Sonoma County Micro-climates

Wine country properties have been coveted by mankind for thousands of years. What is it about living in an area surrounded by one of the oldest crops known to mankind? One good explanation aside from the sheer beauty and romance of it all is the perfect weather. Within the Sonoma wine country there are as many micro climates as varietals of grape. Each one a little different from the next, and more often than not, one perfect for you. A general trend being warm sunny days give way to cooling Pacific air in the evenings. Sonoma’s constant ebb and flow are harmonious with the human condition.

Alexander Valley (AVA)

The Alexander Valley AVA sits at the top of Sonoma County with about 15,000 acres of prized vineyards. Within the 76,000 total acres of this AVA, there are a variety of microclimates supporting a substantial range of grape varieties. Just enough coastal fog finds its way up the <http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Russian-River-Valley.html>Russian River Valley to create cool evening and morning conditions. This, however, gives way to hot mid-day temperatures in what is overall a relatively warm growing area. Alexander Valley is ringed by hillside homes with views of the vineyards and valley below.

Bennett Valley (AVA)

Bennett Valley is surrounded by the Sonoma Mountain Range on three sides and the city of Santa Rosa to the north. Crane Canyon to the southwest is a gap between Sonoma Mountain and Taylor Mountain which allows in the cooling coastal fog and breezes from the northern Pacific Coast.

Carneros ~ Los Carneros (AVA)

Los Carneros – The Rams. Cooler with more wind, the AVA has thin soils and little rainfall. During the day, as the sun heats up the vineyards and mountainsides of Napa Valley to the north, the rising hot air draws cool air and fog from San Pablo Bay. The intrusion of fog over Carneros in the early afternoon moderates the vineyard temperatures, providing just the right conditions for growing cool-climate varietals.

Chalk Hill (AVA)

Occupying the northeast corner of the larger Russian River AVA, Chalk Hill is named for its unique, volcanically-derived, chalky white ash soils. These mildly fertile soils lend themselves to the production of excellent whites, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The appellation has over 1,000 acres under vine, enjoying a warmer climate relative to the rest of the Russian River Valley. Due to the higher elevation of this viticulture area, vineyards escape much of the cooling fog that regularly shrouds the lower-lying growing areas near the river. Chalk Hill is a beautiful Sunday drive, taking in only the front gates and winding drives of the private estates up in the hills.

Dry Creek Valley (AVA)

Dry Creek Valley is first, a rural valley of small family wineries; yet, it is also a favorite location for clients seeking to set up residence in an ideal wine country setting! Zinfandel is number #1 and Sauvignon Blanc is the valley’s signature white grape although Dry Creek Valley is feeling the power of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the unchallenged ruler and rising star, respectively, of California wine.. Dry Creek’s western end is anchored by “Lake Sonoma” -- a reservoir created to ensure a steady supply of fresh water for the vineyards downstream. The valley is warm and get warmer as one heads north, where the ocean influence in the form of fog has a harder time reaching.

Green Valley of Russian River Valley (AVA)

Sonoma County’s Green Valley viticulture area is a small swath of land that takes a southwestern slice from the larger Russian River Valley AVA. Because of its location, Green Valley has more exposure to the Pacific’s cooling effect. While most of the Russian River Valley is rated as cool, the Green Valley sub-appellation is even cooler. Considering the tender fruit crops that flourish here, such as apples and berries - fruit more associated with cooler places like New England and Washington State - one should not be surprised by local choices for wine grapes. These include the Burgundian varietals Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as Alsatian favorites like Gewürztraminer.

Knights Valley (AVA)

Picturesque and the warmest of Sonoma County’s viticulture areas, Knights Valley derives its heat from its lofty position, high on hills and beyond the reach of the Pacific Ocean. Geographically, the appellation separates the rest of Sonoma County from Napa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon remains the star attraction in the 2,000 acres of vineyards of Knights Valley.

Rockpile (AVA)

Rockpile AVA is a remote, high-country growing area, where the unforgiving terrain and soils stress the vines into ripening. The demanding landscape brings out the best in Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Perched at elevations up to 1,900 feet, Rockpile is too far upland for the penetrating fogs that influence other Sonoma appellations. This exposes grapes to more California warmth and sunshine, boosting their ripeness and richness. Rockpile is a northern extension of the Dry Creek Valley AVA.

Russian River Valley (AVA)

One sixth of Sonoma County's total vineyard acreage falls within the Russian River AVA boundaries, with all vineyards sharing to varying degrees the defining characteristic of cooling fog that is drawn inland from the Pacific almost daily. The appellation is internationally renowned for challenging varieties like Pinot Noir, which excels in this mild climate, yielding highly expressive wines.

Sonoma Coast (AVA)

Comprising more than half a million acres with roughly 7,000 acres under vine. Cool climate and relatively high rainfall are the general ecological features shared by all vineyards within the Sonoma Coast AVA. These factors contribute to slow grape maturation, with optimum ripeness coinciding with the very end of the growing season. The appellation stretches as far south as San Pablo Bay, right up to the Mendocino County line.

Sonoma Valley (AVA)

Framed by the Sonoma Mountains to the west and the Mayacamas Mountains to the east, is what is know as the Valley of the Moon.  Sonoma Mountain reduces the Pacific's cool, wet influence on the Valley of the Moon so 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 viticulture areas and their distinctive terroirs.

Sonoma Mountain (AVA)

The beautiful 2,400-foot Sonoma Mountain range begins to rise above the towns of Glen Ellen and Sonoma at the western edge of the Valley of the Moon. Found here are high-altitude, steep-sloped vineyards, with eastern exposures to catch the fog-free morning sun. Strong yet elegant Cabernet Sauvignons – the appellation’s specialty – are grown here on its well-drained soils. The irregular folds and crevices of the mountain slopes also create microclimates suitable for limited production of a diverse range of other varieties, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, as well as Pinot Noir and some Zinfandel.

An informative and entertaining way to learn about the wine country’s weather is to study the wine grape appellation maps.