The appellation was granted AVA status in 1983 and enlarged in 2005. The area generally lies between Sebastopol and Santa Rosa in the south, and Forestville and Healdsburg in the north. The Russian River Valley has a characteristically cool climate, heavily affected by fog generated by the valley's proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The area is known for its success with cool climate varietals, notably Pinot noir and Chardonnay.
Mendocino is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Mendocino County, California within the vast 3,251,042 acres (5,080 sq mi) multi-county North Coast appellation. Mendocino viticultural area was established on June 15, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing a petition submitted by Mr. James A. Beckman, Vice-President of Guild Wineries and Distilleries, on behalf of 113 local viticulture industry members within Mendocino County, proposing a viticultural area to be known as "Mendocino." The viticultural area encompasses eight valleys including Anderson Valley, Potter Valley, Redwood Valley, Capella Valley, Ukiah Valley, Knights (McNab) Valley, Sanel Valley, and McDowell Valley. Several smaller sub-AVAs are nested within the Mendocino appellation that largely encompasses Mendocino County, California. Mendocino AVA is known for the cultivation of Mediterranean climate grapes including Carignan, Charbono, Grenache, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel. Because of its cooler climate, the Anderson Valley is known for its Pinot noir and sparkling wine production. Many wineries in nearby Sonoma, Napa and Lake counties source Mendocino grapes to blend into wines labeled with their appellations.
Howell Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Napa County, California and the first sub-AVA within the internationally-acclaimed Napa Valley. The 14,080 acres (22 sq mi) region was effectively recognized on January 30, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by members of the grape-growing and wine-producing industries in the area proposing to establish a viticultural area named "Howell Mountain."
The Spring Mountain District AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in the Napa Valley AVA in California. Spring Mountain District AVA was officially established as an American Viticulture Area in 1993. Encompassed within its bounds are about 8,600 acres (3,480 ha), of which about 1,000 acres (400 ha) are planted to vineyards. Given the small crop yields on hillsides, the region represents less than 2% of Napa Valley wine. Currently the region has just over 30 winegrowers.
The Leona Valley AVA is an American Viticulture Area (AVA) in northeastern Los Angeles County, California. It is located in Leona Valley within the Sierra Pelona Mountains of Southern California.
Lake County wine designates wine made from grapes grown mostly in Lake County, California. The region is located north of Napa County and east of Mendocino County. Although each region within Lake County has unique viticultural attributes, many are influenced by Clear Lake, the largest inland body of water in California.
Benmore Valley is an American Viticultural Area located in southwestern Lake County, California. The valley is named for Benjamin Moore, a local 19th century cattle rustler. The valley is a high depression in the mountains of southwestern Lake County, and is much cooler than surrounding areas.
Monterey is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in eastern Monterey County, California. It was recognized on July 16, 1984 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Monterey Winegrowers Council to establish the "Monterey" viticultural area. The designated area within the multi-county Central Coast AVA expands almost the entire length of the county from the Monterey Bay southern shoreline to the Salinas river valley framed by the Santa Lucia, Sierra de Salinas and Gabilan Ranges stretching north-south for about 100 miles (160 km) from Watsonville to its southern point, abutting the town of Paso Robles in San Luis Obispo County. Monterey AVA expands approximately 360,000 acres (560 sq mi) with about 40,000 acres (16,000 ha) of cultivated vineyards. The AVA includes parts of the Carmel and the Salinas valleys containing five smaller American viticultural areas: Arroyo Seco, Hames Valley, San Bernabe, San Lucas and Santa Lucia Highlands. The northern portion is a cool growing region with a very long growing season. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 75 °F (24 °C) in most parts of the region, although the southern segments of the AVA can measure 100 °F (38 °C) at times. The soil is sandy loam and most regions require irrigation from the Salinas River.
Snipes Mountain is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in the Yakima Valley of Washington state. It was established by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury on January 21, 2009 as the state's 10th AVA. It is the second smallest AVA in the state, after the Red Mountain AVA, and has one of the state's longest viticultural histories. The 4,145 acres (6 sq mi) appellation is a sub-AVA of the Yakima Valley AVA and the Columbia Valley AVA. It is located above and between the towns of Sunnyside and Granger around Outlook, Washington, in the southeast corner of the Yakima Valley.
Lake Chelan is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Washington state. The appellation lies about 112 miles (180 km) northeast of Seattle located in north-central Washington's Lake Chelan Valley and is a sub-appellation of the vast Columbia Valley AVA. It lies east of the Puget Sound viticultural area and north or west of the other Washington State viticultural areas. It borders the Columbia Valley viticultural area on is eastern side and does not include any portion of other Washington viticultural areas except the Columbia Valley AVA.
Eagle Peak Mendocino County is an American Viticultural Area located in Mendocino County, California and established on November 10, 2014, by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). It lies within the North Coast AVA and takes its name from the nearby Eagle Peak summit covering the mountainous area situated in the California Coastal Range just west of the Redwood Valley AVA and east of the V-shaped Mendocino AVA. It was first proposed in June 2013, designating roughly 26,260 acres (10,627 ha) and straddles U.S. Highway 101 between the towns of Ukiah and Willits. The new boundaries reduced about 1,500 and 1,900 acres from each bordering AVA to eliminate overlap with Eagle Peak Mendocino County.
Kelsey Bench-Lake County is an American Viticultural Area located in Lake County, California. The area was home to some 900 acres (360 ha) of vines across 27 vineyards when it was officially established as an AVA by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in October 2013. Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier and Riesling are the principal white grape varieties within Kelsey Bench and its neighbor the Big Valley District AVA. Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Franc varieties make up the majority of red grape plantings in the area.
Moon Mountain District Sonoma County is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) within Sonoma Valley and North Coast viticultural areas, just north of the city of Sonoma. This mountainous region on the very eastern edge of Sonoma County has a historic reputation for producing rich, intensely-flavored wines from Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah varietals since the 1880s. The District was established on November 1, 2013, by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Its designation covers 17,663 acres (28 sq mi) of land stretching north-south along the western slopes of the Mayacamas mountains between Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and Los Carneros viticultural area with the Napa Valley’s Mount Veeder viticultural area outlining the eastern slopes. Its name is derived from Moon Mountain Road, which traverses through the area and itself a reference to Sonoma, which means 'valley of the moon' in the local Native American dialect. A clear view to San Francisco 50 miles (80 km) south is not uncommon from Moon Mountain District vineyards.
Upper Lake Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Lake County, California, established in June 2022 and encompassing 17,360 acres (70.3 km2). The appellation lies between 1,326 feet (404 m) and 2,820 feet (860 m) in a series of valleys north of the unincorporated towns of Upper Lake and south of the Mendocino National Forest, and a stretch of Clear Lake's north shore which extends from Upper Lake in the west to the unincorporated community of Nice to the east. The Elk Mountain Valley AVA designation was originally suggested, but after consultation with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), it was abandoned in 2018 for the more encompassing Upper Lake Valley appellation.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Establishment of the Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak Viticultural Area" (27 CFR Part 9 [Docket No. TTB–2010–0003; T.D. TTB–96; Notice Nos. 105, 107, and 112] RIN 1513–AB41 Final Rule). Federal Register . 76 (208). Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), Treasury: 66629–66637. October 27, 2011.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - 1 2 "Pine Mountain Cloverdale Peak (AVA): Appellation Profile". Appellation America. 2011. Archived from the original on March 2, 2024. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ↑ Bussewitz, Cathy (November 11, 2011). "Pine Mountain becomes 14th viticultural area in Sonoma County". The Press Democrat. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018.
- ↑ Swan, Fred (December 30, 2011). "Spotlight on the Pine Mountain-Cloverdale Peak AVA". NorCal Wine.
