Bennet Valley Viticultural Area

The Bennett Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in Sonoma County, California. The Bennett Valley AVA's total area is 8,140 acres of which 650 acres are planted vineyards. The Bennett Valley appellation lies completely within the North Coast AVA. Most of Bennett Valley's AVA are within the Sonoma Valley AVA and partially overlaps some of the Sonoma Mountain AVA and Sonoma Coast AVA.

Bennett Valley was granted AVA status on December 23, 2003 following the petition of Matanzas Creek Winery. The AVA is surrounded to the south, east and west by the Sonoma Mountains and by the city of Santa Rosa California, which is directly north.

The Bennett Valley AVA receives Coastal fog and cool breeze which flows in from the Pacific Ocean. The Cool breeze and fog finds its way into the area from the southwest through Crane Canyon between Sonoma Mountain and Taylor Mountain to create cool nights and morning conditions. The fog loosens its grip and gives way to the hot mid-day temperatures of the Bennett Valley.

Chalk Hill Viticultural Area

The Chalk Hill AVA is an American Viticultural Area that was established in 1983, it is located in Sonoma County, California. The boundary of the Chalk Hill appellation covers the northeast corner of the Russian River Valley AVA, its neighbor to the north is the Alexander Valley. The majority of the vineyards are located to the east of U.S. Route 101, near the town of Windsor and Healdsburg California.

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 slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains.

The boundaries of the Chalk Hill AVA covers 33 square miles of land within the northeast corner of Russian River AVA. The Chalk Hill Appellation is 1,600 acres of which 1,000 acres are planted vineyard land. Most of Chalk Hill's Appellation vineyard planting takes place along the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountain reaching up to altitudes of 200-1300 feet. Compared to the rest of the Russian River Valley, the Chalk Hill region is relatively warm due to the influence of a thermal belt that runs through the area.

Dry Creek Valley Viticultural Area

The Dry Creek Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County, California, located northwest of the town of Healdsburg. The valley is formed by Dry Creek, a tributary of the Russian River, and is approximately 16 miles long and 2 miles wide. The Dry Creek Valley AVA stretches its way northwest from the southern edge of Healdsburg California to the Lake Sonoma area, where it overlaps with the Rock Pile AVA.

The Dry Creek Valley AVA is approximately 10,000 acres, of which approximately 9,300 acres is planted. The Dry Creek Valley AVA is home to approximately 58 wineries.

The appellation benefits from the close proximately of the Lake Sonoma reservoir for irrigation in this relatively dry area. Coastal fog from the Pacific Ocean, (Jenner area) finds its way up the Russian River Valley and then fallows its way up the Dry Creek to create cool nights and morning conditions. The fog loosens its grip and gives way to the hot mid-day temperatures prevalent in a relatively warm growing area.

Green Valley of the Russian River Valley

The Green Valley of Russian River Valley AVA (formerly Sonoma County Green Valley AVA) is an American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County, California. The Green Valley of the Russian River Valley is 19,000 acres, of which 15,000 acres are planted. The Green Valley of the Russian River Valley was initially designated in 1983, under the name Sonoma County
Green Valley AVA. The name was amended to the Green Valley of the Russian River Valley in 2007.

The Green Valley of the Russian River Valley is located toward the southwestern corner of the Russian River Valley AVA. It is approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on location; this close proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes it one of the coolest appellations in Sonoma County.

The temperature in the Green Valley is the coolest area of the Russian River Valley; this favors the growing of varietals like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer, which are cool climate varietals.

Knights Valley Viticultural Area

Knights Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County. The Knights Valley AVA is located on the northeastern edge of Sonoma County. The Alexander Valley on west, Chalk Hill AVA on the southwest and the Napa Valley on the east surround the Knights Valley. The Knights Valley AVA is approximately 37,00 acres, of which 2,000 acres are planted vineyard. The Knights Valley was established as an American Viticultural area in 1983.

The Knights Valley AVA has one of the warmest climates in the Sonoma County wine growing region. The Knights Valley has a variable climate of warm days and cool nights, which is an ideal environment for growing Bordeaux grape varieties. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most prevalent varietal. Also grown in this area are; Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Syrah, among other small portions of planted grape varietals.

Los Carneros Viticultural Area

Los Carneros AVA (also known as Carneros AVA) is an American Viticultural Area located on both the southern edges of Sonoma and Napa Valleys. The Los Carneros AVA's southern edge sits right on the San Pablo Bay. The Los Carneros AVA is approximately 90 square miles, of which 1,100 acres are planted vineyard. The Los Carneros AVA was established as an American Viticultural Area in 1983.

The Los Carneros AVA is a cool breezy climate that is ideal for the following varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Many of the grapes grown in Los Carneros are used for sparkling wine production.

Rockpile Viticultural Area

The Rockpile AVA is an American Viticultural Area located next to the Dry Creek AVA. The Rockpile AVA is approx- imately 15,400 acres, of which 160 acres are planted vineyards. The Rockpile AVA was established in 2002.

The Rockpile AVA is in excess of 800 feet some of the vineyards planted can be seen above on the hillside from the Lake Sonoma area. The elevation of the Rockpile area allows it to receive the Pacific Ocean breeze.

Even though the Rockpile area can be breezy it still can get quite warm during the day, but as time goes by the heat gives into the cool night air. This appellation does well for the varietals such as; The Rockpile AVA is an American Viticultural Area located next to the Dry Creek AVA. The Rockpile AVA is approximately 15,400 acres, of which 160 acres are planted vineyards. The Rockpile AVA was established in 2002.

The Rockpile AVA is in excess of 800 feet some of the vineyards planted can be seen above on the hillside from the Lake Sonoma area. The elevation of the Rockpile area allows it to receive the Pacific Ocean breeze. Even though the Rockpile area can be breezy it still can get quite warm during the day, but as time goes by the heat gives into the cool night air. This appellation does well for the varietals such as; Cabernet Sauvignon , Petite Sirah and Zinfandel.

Russian River Viticultural Area

The Russian River Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County. The Russian River Valley became an AVA in 1983. The Russian River Valley is approx- imately 96,000 acres, of which 10,000 acres are planted vineyard.

The Russian River Valley is bordered by Santa Rosa and Sebastopol on the southern side and Forestville, Windsor and Healdsburg on its western, northern and northeast sides.

The climate of the Russian River Valley is a cooler climate compared to other appellations in Sonoma. The Russian River Valley is cooler in the morning and evening hours, mostly due to the Pacific Ocean's fog and cool breeze, this however tapers off as the day goes on and the temperature increases. Varietals that do good in this area are the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes.

Sonoma Coast Viticultural Area

The Sonoma Coast AVA is an American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County. The Sonoma Coast AVA was grated AVA status in 1987. The Sonoma Coast AVA is 500,000 acres; it stretches along the Pacific Ocean coastline.

The Sonoma Coast AVA is so vast it is home to many microclimates, but overall is relatively a cool climate.

Sonoma Mountain Viticultural Area

The Sonoma Mountain AVA is an American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County. The Sonoma Mountain AVA was established in 1985. The Sonoma Mountain AVA is approximately 5,000 acres. The Sonoma Mountain AVA is bordered on the west by Sonoma Valley and Napa Valley on the east. The small little town of Glen Ellen can be found in this appellation. The Highest point of the Sonoma Mountain is 2463 and stretches southeastward from Santa Rosa 15 miles to the Los Carneros AVA.

The Sonoma mountain is home to several microclimates that form within the crevices and contours of the hillside terrain. The grape varietals that do well in this area are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Zinfandel.

Sonoma Valley Viticultural Area

The Sonoma Valley AVA is an American Viticultural Area in Sonoma County, It was established as an American Viticultural Area in 1981. The Sonoma Valley AVA is 60,065 acres and is located in the southeastern part of Sonoma County. The Sonoma Valley lays between two mountain ranges, the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the Sonoma Mountain to the west. The Sonoma Valley AVA is a warm AVA during the day, but is influenced by cool air from the San Pablo Bay and even the Pacific Ocean. There are several grape varietals that grow in this appellation.